Connecticut

perks & recreation program

Connecticut offers a massive network of over 140 state parks and forests alongside dedicated local municipal recreation departments that provide outdoor programs, community sports leagues, and therapeutic activities. If you are looking for state-level resources, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) manages the state's park systems, ensuring accessible nature trails, boat launches, and campground rentals.

Join the Perks & Recreation™ Rewards Program and earn rewards for sharing your state pride. Post about your favorite Connecticut spots, rack up points, and redeem them for merch, exclusive experiences, and more. The more you share, the more you score. It’s free. It’s fun. And you get to rep Connecticut – your way.

open doors outdoors

Open Doors Outdoors (ODO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is on a mission to take Veterans, their families and young people into the outdoors for reconnection, healthy activity and healing.

Our mission is simple yet profound: to guide individuals into the great outdoors, providing opportunities for reconnection, fostering healthy activity, and supporting healing journeys. Through curated outdoor adventures, we aim to empower participants to find solace, strength, and community in nature's embrace.

Offering hikes throughout Connecticut & New England.  We also have a UTV adventure program through the Connecicut River Valley based out of South Glastonbury, CT.(sign-up using the link below)

pga hope -

Connecticut

 HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum, taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. All programs are funded by PGA REACH and supplemented by PGA Section Foundations, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans.

METAL DETECTORS

4 VETERANS

Metal Detectors 4 Veterans, Inc. is a New York State 501c3 Public Charity Organization. With a mission to give veterans suffering from PTSD and other related conditions the opportunity to focus on a hobby that encourages them to get outside, exercise, and enjoy the fellowship of other hobbyists. We accomplish this with new and donated metal detectors, equipment, and volunteer instructors. MD4V and its volunteers work to give suffering veterans - and their families, a new interest that will help to replace dark thoughts, anxiety, and depression.

Team red, white & blue

 Every year, more than 250,000 active duty service members transition out of the military, joining the 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans already living in communities nationwide. They face many challenges including isolation, weight gain, lack of purpose, and other health issues.

Team Red, White & Blue is the antidote to the isolation and health challenges they face. By forging America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans, service members, and their families, we strive to make tomorrow better. Together, we will find strength and success.

Our chapters and the Team RWB App deliver virtual and local, consistent, and inclusive opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity.

Veteran Kayaking

NOTE: This is a seasonal event.  Call for program schedule.

Free kayaking and picnic lunch for veterans with PTSD, physical disabilities and their supporters.

We will be starting our kayaking program again this season. We meet on Thursdays behind Rovers Restaurant which is situated on Lake Beseck in Middlefield Ct..

10:00 - 12:00 - Kayaking 

12:00  - Lunch Begins

Kayaks, life vests, paddles provided:

Hosted by Middletown Elks Lodge 771 

For More Info:   (860) 346-9771

Leap of Faith Adaptive Skiers

Leap of Faith Adaptive Skiers(LOF)

 Mission

Our mission is to build lasting confidence and fulfillment through exposure and professional training in recreational and competitive water and snow skiing to both children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

 Vision

Our objective is to improve the lives of our participants by providing them with safe, challenging and memorable adaptive recreation programs.

The Veterans Wooden Boat Workshop

The Veterans Wooden Boat Workshop is an organization founded by Veterans located in New York’s Hudson Valley. We are dedicated to the well-being of Veterans and their families. Our mission is to bring much-needed programs into the area. This project is coordinated and led by Veteran volunteers and community leaders who donate their time and experience to help struggling Veterans reintegrate.

The Catskills are home to over 12,000 veterans and their family members. While veterans do have some access to programs that assist in homelessness, substance abuse, employment, and other basic needs, there is a serious gap regarding the veteran’s psychological wellbeing. This Workshop is a program that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and access to support professionals to help Veterans successfully reintegrate into society as well teaching a viable skill in woodworking and watercraft.

U.S. Veteran's Rowing & Kayaking Program

Welcome to one of the most exciting and unique rowing and kayaking programs in the country dedicated to our military veterans!​ If you are seeking a new and exciting form of healthy physical activity,  which is ​both healing and therapeutic, this is the program for you!

We ​are striving for perfection but sometimes have to settle for excellence!

U.S. Veteran's Rowing & Kayaking Program is a non-profit, volunteer organization based in Connecticut and serves all military Veterans in the nation that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other health related issues.



Race Cars for a Cause

Helping veterans and their families enjoy the thrill of racing and motorsports at race tracks across northeast .

Race Cars for a Cause is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping veterans and active military. Our goal is to provide the experience of a lifetime in a real race car at select race tracks and venues throughout New England. Please join us in this unique and exciting opportunity to help veterans and their loved ones enjoy a day at the track! 

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association -   CT CVMA Spartans

We are an Association of Combat Veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. As a registered 501(c)(19) veterans’ charity, our mission is to support and protect those who have defended our country and our freedoms. Our focus is to provide assistance and help to individual veterans, veteran care facilities, other veteran organizations and registered charities. We sponsor and participate in many veteran-related motorcycle (and other) charity events each year, and as a non-profit organization, donate to various veteran causes. Our Mission Statement is Veterans Helping Veterans.

Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club -

Hartford chapter

We are committed to serving the community through participation in various charities, fund raising events and promoting safe riding habits. One of our key objectives is to educate the community, schools and civic groups about the history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments, which came into existence in 1866 through an act of Congress.

Our Hartford Chapter

Welcome to the Hartford, Connecticut chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club.

The Hartford, CT chapter became a part of the NABSTMC in February of 2004 through the efforts of our chapter's founding members: Shawn Bolden ("Shocka") and Bryant Moore ("Dark Rider")