Floating down the Colorado River and enjoying some fantastic fly fishing has been a wonderful outing for our participants from Craig Hospital and Operation TBI Freedom. The time, energy, care and safety preparations put into producing this two-day trip on Aug. 10-11 are second to none -- which is why this adventure is a great deal of fun and rewarding for everyone who attends.

This year’s group set off on a beautiful morning for Kremmling, Colorado, where boats were launched into the water and guided down the river into breathtaking scenery. While not everyone caught a fish, the group still had a blast trying! Spending time on the water while soaking up the sun and stunning views also allowed participants to get to know each other better and to form some connections that we hope deepen friendships and inspire more gatherings in community.

The River Deep Foundation extends special thanks to Muddy Creek Cabins in Kremmling for housing this group for a night. We also extend our profound thanks to The Blue Quill Angler, an Evergreen-based fly fishing guide service that donated guides, boats and gear; and to our expert Blue Quill Angler guide Bob Dye, who is also author of Fly Fishing Guide to the Colorado River and Tributaries: Hatches, Fly Patterns, and Guide's Advice.

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​What a great way to spend the day! Nearly 80 people coming to us through our referring partners -- Operation TBI, Craig Hospital, Ft. Carson's Soldier Recovery Unit and the VA Hospital -- enjoyed a great time of fishing, archery and hanging out in the sunshine July 15 at Colorado Youth Outdoors in Windsor, Colorado.

Event participants included several active-duty soldiers, military veterans, Craig Hospital patients --and their family members and caregivers. We also enjoyed seeing several "River Deep alumni," who have benefited from our previous years of programming. The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and Colorado Youth Outdoors' expert staff members were on hand to teach event participants the basics of fly fishing and archery.

After a morning on the water and range, everyone gathered in an outdoor pavilion for a fantastic pasta lunch and specialty, in-house cheesecake provided by Gondolier Italian Eatery. The lunchtime chatter that connected friends old and new was a heartwarming reflection of River Deep Foundation's aim to help people reconnect with themselves, their family members and within larger communities.

Art: Pet Portraits, Cottonwood Art Center
Colorado Springs, July 10
Participants: Craig Hospital (Craig), Operation TBI,  Ft. Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (Ft. Carson SRU), and VA Hospital (VA).
This is always a great time -- and instructor Catalina Stratienco brings out the best in all participants by showing them how to hone their painting skills by focusing on one of their favorite subjects!

Equine-Assisted Learning, Remount Foundation
U.S. Air Force Academy Equestrian Center, July 11
Participants: Operation TBI
With the help of our longtime and highly skilled partner, the Remount Foundation, six veterans and one family member enjoyed a time of centering calm through therapeutic exercises involving horses. Participants also learned some of the basics about the animals' care. Everyone enjoyed a gentle trail ride and fantastic weather.

Fly Fishing with Anglers of Honor
Black Hawk, CO, July 23
Participants: Operation TBI, Ft. Carson SRU, VA, Craig
It was another beautiful day fishing the pristine waters of Colorado's exclusive Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club. Volunteer instructors and guides from our partner organization, Anglers of Honor, answered questions, shared tips and assisted participants of all fishing skill levels.

Art: Conscious Clay, Art Students League of Denver
Denver, July 25
Participants: Craig Hospital (Craig) and VA Hospital (VA).
We always enjoy working with clay under the watchful eye of instructor Natalie! Participants learned the techniques of pinch, slab and coil to make bowls and other special art projects of their own. The final step will be adding the paint -- and then it's off to the kiln!
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Blacksmithing and Welding at Kilroy's Workshop
Colorado Springs, July 29
Participants: Operation TBI, Ft. Carson SRU, VA, Craig
Blacksmithing and welding at Kilroy's is always a good time. For some of our participants, this outing was an introduction to the trades. For others, it was a chance to apply what they've learned from previous classes to more advanced projects.

Art: Beading, Cottonwood Art Center
Colorado Springs, June 5
Participants: Craig Hospital (Craig), Operation TBI, Ft. Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (Ft. Carson SRU), and VA Hospital (VA).
What a great way to spend time with family and make a few new friends! Event participants shared a fun evening with artist Natalia Foster, who teaches an array of techniques to make beautiful beadwork jewelry that can embellish almost anything.

