Process for Veterans Interested in Attending Will's Hope

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For 2023, we have revised the recruitment process for veteran programs.  This will improve the experience for veteran participants.  The process is as follows:

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•  Contact Will's Hope and let us know of your interest as soon as possible.  To assist you please review the documents at the bottom of the page and look through the veteran photos/videos for 2022 and 2021 so you have a good idea of what's involved and what the requirements are for participating in Will's Hope.   To see the 2022 & 2021 photos please hover the cursor over the Veterans tab at the bottom of this page.  Point of contact is Mark Squire at 719-210-5625 or email us at willshopeinfo@gmail.com,

• If you are interested in attending/applying there are some pre-requisites/requirements (not all are listed below):

• • Submission of a Pre-Application.   

  • Having a personal hiking program so that you can hike 3 miles with an elevation gain of 600 feet - this may be waived in certain specific individual situations.  

  • Complete the full application,

  • Complete a physical signed by a doctor, NP, PA or other qualified medical professional,

  • There maybe several interviews involved,

  • Attend the Orientation - this is mandatory and includes out of state participants, 

  • Acceptance for a Will's Hope Program is finalized after all documents are received and accepted by Will's Hope and all other requirements have been met.  This includes submission of the required fees in a timely manner, 

  • Ensure you can afford the time to participate in the 13-day program.  It is extremely important during the programs that you can avoid distractions, be in the moment or in the present, and participate with your peers in the activities.  For example, excessive use of the phone during program activities negatively impacts you as well as the rest of the group.  Typically, after dinner is when activities start to taper off and downtime is scheduled, which is the best opportunity for making calls.  Similarly, if you have a personal situation that requires a lot of your time during the program - and this is likely going to be a distraction that not only impacts you but impacts the group and diminishes not only what you get out of the program but what your peers get out of the program.  The two previous examples are just examples and there are other unwanted issues that are not conducive to our mission or your success.  Group size is typically 6-8 individuals, 

  • Be open to learning about subject matter areas that are new to you - this includes but is not limited to wildlife, natural processes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (e.g., earthquakes, mass land movement, thermal features, etc.), geology, natural resource conservation, Native American culture, etc.

  • If horse riding is on the schedule there is a weight limit of 250 pounds per person, 

  • Participation in scheduled activities,

  • You will be required to self-certify that you can benefit from Will's Hope and have a disability or disabilities from your military service - you won't need a diagnosis but if you do have a diagnosis you will need to include that on the Pre-Application/Application,    

  • Fees:

    • The cost to Will's Hope for this program is approximately $5,000 per veteran.  We ask for a small part of this to be paid by the veteran and or sponsoring organization.  We require the veteran to pay at least $200 towards the specified fees ($400 for first time attendees and $800 for veterans that have previously attended) or pay the total fee ($400/$800) themselves.  If you have a sponsor the sponsor's contribution plus the $200 (paid by the veteran) must equal the total fee required ($400/$800).  If the sponsor wants to pay the full fee ($400/$800) the veteran must still chip in and pay $200.  Will's Hope may have some limited funds to help veterans that have a financial hardship. 

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