Mission
To improve veterans’ lives by providing outdoor opportunities for them and their family members.
Our Purpose
Maybe you’re a veteran and you don’t have a friend or family member who shares your passion for nature. You may not have the necessary equipment or skill to pursue an outdoor activity that you never tried before.Resolving these capability gaps can be expensive. This organization exists to fill these voids at no cost to the former service member. Relive the camaraderie, the shared sense of mission as you learn new skills. Try a new activity without having to make a large financial investment in equipment before you know if you will like it. Benefit from the experience of others that can mentor you. Maybe you have the equipment and skill but because you are currently serving you are too busy to gather information on the best places, times or techniques to pursue your passion, Veteran Outdoor Experiences can help answer your questions and make your limited time for recreation more enjoyable. Let Veteran Outdoor Experiences be your guide and outfitter.
What Sets Us Apart?
We work in smaller groups to provide a more personal experience and stronger camaraderie. Other groups have one or two large events a year. This organization provides experience every month. Additionally, Veteran Outdoor Experiences is different than other veteran groups because it provides opportunities for the whole family. It’s not just the veteran but their family members that have missed experiences because of military service.
Who am I
My name is Mark Leonard and I am the Executive Director of Veteran Outdoor Experiences. I have a lifelong love of the outdoors. I received a bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife Biology from West Virginia University. I was lucky enough to work 25 years with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife as a Conservation Officer enforcing the laws regarding hunting, fishing and the possession of wildlife.
I also spent 36 years in both the Army Reserves and the New Jersey National Guard as a Soldier. This career enabled me to meet many wonderful people and travel the world while serving my country. When I retired, I had the desire to share my love of the outdoors with other people who served and their family members as well. I started Veteran Outdoor Experiences to connect veterans and their family members with the natural world and the many types of recreation available to them.
