Field Notes: Stops along the trail from the Home Base Outreach Team

Camaraderie that doesn’t end when the trail does.

The past few months have taken our Outreach team from mountain trails to baseball fields, community celebrations, tribal gatherings, and military installations.

Different places. Different faces. One common thread: showing up, building relationships, and being part of the community.

Here’s a look back at where the road took us.

July 10–12, 2026 | Finding Common Ground at Bearcamp

A collaboration with Home Base and VAST brought 20 women veterans from across New England together for a weekend at the Bearcamp Center in South Tamworth.

Trails were hiked. Stories were swapped. Meals were shared. And new bonds were built.

Sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when there’s nowhere else to be but together.

July 18–19, 2026| Miles & Smiles in the White Mountains

Three years running — and hiking — with Veterans on the 48.

This year, we took on two 4,000-footers, Wildcat and Carter Dome, alongside 12 veterans. Together, we covered more than 11 miles before settling in for the night at AMC’s Carter Notch Hut.

There were shared meals, plenty of stories, and the kind of camaraderie that grows one mile — and one conversation — at a time.

One solid tradition. One adventure series still going strong.

July 25, 2026 | Adaptive Warriors Take on the Run to Home Base

One of the most impactful events of the year brought more than 50 adaptive warriors onto the field before the first pitch of the Red Sox game.

Standing together beneath the Green Monster was a powerful experience — and one our team was honored to be part of.

For these warriors, the day was about more than baseball. It was about community, connection, and recognizing the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

August 4, 2026 | “Fully Loaded” for Community Awareness

Five National Night Out events. Five communities across the Commonwealth. One Veteran Outreach team showing up, saying hello, and getting to know our neighbors.

Along the way, we handed out dozens of first-day-ready backpacks to local kids — a small boost before the first bell rings.

Five nights. Five towns. A week well spent.

August 22, 2026 | A Flag Carried. A Bond Formed.

A first for our team: the 4 Directions Tribal Powwow in the Pine State.

And it was a truly special one.

Our very own Veteran Outreach Coordinator Marc was honored to be invited to carry the POW/MIA flag during both the opening and closing ceremonies.

We stayed for the feast that followed, strengthening ties in that corner of Maine and beginning relationships we hope to carry forward.

Some invitations are more than invitations. They’re an opportunity to listen, learn, and become part of something bigger.

September 12, 2026 | Touching Down at Westover

We spent the day at Westover Air Reserve Base, joining fellow community stakeholders for the Suicide Prevention Resource & Career Fair and Family Day.

Hundreds of service members and their families from the 439th Airlift Wing came through.

There were lots of good conversations, new faces, and plenty of opportunities to connect — but sometimes the most important thing is simply being present in your community.

We were glad to be there.

Until the Next Trail

From mountain summits to community fields, from neighborhood celebrations to military bases, the past few months reminded us that outreach isn’t about one event or one destination.

It’s about showing up.

Showing up to listen.
Showing up to connect.
Showing up for veterans, their families, and the communities around them.

And wherever the next few months take us, we’ll keep doing just that.