Serving veterans and military families across Texas
    MilVet Transitions

    MilVet Outdoor Experience

    Get Outside. Reconnect. Recharge. Making time outdoors part of your personal and family self-care routine.

    A program for every veteran and military family

    You don't have to climb a mountain

    The MilVet Outdoor Experience encourages veterans, service members, military spouses, and military families to make time outdoors part of their self-care routine. You don't have to hike 20 miles or be an experienced outdoorsman — it's about intentionally stepping outside, disconnecting from everyday stress, spending time with people who matter, and discovering what nature and outdoor recreation have to offer.

    What counts as an Outdoor Experience?

    Participants can create their own Outdoor Experience or join MilVet and community-partner activities throughout Central Texas. An Outdoor Experience can include:

    • Hiking or walking a trail
    • Fishing
    • Camping
    • Kayaking or paddleboarding
    • Biking
    • Visiting a Texas State Park
    • Wildlife viewing
    • Outdoor photography
    • Family picnics
    • Boating or swimming
    • Geocaching
    • Volunteering at a park or conservation project
    • Attending an outdoor veteran event
    • Exploring a new natural area with family or another veteran

    Explore Texas with MilVet

    MilVet Transitions encourages participants to take advantage of the incredible resources available through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and other community partners.

    Over time this could grow to include MilVet Family Camping Weekends, Veteran Fishing Days, Family Trail Days, kayaking experiences, park cleanups, outdoor education, and peer-led outings across Central Texas.

    The MilVet Outdoor Ambassador Challenge

    One Outdoor Experience. One Photo. Every Year.

    Meaningful change can start with something simple: get outside at least once this year. The Outdoor Ambassador Challenge recognizes veterans, service members, military spouses, military families, and community supporters who intentionally make outdoor recreation part of their self-care — and encourage others to do the same.

    1

    Get outside

    Complete at least one outdoor activity during the calendar year.

    2

    Capture the experience

    Take a photo during the activity.

    3

    Share your experience

    Submit the photo to MilVet Transitions or post it publicly using #MilVetOutdoorAmbassador and #MilVetTransitions.

    4

    Inspire someone else

    Encourage another veteran, service member, military spouse, family member, or friend to get outside.

    5

    Earn recognition

    Receive an annual MilVet Outdoor Ambassador Certificate of Completion from MilVet Transitions and participating community partners.

    No one is ever required to publicly identify themselves as a veteran or disclose personal or health information — a private photo-submission option is always available.

    Annual recognition

    Ambassador levels

    One experience is all that is required to become a MilVet Outdoor Ambassador. The additional levels simply encourage participants who want to do more — and turn getting outside into an annual tradition.

    Outdoor Ambassador

    Complete 1 outdoor experience

    Trail Ambassador

    Complete 3 different outdoor experiences

    Adventure Ambassador

    Complete 6 outdoor experiences

    MilVet Outdoor Champion

    Complete 12 outdoor experiences — one each month

    Each certificate carries the year — for example, 2026 MilVet Outdoor Ambassador — so the challenge becomes an annual tradition, not a one-time award.

    Texas State Park Challenge

    ★ Texas State Park Experience

    Complete your Outdoor Experience at a Texas State Park and earn a special additional designation on your annual certificate. Veterans and current service members have an especially good reason to participate:

    Community partners

    Become a MilVet Outdoor Community Partner

    Local organizations can support the program by sponsoring experiences, providing equipment, hosting activities, donating recognition items, providing transportation, or helping veterans and families access outdoor recreation. VFW and DAV posts, Texas Parks & Wildlife, outdoor retailers, municipalities, county parks, fishing organizations, and local businesses are all welcome — it's a tangible way to stand with the military and veteran community.

    Partner With Us

    Become a MilVet Outdoor Ambassador

    Your challenge is simple: get outside once this year. Take your family fishing. Walk a trail with another veteran. Visit a Texas State Park. Go camping. Paddle a lake. Watch a sunset. Try something you've never done before. Take a photo, share your experience, and encourage someone else to get outside.

    One Experience. One Photo. One Year.

    Get Outside. Reconnect. Recharge.