About Us
Our Mission
Cross the Divide is helping veterans and their families navigate the challenging terrain of life, promoting healing, hope, strength and growth by application of Christ-centered, biblical truths in the venue of God’s creation.
Our work leads to transformation
Cross The Divide provides transformational experiences in the venue of the outdoors such as hunting, fishing, backpacking, horse camping, and llama packing trips, as well as retreats and seminars. With the assistance of track chairs and an incredible team of guides and facilitators, we are able to accommodate physically disabled veterans on some of our hunting and fishing trips. Through the personal care and attentiveness of our team, we give veterans a place to talk about their non-physical wounds and personal challenges as well. Cross The Divide is focused on sending each veteran back to their family and their community in a healthier place while connecting them with other veterans and inviting them to a deeper relationship with God.
“I believe I will be better able to connect with others since I’ve opened up about the darkest moments in my life, allowing some light in.”
- Veteran participant
Connecting Veterans to Themselves and Others
In sharing stories through informal but intentional discussions, participants realize they are not alone in their struggles. Regardless of the branch of service or details of their service, veterans find the camaraderie they knew while serving in the military. Our participants discover the story of rescue and restoration that God has been telling throughout history-and the story He is telling in each of our lives.
Veterans experience tangible health benefits and personal transformation through our outdoor events which are founded on a biblical approach to personal growth.
Hunting & Fishing
We provide hunting and fishing opportunities in Oregon, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Virginia, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, Indiana, Alaska, and Washington – with partnerships developing in other states. Our Hunting & Fishing Program Coordinators work with landowners to gain access to prime locations enabling select applicants to not only hunt & fish eastern Oregon but to also provide healthy food for their families.
We provide opportunities for veterans to bring family members on their trip. Our goal is to instill a newfound confidence in our veterans, while introducing hunting and fishing to our veteran’s family members. The bonding that happens during these experiences further strengthens our military families. Immersed in the beauty and power of God’s creation, the healing and renewed confidence perseveres beyond their experience with us and offers a renewed feeling of hope for the future.
“I made profound discoveries about my challenges and was provided encouragement by finding threads of connection with other veterans in their challenges and successes. The Olympic mountains, genuine and dedicated facilitators, and an incredible group of fellow veterans made for a deeply meaningful trek.”
- Retired fighter pilot, backpacking participant
Our History
Cross the Divide was originally founded as “Divide Camp”, a rustic camp that provided restoration and hope to combat veterans by creating a community of care and support in an outdoor setting. That camp started in 2009 as an outreach to post-9/11 combat wounded veterans in the Wallowa Mountains on the edge of eastern Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness.
Cross the Divide launched in January 2022 and expanded the scope of its outreach to all veterans and their families, while still providing unique opportunities for combat-wounded veterans. In addition to Northwest operations, Cross The Divide expanded nationwide in 2023.
Originally designed for America’s latest generation of veterans, this approach has focused on healing through the outdoors, community, and camaraderie. With hundreds of veterans served and healing processes started, Cross the Divide doesn’t just provide a mountaintop experience that sends veterans back into their daily lives. We seek to affect a transformation of mindset through a focus on biblical values and involving a support system of family and friends.