​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.