For some, the outdoors is a place for recreation. For Jeremy and Jess Edwards at Beyond the Battle in Exeter, it’s also a place for healing. The two share a passion for helping others, and what began as a vision to make a difference for a friend’s sick child has grown into a project that helps veterans overcome challenges by rediscovering their strength and love for the outdoors. The non-profit offers outdoor experiences including hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing excursions and has served participants nationwide, promoting the idea that time spent in nature can be transformative. While participants’ challenges vary widely, the goal remains the same: to create moments of peace, connection, and renewal away from everyday stress.
The organization tries to match veterans by geography, time of service, or military branch. Outdoor adventures serve as an introduction, but the real purpose is creating a “family of heroes.” Conversations between members around a campfire, while casting a line, or in small spaces are potentially restorative, giving participants space to breathe, reflect, and recharge in a non-traditional setting.
Jess and Jeremy act as facilitators who plan excursions with reputable outdoor adventure vendors and join in to prepare meals at the camp. Whether it’s tagging bears in New Brunswick, duck hunting in New York or Florida, grouse-hunting in Maine, or chasing moose in Newfoundland, the volunteers from Beyond the Battle are there in the background. “We don’t ask a lot about their experience,” explains Jeremy. Success is measured by how well the participants bond.
Bonding is exactly what took place for retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant Greg Wenzel on his first excursion. Explaining that he missed the brotherhood the Marines are known for, he described how “phenomenal” Beyond the Battle was at making everyone feel welcome and how the experience resulted in “a great bunch of guys who are now connected for life.”
Like many non-profits, the challenge is identifying areas to expand, whether it’s outreach to the target audience, enhancing programs, or increasing the donor base. Luckily, with their demographic, Beyond the Battle can multiply reach simply through word of mouth. Wenzel introduced his brother, Kyle Wenzel, also a retired Marine Corps master sergeant, to the group.
Kyle echoes the sentiment about the organization instilling a sense of belonging by understanding and caring about veterans. He points out that the ongoing text thread he maintains with group contacts not only offers camaraderie but also helps bring in fellow service members. The annual Game Dinner held at the Portuguese American Club in Cranston, featuring bounty from hunts throughout the year as fare, is another way to introduce new recruits.
Keeping true to their roots, the signature fundraising event remains the annual Sweet Pea Classic Golf Tournament. Held in early fall, it funds their current mission, recognizes the challenges families face, and sets aside a portion of the proceeds to help ease financial burdens for a local family in need. Beyond the Battle offers a simple but powerful reminder in a world where personal battles often go unseen: sometimes the path to healing begins outdoors, surrounded by people who understand that no one should face their struggles alone. Learn more at BeyondTheBattle.org.
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