Another great program that is offered to wounded warriors at no charge is Project Odyssey. The name Odyssey comes from Homer's epic poem about overcoming adversity and finding the way home, and was picked for good reason because Project Odyssey helps warriors overcome combat stress through outdoor activities, rehabilitative retreats that encourage a connection with nature, your peers, staff members, and trained counselors. Now the program offers three stages to choose from Project Odyssey regional, national, and International and they are all 3-7 days long
Regional- Helps wounded warriors take the first step to recovery by connecting them with fellow wounded warriors in their community and region. These events usually last about 3 days and are spent fishing, hunting, or anything outdoors they the men or women would be interested in, with counseling done at nights
National- gets warriors from all around the country together for an intense bonding experience like no other. This event last from 5 to 7 days and consist of all kinds of things like hiking, river rafting,horseback riding, and skiing
International- this program was made mostly for wounded warriors to start their recovery while still active duty. This event is hosted at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and WWP will soon offer this event to Warrior Transition Units throughout Europe also.
But don't think this is just some vacation for these warriors, it is much more then that. Project Odyssey is just using the outdoors as a means to help these men and women find the courage and inner strength to continue there journey to recovery. Project Odyssey also feels that through these activities warriors will build new skills, connect with fellow wounded warriors, and find support for combat stress among Wounded Warrior Project staff and trained counselors. Because what better way to cope with the mental and physical stress of coming home and having to adjust to civilian life with disabilities, then with warriors who know what you are going through.
But the program does not end once these warriors go home. No Project Odyssey staff members keep in close contact with all the participants to make sure they are doing fine and let them know they can come in anytime for counseling.
here is a video of a surfing trip Project Odyssey hosted.
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