Fly Fishing with Anglers of Honor at Lincoln Hills
Black Hawk, CO, June 10
Participants: Operation TBI, Ft. Carson SRU, and VA
Our nonprofit partner, Anglers of Honor, led another great afternoon of fly fishing at the beautiful Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club. Expert guides from Front Range Anglers taught the basics and more advanced techniques to fly fishermen of all skill levels -- and we finished the day with great food provided by Gondolier Italian Eatery.

River Deep's Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser!
Colorado Clays, Brighton, CO, June 17
More than 75 people joined us for sporting clays shooting at Colorado Clays -- and for one heckuva ribeye lunch generously donated and served by the All-American Beef Battalion. We awarded prizes for shooting performance, and we raised still more money from drawings for great gear. We're thankful for generous event sponsors Buehler Companies, The Bluffs and Herdsman Capital -- and we're also grateful for Alta Vista Dermatology for providing sunscreen.

Blacksmithing and Welding at Kilroy's Workshop
Colorado Springs, June 24
Participants: Operation TBI, Ft. Carson SRU, VA, Craig Blacksmithing and welding at Kilroy's is always a good time. For some of our participants, this outing was an introduction to the trades. For others, it was a chance to apply what they've learned from previous classes to more advanced projects. We encourage everyone to visit Kilroy's online at KilroysWorkshop.com to learn more about its robust calendar of metalworking classes and events. This year, you could assist with the construction of a theatre set, forge knives or craft the jewelry of your dreams.

Dec 20, 2022 
Location: Art Students League of Denver 
Hosted by: River Deep Foundation 
Participating Groups: VA 

​​Art Class - Japanese Paper Marbling
Our instructor Taiko Chandler takes us through all the steps to the process of Japanese Paper Marbling. The rest is up to our imaginations and a little trial and error. At the end of the class everyone goes home with a masterpiece with and memories of a fun evening. A big thanks to Taiko and everyone at ASLD! 

​December 17, 2022 
Location: Kilroy’s Workshop, Colorado Springs, CO 
Hosted by: River Deep Foundation 
Participating Groups: Ft. Carson SRU, Operation TBI Freedom, VA 
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Blacksmithing 
Participants had a fun day learning some basic blacksmithing skills and crafting their own knife to take home. 
Jesus Guerra 
Military Support Specialist, Operation TBI Freedom 
Bob Adwar Executive Director, River Deep Foundation 
Chairman, SCI Humanitarian Outreach

Dec 11-14, 2022 
Location: Eastern Colorado 
Hosted by: River Deep Foundation 
Participating Groups: Operation TBI Freedom
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Whitetail Deer Hunt 
River Deep had the opportunity to send two Veterans from Operation TBI Freedom on a Whitetail Hunt in eastern Colorado thanks to our Hosts, John Howe and his son Tristen Howe – thank you for inviting us into your lodge for this Hunting experience. Unfortunately because of the nasty winter storm that moved in we were only able to accomplish 50% of our mission of harvesting these Deer, the blowing snow and high winds being our biggest obstacle. As with all River Deep outings we were able to turn the Hunt into an educational experience, everything from Whitetail behavior during cold snaps, storms and high winds to the harvesting and processing of said animals, thanks to our guide Wes Yarnell. All in all the Hunt was a success and our veterans learned some new things that they will be able to take with them into the field for the future hunts. 

Again I would like to thank our Hosts John Howe and his son Tristen Howe, Wes Yarnell our guide and Parker Scanlan our camp cook for everything they did for our Veterans and River Deep Foundation. 

Chuck Williamson River Deep Foundation
Bob Adwar Executive Director, River Deep Foundation 

​Dec 5, 2022 
Location: Cottonwood Art Center 
Hosted by: River Deep Foundation 
Participating Groups: Operation TBI Freedom
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Art Class - Metal Ornaments 
Great class for the month of December, our instructor Bonnie Nelson guided us to made beautiful ornaments using a piece of copper. Everyone had an amazing time creating their own personal design by using the basic techniques learned in class. It was a relaxing evening with veterans and their families members.