the trip that changes things

A group of veteran hikers with backpacks walking in a single file line on a trail through a colorful autumn forest, with tall pine trees and mountains in the background.

what is a vltat?

vltat - veteran lead therapeutic adventure trip

THIS IS NOT A RETREAT. IT IS NOT THERAPY. IT IS NOT A HANDOUT.

FOUR DAYS IN MONTANA'S BACKCOUNTRY — FLOATING A RIVER OR HIKING STEEP TERRAIN — WITH A SMALL GROUP OF VETERANS LED BY VETERANS.

YOU CARRY WEIGHT. YOU COVER GROUND. YOU SLEEP OUTSIDE. AND SOMEWHERE IN THAT DISCOMFORT, SOMETHING SHIFTS.

EVERY TRIP CARRIES THE PIG EGG — 75 POUNDS OF DOG TAGS REPRESENTING EVERY SERVICE MEMBER LOST IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. IT GOES WHERE YOU GO.

2027 MISSION schedule

*these are general dates. specific dates will be released in january 2027*

Icon of three figures in a raft, one at the bow, one rowing in the middle, one at the stern, flying a small flag, linking to Montana Vet Program's Float trips.

FLOAT · MAY 2027

SPOUSE FLOAT · JUNE 2027

Icon of hikers carrying backpacks single file, linking to Montana Vet Program's Hike trips.

HIKE · AUGUST 2027

SPOUSE HIKE · SEPTEMBER 2027

Icon of an adult and child walking together with a bird dog, linking to Montana Vet Program's Sportsman program.

UPLAND BIRD HUNT · SEPTEMBER 2027

BIG GAME HUNT · OCTOBER 2027

SHOULDER ELK HUNT · DECEMBER 2027

COLORADO BIRD HUNT · DECEMBER 2027

Hikers crossing a fallen log over a mountain stream in a dense forest with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.

SPOUSE TRIP

Some of our trips are open to spouses. That means exactly one thing: the veteran's legal spouse, not another family member, not a plus one. Your spouse does not need to be a veteran to join you, but they do need to fill out their own interest form. After that, we automatically send a longer follow up form asking for military and medical history, so we can care for them correctly and place them on the right trip.

A spouse can also join us without their veteran if the veteran has passed away, is physically unable to attend, or the couple is divorced, with proof of marriage required. We treat the spouses who stood behind our veterans with the same respect we give the veterans themselves.

I AM INTERESTED