When Bob Adwar recalls the moment a veteran told his wife he “finally had a reason to live,” his voice deepens—not with grief, but with the quiet strength of hope rediscovered. The veteran had just returned from a weeklong fishing trip in Alaska, organized by the River Deep Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit helping trauma survivors heal through outdoor adventures and adaptive support.
Founded on the belief that recovery often begins far from a doctor’s office, River Deep leads participants on trips that focus on healing—fly fishing through alpine streams, horseback riding along mountain trails, rounds of golf in rolling meadows, and even sculpting sessions in sunlit studios. Each adventure is chosen not just for the joy it sparks, but for its ability to connect survivors with the power of nature. “These adventures are a vehicle for healing,” says Adwar, Deep River’s executive director.
River Deep’s model is simple yet profound: every outing is completely free, deeply personal, and intentionally intimate. With a one-to-two or one-to-three instructor-to-participant ratio, the ability to form genuine connections and trust can be rebuilt—often one of the first things trauma takes away. That sense of connection runs deep. Participants are encouraged to bring spouses, children, and loved ones along, creating shared memories that strengthen bonds. “If it’s art, fencing, whatever, it doesn’t matter,” Adwar emphasizes. “If you love it and your family can do it too, then it’s a home run.”
To remove physical barriers, River Deep partners with six universities—including the Colorado School of Mines and CU Boulder—where engineering students help design custom adaptive gear. From electronic fishing rods for limited hand mobility to archery bows modified with mouth tabs or one-handed releases, the innovations restore access to activities participants once loved and thought they lost.
While Adwar dreams of more extensive trips, like their signature Montana fishing adventure, he says it’s often the smallest moments that carry the most weight. “Seeing those smiles after just two or three hours, you realize how little it takes to shift someone’s world. They almost always ask, ‘When can I do this again?’”
The River Deep Foundation runs on community support. Whether you donate, volunteer, or sponsor an outing, your support doesn’t just open the door to adventure—it helps someone take their next step toward healing.
