Written by: Rachel Brauner
Each year, approximately 200,000 U.S. military service members and veterans transition to civilian life, and as many as 62% experience challenges during this reintegration period (Romaniuk et al., 2020; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023). This transition is rarely straightforward. Veterans may face complex health concerns, including service-connected injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alongside the emotional and logistical stressors of adapting to civilian routines. These challenges extend beyond the individual, often straining family relationships and increasing the caregiving demands placed on spouses and children (Hicks et al., 2025). Emerging research emphasizes the value of family-centered recreation and leisure programs as a complementary approach to traditional support services, offering opportunities to strengthen family bonds, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being for military-connected populations and their families.
What the Research Reveals
The qualitative study conducted by Hicks et al. (2025) involved in-depth interviews with 18 veterans who participated in family-serving recreation and leisure programs through America’s Warrior Partnership. These programs encompassed a wide range of activities designed to support both individual and family well-being. Veterans engaged in outdoor adventure activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, and ropes courses, which provided opportunities for physical challenge and team building. Family retreats and camps offered structured bonding experiences and communication workshops aimed at strengthening family connections. Adaptive sports, including recumbent biking and whitewater kayaking, allowed veterans with physical limitations to participate fully in recreational activities. In addition, group recreational outings such as fishing trips, tennis camps, and nature-based experiences created opportunities for social interaction, skill-building, and relaxation in supportive environments.
Veterans described how these experiences provided individual benefits, including:
- Relaxation and escape from the pressures of daily life. One veteran explained that leaving home for a weekend retreat gave him the space to “focus and isolate a couple of things…in a relaxed manner” (Hicks et al., 2025, p. 84).
- Motivation to be active, with many participants trying adaptive recreation activities that reignited interest in hobbies they once loved.
- Sense of acceptance and clarity, helping veterans process new identities, whether related to injuries or post-service roles.
- Comradery with peers, as group programs provided the “missing key” of social connection with fellow veterans (Hicks et al., 2025, p. 85).
At the family level, participants reported:
- Strengthened family bonds, where programs like family camps and outdoor retreats offered time to reconnect away from daily stressors.
- Improved communication skills, with veterans learning to express needs and emotions more effectively, a critical skill for families navigating PTSD or caregiving stress.
- Role adjustment within families, as programs facilitated discussions and activities that helped spouses and children adapt to changes caused by injuries or deployment (Hicks et al., 2025).
- Opportunities for children to process experiences, such as learning about PTSD or seeing their parent participate in challenging but safe recreation activities.
Implications for Providers
For professionals serving caregivers and individuals with disabilities, this research emphasizes the therapeutic value of recreation and leisure programs. Such initiatives can:
- Offer respite for caregivers, reducing stress and preventing burnout.
- Normalize family experiences through structured peer interactions that reduce feelings of isolation.
- Foster emotional intelligence and problem-solving, as families practice communication and role-setting in supportive environments.
- Encourage physical activity and engagement in adaptive sports, improving both physical health and mental well-being.
Practical Strategies for Implementation
Providers can translate these insights into actionable strategies:
- Offer family-inclusive retreats that combine outdoor recreation with communication or relationship workshops.
- Incorporate adaptive recreation options—like recumbent biking or rock climbing with safety support—to engage military-connected populations with physical limitations.
- Facilitate peer-to-peer learning, allowing families to share strategies for coping with reintegration and caregiving challenges.
- Include mental health and caregiving education tailored for spouses and children, fostering understanding and resilience.
A Summer of Renewal and Connection
As summer draws to a close, these findings remind us of the healing power of shared outdoor experiences. Whether it’s paddling across a quiet lake, conquering a ropes course together, or simply gathering around a campfire at a family retreat, recreation and leisure programs create moments that strengthen families and restore a sense of hope. For providers, embracing these opportunities can turn the end of summer into a season of renewed connection, resilience, and shared joy for military-connected families.
References
Hicks, N. R., Sharaievska, I., Tsykalova, L., Townsend, J., & Miller, B. L. (2025). Veteran perspectives on family-serving recreation and leisure programs. Journal of Veterans Studies, 11(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v11i1.675
Romaniuk, M., Fisher, G., Kidd, C., & Batterham, P. J. (2020). Assessing psychological adjustment and cultural reintegration after military service: development and psychometric evaluation of the post-separation military-civilian adjustment and reintegration measure (M-CARM). BMC Psychiatry, 20, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02936-y
US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). (2023). Outreach, transition, and economic development. https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp#
*Image Source: iStock Photo 1356431002; SDI Productions
