Day Event – Wounded Warriors at Nebo

Season Kickoff, Kayaking the San Marcos River

September 13, 2025
by dottietheadmin

On September 11 the 2025–2026 season began with a splash—literally—as nine patients from the Soldiers Recovery Unit at Fort Sam Houston joined volunteers from Wounded Warriors at Nebo Ministry and Veterans Adventure Therapy aka Olympic Outdoor Center for a day of kayaking on the San Marcos River.

We gathered at Kirby Lane Café in San Marcos, where the morning began with a delicious brunch and lively conversation. Spirits were high, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect—God truly gifted us a day made for adventure.

After brunch, we ported canoes from the restaurant to the riverbank. Life vests were secured, safety tips shared, and soon our group was gliding down the river. Those of us not kayaking headed to the nearby park, home to two scenic waterfalls. While waiting for the group to arrive, we watched children and adults tube over the falls and body surf in the rapids—pure joy in motion.

When our kayakers reached the falls, two volunteers led the way, navigating the first drop and positioning themselves below the second to assist others. We quickly learned there were many ways to tackle the falls:

Landing safely in the rapids and gliding through the second drop
Drifting around and descending the second drop backwards
Getting stuck on the rocks at the entrance
Attempting a backward descent and flipping on landing

Thanks to our quick-thinking volunteers, even the most adventurous paddlers were met with support and encouragement. It was a day filled with laughter, courage, and connection.

Events like these remind us of the healing power of nature, community, and shared experience. Whether paddling through rapids or cheering from the shore, we were all part of something meaningful.

Stay tuned for more adventures this season—we’re just getting started.

A few of the photos from Thursday’s outing can be viewed by following this link Photos – Wounded Warriors at Nebo these and many more can be found at Zenfolio | Dave Roberts | Kayaking SM 2025 09. (It’s worth checking them out especially with the slideshow option) Remember that there is more than one page of photos and that they may be downloaded by hovering your cursor in the upper-left corner of a full-sized photo. Feel free to share the links with the participants, employees, and other interested persons.

Day Event

Team Building

May 26, 2025May 26, 2025
by dottietheadmin

One of the creative ways to teach people to work together is to put them in a locked room where they must find clues to open the door. The chaplain took a group of 21 patients, cadre and healthcare workers to Extreme Escape Room in San Antonio. After breakfast at the First Watch Restaurant, they walked to the escape room where they were split into teams. Each team had 60 minutes to explore and collect all the clues required to exit their designated rooms before time ran out. The engaging and interactive experience fostered teamwork and problem-solving skills. Chaplain Hatcher shared that everyone had a great time, marking the day as both enjoyable and meaningful for all involved.

Photos (complements of Nancy Stolpe) can be viewed by clicking on this link https://wwnebo.org/photos/wppaspec/oc1/lnen/cv0/ab78

Day Event

May 24, 2025
by dottietheadmin

Follow the link to read all about the fun happenings during the first quarter of 2025. 1Q25

Day Event

Museum Tour

February 13, 2025February 26, 2025
by dottietheadmin

Last Wednesday, February 12th, sixteen patients from both Fort Sam Houston and Fort Cavazos enjoyed a guided tour of the Museum of the Pacific War. The group included personnel from the Marines, Navy and Army. The guests had an opportunity to get better acquainted over lunch at the Fredericksburg Brewery.

It was a fun and educational day.

Museum admission and lunch were compliments of Wounded Warriors at Nebo. Photos taken by David Roberts. Photos from the event can be seen by clicking on this link https://wwnebo.org/photos or going to David Roberts’ site: https://dlroberts.zenfolio.com/p37436334

Day Event

Natural Bridge Caverns

November 22, 2024
by dottietheadmin

November 14th 22 soldiers met Wounded Warriors At Nebo team members at Natural Bridge Caverns near Boerne, TX for a day of exploring the caverns and enjoying the perfect weather. Our guided tour of the caverns began at 10am and finished just in time for some lunch. The caverns were amazing. The walkways are well lighted and have handrails for those of us who need them. There are some pretty steep inclines and of course you have to hike back up to the top. If you haven’t been, consider going and taking your family.

Photos from the adventure are in the Photo Album “Natural Bridge Caverns 14 November” http://wwnebo.org/photos

Day Event

Enchanted Rock 10/2/24

October 4, 2024
by dottietheadmin

Soldiers from the SRU arrived at Enchanted Rock State Park to be greeted by WWAN team members and Breakfast Tacos. After fueling up on the tacos they headed up “The Rock”. Once everyone reached the top they gathered with Dr. Valez for rest and conversation. Everyone was hungry after the hike so headed to Hondos on Main in Fredericksburg for lunch where they were joined by other WWAN team members.

Breakfast tacos were donated by Zion Lutheran Church. Lunch was compliments of Wounded Warriors at Nebo and Hondos.

