Guardian Revival Blog

Information & resources about our programs, outdoor adventures, dogs, music, peer support, mental health, and wellness.

Guardian Revival is a non-profit with free programs for guardians (active & retired): Veterans, Active Military, Reserve, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents.

G-Connect Kevin Davis G-Connect Kevin Davis

Winter Sports Snow Day with ShredVets

Thunder Ridge provided complimentary lift tickets for all of the guardians, and both ShredVets and Thunder Ridge provided free lessons for anyone who wanted them. The day was a special opportunity for our guardians to connect with each other and to ShredVets.

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Another Summit Kevin Davis Another Summit Kevin Davis

Zealand Falls Snowshoe Adventure

Another Summit’s winter 2024 High Adventure to the New Hampshire White Mountains. Our weekend featured frigid temperatures, but we had fun and stayed warm between our snowshoeing treks, cozy AMC huts, and hot meals. Our team successfully reached the summit of Mt. Hale, one of New Hampshire’s 46 4,000-foot peaks.

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Another Summit Katherine Conaway Another Summit Katherine Conaway

Another Summit’s 2024 High & Epic Adventures

Our High and Epic Adventures are world-class opportunities to experience multi-day backcountry adventures led by a team of trained outdoor experts. Learn the ropes of backpacking or canoe camping, spend several days in beautiful, remote wilderness, and bond with your fellow guardians — all at no cost.

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Another Summit Katherine Conaway Another Summit Katherine Conaway

Knots, Tarps, and Teamwork: Outdoor Skills Workshop

Another Summit taught a workshop at the New York State Outdoor Education Association’s Winter Weekend — we focused on two fundamental outdoor skills: knotwork and tarp construction. Our teams learned three types of tarp pitches (lean-to, plow point, and C-fly) and three essential knots (trucker’s hitch, bowline, and taut-line hitch), and competed in a team activity you can try yourself!

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Another Summit Kevin Davis Another Summit Kevin Davis

Layering for Winter Adventures

Hiking in the winter months offers less crowded trails, fewer bugs, and you can enjoy spectacular views that are usually blocked by the foliage — enjoy the sight of stunning, snow-blanketed vistas. Learn the basic layers you’ll need, plus traction, flotation, and sun protection, so you can be prepared to enjoy a winter wonderland.

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Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis

The Star-Spangled Banner: Our Tribute to the Sacrifice of Guardians on 9/11

The significance of our national anthem isn’t just confined to one historical event — it extends to moments throughout our history that remind us of what it means to be an American, like this heartfelt rendition of the song played by veteran Brian Freeman in honor of the guardians who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of others on 9/11.

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Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

A New Year: 2024

As we embark on another year, we stay humble and focused on our mission to improve the lives of our guardians. Our mindset for 2024 is to make the world a better place and help who we can. We look forward to another year dedicated to veterans & first responders, and we are grateful to have you be part of our journey. Happy New Year!

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2023 Recap: A Year of Impact & Growth

We've hit so many measurable milestones this year, and there are countless more meaningful moments we can't quantify — in groups of guardians and one-on-one with individuals. Thank you for your support, for being part of our extended Guardian Revival family, and for helping us improve the lives of our veterans & first responders.

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January 2024 Events

Start the year off right by joining us for outdoor adventures, a companion dog awarding, iRest meditation, mobility, yoga, peer support, music jams, and more. With both virtual events and in-person gatherings, there’s something for everyone.

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Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway Guardian Revival Katherine Conaway

Happy Holidays!

As we approach the end of the year, we wanted to share our gratitude for all of you — all the guardians, everywhere; our staff and volunteers; our donors, sponsors, and supporters. Thank you for everything you do for us, each other, and our guardians. Our team at Guardian Revival wishes you happy holidays!

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Guardian Revival, Champions, Boots & Paws Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Champions, Boots & Paws Kevin Davis

Guardian Champions: TCS New York City Marathon

On November 5th, 2023, over 51,000 athletes from 148 countries came together for the iconic New York City Marathon. Among them were 5 runners competing as Guardian Champions: Mackenzie Burns, Rob Williams, Phil Schwarz, Brendan Melanophy, and Luke Norman — and they collectively raised over $52,000 for our Boots & Paws companion dog program!

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Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis Guardian Revival, Encore Kevin Davis

2023 Best Gifts for Music Lovers

Our music program, Encore, provides opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music. Program Executive Director Matthew Sorena has provided us with some of his favorite gear for performing and recording music so that you can find the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift for the music lover in your life.

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2023 Guardian Revival Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for gift ideas for your loved ones, friends, coworkers, adventure buddies, or furry friends? Our holiday gift guide is brought to you by the team at Guardian Revival. Thanks to our wide range of expertise (and hobbies!), we’ve got recommendations for those on a path for self-improvement & exploration, creatives, both aspiring & skilled musicians, outdoor lovers & athletes, and canine companions.

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Boots & Paws Katherine Conaway Boots & Paws Katherine Conaway

2023 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers

Our Boots & Paws program provides companion dogs to veterans and first responders for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship. Program Executive Director Rachel Hill and Operations Manager Cassie Hansen have pulled together some of their favorite products for taking care of their personal pups, as well as what we use with our dogs & recommend to guardians.

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9th Annual Veterans Appreciation Chow Down

The Veterans Appreciation Chow Down is a special annual event where we bring hundreds of local veterans together to show our appreciation, celebrate, and break bread together. Guardian Revival hosted the 9th Annual Veterans Appreciation Chow Down at the Putnam County Golf Course on November 5, 2023.

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