Ember Ascents is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering active-duty and veteran women through outdoor experiences, community building, and education. We create inclusive spaces where active-duty and women veterans can explore the outdoors, develop new skills and support each other in post-military life. Our programs focus on holistic well-being, environmental stewardship, and education.

All veterans deserve support, and we deeply respect and value the many organizations that provide resources for all who have served. However, women in this community face unique challenges, both during and after service, that are often overlooked in broader veteran support networks.

For example, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, women veterans die by suicide at higher rates than their veteran men counterparts. 4.6 women per 100,000 compared to 13.5 mean per 100,000 (VA, 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report). Additionally, nearly 1 in 3 women veterans reports experiencing military sexual trauma (MST), a rate significantly higher than their male peers (VA MST Fact Sheet). These compounding factors can lead to increased isolation, lack of trust, and barriers to care.

Ember Ascents was created to help address those gaps by fostering a dedicated space where women veterans can connect, heal, and grow together through outdoor adventure. Our goal is to ensure they have a strong, lasting community tailored to their specific needs and experiences.

We love that there are so many great groups supporting the veteran community! And we encourage you to explore them. Heck, you might even see us partner with them to provide women veteran-only experiences! But what makes us unique is that while we embrace the shared challenges of being women in the military, our programs focus on building beyond our military experience and simply being outside. We focus on strengthening and building a long-lasting community of supportive women.

We also provide education and resources on how to be good stewards of the outdoors and continue to give back to the land we recreate on. We bring in instruction from industry leaders and experts, all the while fully embracing that kumbaya spirit. We want to create a space where we can sit around a campfire and talk about or feelings or the things we are struggling with. We focus on holistic well-being in the outdoors: the mental and physical aspects of wellness.

Our programs are designed for active-duty and veteran women of all backgrounds and experiences. Whether you’ve just transitioned out of the military or have been out for years, we welcome you! These experiences are open to branches and countries of service. We believe the experience of serving as a woman in the military carries shared challenges that transcends borders.

No prior outdoor experience is required, just a willingness to learn, connect, and explore! Our programs are tailored to meet you where you are, whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or brand new to recreation. We provide the tools needed for you to feel confident and capable in the outdoors.

We believe in not just recreating in the outdoors, but also protecting and preserving it. Our programs incorporate Leave No Trace principles, stewardship projects, and partnership with conservation groups to ensure we are giving back to the wild places that give so much to us.

Most definitely! While our programs are designed for active-duty and veteran women, we also believe in amplifying the voices and expertise of all women in the outdoor industry. That’s why we intentionally partner with experienced, non-veteran women guides, educators, and leaders who share our mission of empowerment, inclusion, and growth through adventure.

Women remain underrepresented in the guiding and outdoor leadership space. According to the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), less than 10% of certified guides at higher levels are women. By collaborating with women professionals, we are amplifying their voices and ensuring our participants are learning from a wide range of skilled and inspiring role models.

Every dollar donated goes directly toward funding our programs: providing gear, securing industry leaders and experts, covering trip costs, and ensuring that our experiences are accessible to all women veterans regardless of financial status. Your support makes a direct impact on creating a strong, supportive community of women in the outdoors.

There are many ways to get involved! You can join one of our programs as a participate, volunteer as a mentor or trip leader, or support us through donations.

• Do donate, please visit our donation page.

• To sign up for a trip, complete our waiver and we will contact you.

• To sign up to volunteer, please complete the volunteer application.

Reach out! We’d love to chat and share more about Ember Ascents. Send us a message, and let’s get connected!