Veteran adventure paddling for purpose and empowerment

VETERAN ADVENTURE PADDLING FOR PURPOSE AND EMPOWERMENT

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration awarded $130,499 to the University of New Hampshire through the VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (CFDA 64.034) on September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2026. The grant funds the development and implementation of an adaptive adventure paddling program designed to serve disabled veterans and active-duty service members with disabilities. This initiative provides instruction, participation, and competition in adaptive paddling activities that leverage outdoor recreation as a therapeutic intervention to support the physical and mental health of eligible participants.

The program delivers comprehensive adaptive sports services including paddling instruction tailored to participants with varying disabilities, provision of specialized equipment and supplies, training and technical assistance to program staff and instructors, athlete assessment, and program evaluation activities. As a research-intensive institution with extensive experience in youth and community engagement programs, the University of New Hampshire's New Hampshire School of Law division will manage program delivery across New Hampshire. The one-year grant period supports both the operational and developmental aspects of this adaptive outdoor recreation initiative, consistent with the VA's broader investment in evidence-based adaptive sports programming for the veteran and military-connected community.