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):
Active Military, Veterans, Reserves, National Guard, Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Federal Agents.
Top 5 Tips For Fall Hiking in New York
Fall can be one of the best seasons for hiking, there are a few things outdoor enthusiasts should keep in mind before dusting off their flannel and hitting the trail.
To help nature lovers ready to lace up their hiking boots and enjoy some of the best fall hikes in New York, Henri de la Vega (our Another Summit Director of Outdoor Adventure and Education) is bringing you his top five expert tips for fall hiking.
One Mile Challenge: Why We Walk
In September, we walk together for the One Mile Challenge to support & honor veterans and first responders affected by trauma and mental health struggles. Learn why we walk and share your own stories & reflections on OMC to help raise awareness and support suicide prevention in our community.
One Mile Challenge: Good For Our Guardians, Good For You.
Walking one mile a day can significantly impact your mental, physical, and emotional health. By signing up for Guardian Revival’s One Mile Challenge, you can show your support for veterans and first responders and do something great for your well-being at the same time.
2023 Annual Report
2023 was a remarkable year of growth & service for Guardian Revival. We served thousands of guardians across the nation, established new capabilities, built substantial partnerships with other non-profit organizations, managed the NYS Outdoor RX Coalition, and more. See more milestones in our 2023 Annual Impact Report.
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.
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.
Top 5 Snowshoeing Trails in the Hudson Valley
When the winter season wraps the Hudson Valley in a soft blanket of snow, outdoor adventure enthusiasts have the opportunity to engage in a different kind of hike — snowshoeing.
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!
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.
2024 Outdoor Adventures with Another Summit
Elevate your outdoor experiences to new heights with Another Summit. We have an expansive array of thrilling opportunities designed to immerse veterans and first responders in the great outdoors — from day outings to fieldcraft survival skills courses to multiday canoe expeditions and epic backpacking trips!
NAMI Homefront for Families & Friends of Veterans & Service Members
A free online course for family, friends, and significant others of military service members and veterans. Parents, partners, children, and close friends are welcome! Learn how to better understand and support your loved one — and better maintain your own well-being. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
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.
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.
December 2023 Events
End your year on a high note by joining us for winter adventures, mobility, meditation, music, peer support, and more. With both virtual and in-person events available, there’s something for everyone.
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.
Veterans Day 2023
In recognition of Veterans Day last weekend, Guardian Revival hosted hikes with Another Summit on the Popolopen Torne Loop (with the living monument at its peak), a breakfast for veterans with Congressman Pat Ryan, and a public Veterans Day Ceremony at the Beacon VMB (GR HQ) on Saturday, November 11.
What is a Guardian Revival Champion?
Champions are athletes who compete under the Guardian Revival banner to break mental health stigmas & raise awareness so we can improve the lives of veterans & first responders. No matter what sport you play, course you race, or endeavor you take on, we are honored that you want our wings on your back — and that you have our guardians’ backs.
GR on TV: Veteran’s Playbook Episode
This episode of Veteran’s Playbook featured Guardian Revival & Alex Othmer as a “compelling story of a U.S. veteran entrepreneur and their unique life, career, and venture.” Originally aired on November 1, 2023, on Discovery Network’s Destination America channel.
iRest Meditation: Discovering a Sense of Inner Peace in a Chaotic World
Developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Richard Miller in the late early 2000s, the practice is called Integrative Restoration (later shortened to iRest) because it “helps us to integrate emotions, thoughts, and psychology, as well as restore us to our true wellness as human beings.”
One Mile Challenge 2023 Recap
It's been a week since we completed our second annual One Mile Challenge, and we're excited to share a review of how the month went. 919 people joined in to walk over 27,000 miles and raise over $115,000!