Photos from this event can be viewed and downloaded by following either of the following links Photos – Wounded Warriors at Nebo (wwnebo.org) or Zenfolio | Dave Roberts | ER 2024 10

Day Event

Team Building 9/19/2024

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024
by dottietheadmin

Cadre and staff from Fort Cavazos went to Krause Springs, Spicewood, TX for a Team Building class. Attendees work with the wounded, injured and ill patients in treatment and/or transition. They help with the soldier’s meds, make sure they get to their appointments and many other things the patient requires. In other words, they “walk with the patient” during their recovery therefore experiencing some of the same emotions as their patient in addition to the stress of their responsibilities. This leads to compassion burn out.

This day was designed to give the attendees a break from the everyday stress by learning ways to relax and work better with each other thus reducing their stress and anxiety which in turn means providing better care to their patients. The chaplain arranged for a professional life coach to show the soldiers different techniques for calming their emotions. She also led them in exercises demonstrating how to improve their working as a team.

When the morning sessions were completed, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch from Opie’s BBQ and homemade cookies provided by the Ephraim Andrews chapter of DAR. After lunch attendees were free to go enjoy the pool, hike some of the trails, fish or just hang out enjoying the beautiful area.

Thanks to our photographer, David Roberts for being there and taking pictures. Photos can be viewed and downloaded from either of the following links Photos – Wounded Warriors at Nebo (wwnebo.org)

or Zenfolio | Dave Roberts | Krause 2024 09

Day Event

Kayaking San Marcos

October 3, 2024
by dottietheadmin

Ten soldiers from the SRU and two Navy warriors arrived in San Marcos for a fun day on the water. Their day began with breakfast at Kerbey Lane Cafe before heading for the river. Everyone selected a kayak and took it and the equipment to the bank of the river where Ben Kvanli gave them “Kayaking 101” instructions including safety on the river tips. He helped them launch their kayaks and joined them on the trip down the river. Everyone enjoyed the peace and quiet of being there. The takeout point was at Olympic Outdoor Center however when they reached the center, they were enjoying themselves so much they paddled on to a close by island and circled it before returning to the center. Later they enjoyed a box lunch before heading back to San Antonio. View photos from the float by following the link https://wwnebo.org/photos select the Kayaking San Marcos album. Photos can be downloaded from the photo album, or you can follow the link to David’s site https://dlroberts.zenfolio.com/p93649579 . to view and download photos.

Wounded Warriors at Nebo thank Ben Kvanli for use of his facilities and equipment and WWAN team members Elizabeth Fargason and Ed Fredericks who greeted the warriors in San Marcos, visited with them and helped where needed. Special thanks go to our photographer, David Roberts, who took all the awesome pictures you see in the album.

Day Event

Kayaking 14 May 2024

May 23, 2024May 23, 2024
by dottietheadmin

Chaplin Hatcher brought SRU patients, nurses and case managers to Louis Hayes Park in Kerrville, TX for a day of fun on the water. Upon arrival they were greeted by Wounded Warriors at Nebo volunteers with breakfast tacos and other snack items. Then they grabbed a kayak and headed for a leisurely trip on the Guadalupe River. Some even explored the 6 mile hiking trail. Then it was lunch time after which they enjoyed the park for a while and headed back to Fort. Sam Houston. Ben Kvanli, Olympic Outdoor Sports, St. Markus furnished all the kayaks and some much needed instructions. First Baptist Church donated the delicious breakfast tacos.

Photos from this event are in the Photo Album – Kayaking May 14, 2024. Just follow this link https://wwnebo.org/photos You can view or download them. You can also see all photos taken at https://dlroberts.zenfolio.com/p225613472

Day Event

Team Building

February 24, 2024
by dottietheadmin

The chaplain requested the February 9th event for cadre and staff be a Team Building event. What better way to build a team than to lock them in a room where they have to work together to get out? Forty one (41) soldiers met at an Escape Room in San Antonio for a day out learning to work together and hopefully in the process relieve some of the stress of their job(s). These soldiers work directly with the patients in treatment and/or transition. They make sure medications are correct and taken; that doctor’s appointments are made and kept; that physical therapy is attended, etc. In essence the cadre & staff are emotionally going through the same things as their patients.

Teams of 5 took turns going through the escape rooms.

Lunch was enjoyed at a local restaurant within walking distance of the escape rooms.

Feedback from the chaplain was very positive. He said everyone enjoyed the day. It helped relieve their work-related stress, improved morale while learning or sharpening skills required to work as a team.

Thank goodness Wounded Warriors at Nebo was able to provide an opportunity to have some fun!!

Season Kickoff, Kayaking the San Marcos River

Team Building

Newsletter

Museum Tour

Natural Bridge Caverns

Enchanted Rock 10/2/24

Team Building 9/19/2024

Kayaking San Marcos

Kayaking 14 May 2024

Team Building

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