SERVING ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY
THROUGH CHRIST-CENTERED
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SINCE 2014
2023 IMPACT REPORT
building spiritual foundations
SSO’s unique program pushes service members out of their comfort zone through outdoor activities that challenge them physically and mentally. They return to their commands having grown in ways that make them more effective as individuals and members of their units.
Our team works with local volunteers, pastors, and churches to provide connection to help ensure service members find a community where they can grow in their faith, have questions answered, and get support for the challenges they are facing.
“The organization is completely and unequivocally committed to the resiliency and spiritual fitness of our service members. And they do it through fun, challenging, and unique events for our heroes.” LTC Jay Harty, U.S. Army, Deputy Brigade Commander, 525th MI Brigade
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
SSO traveled across the United States and into Europe to serve active duty military.
Active Duty Service Members Attended Programs
Military Commands and Chaplains Supported
Resilliency and Spiritual Fitness Programs Held
Volunteers Across the Nation Served With SSO
States + Poland Visited by SSO
2023 Revenue
$813,320
%
Of Funds Used For Programs
Donors-Individuals, Foundations & Grants
Church and Parachurch Partners-Financial & Volunteer
Full & Part Time Staff
Board Members
Advisory Board Members
Major Donors: CBN, The Harbaugh Foundation, Served With Honor Foundation, Amy’s Legacy Foundation, Tsuha Foundation. Charlie Daniels The Journey Home Project, El Pomar Foundation, Recreation Military Ministries, VFW Post 741-Vista.
Church and Parachurch Partners: Antioch Georgetown, Georgetown, TX; Celebration Church, Georgetown, TX; Eagle Nazarene, Eagle, ID; Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Elkton, VA; First Baptist Clarksville, Clarksville, TN; LifePoint Church, Clarksville, TN; Manna Church, Fayetteville, NC; North Coast Calvary Chapel, Carlsbad, CA; Trace Church, Colorado Springs, CO; Christian Surfers-Carlsbad, CA; CRU Military, Orlando, FL; Mighty Oaks Foundation, Magnolia, TX; Ride Nature, Carlsbad, CA; Youth With A Mission-Endless Summer, Carlsbad, CA; Jamie Efaw, Colorado Springs CO; Jerry Stevens, Waco, TX.
Board Members: Rob Broyles, Brian Darisay, Foster Ferguson, Ryan Lamb, Hank Rimkus, Jim Washburn, Kim Wolf, Richard Wolf.
Advisory Board Members: Paul Armstrong, Buz Buzzbee, Kevin Frye, Sam Jackson, Jason Peters, Chad Robichaux, Bob Shank, Jeremy Stalnecker, Abe Thompson, Charlie Wells.
Funds Raised Since 2014
$2,743,750
Active Duty Service Members Attended Programs
In-Depth Financials Available On GuideStar
Force readiness & spiritual fitness
Commander's Program
Military leaders value how SSO’s comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual fitness help their service members be more mission ready and combat effective, which contributes directly to unit readiness.
CSM Lance Kachermeyer shared that “the last few months have been particularly rough due to the high OPTEMPO . . . I haven’t seen my team smile so much and enjoy each others presence over the past year. I highly encourage all other commanders and units to take advantage of and utilize this organization to better the morale and esprit de corps as well as spiritual readiness of their service members. We will definitely seek out other opportunities to build the team.”
Chaplain's Partner
Captain Ed Helm, U.S. Army Chaplain, has been working with our team since 2021 while stationed in Fort Liberty, NC. He reported that the feedback from soldiers has been amazing and had this to say about how our programs support him as a chaplain.
“SSO is an incredible benefit to my ministry to Soldiers. They are a great example of what it means to meet people where they’re at and on terms they can relate to. The foundation of faith and military service allows SSO to speak into the lives of our Soldiers and families in a unique and impactful way. SSO is by far the best organization I have partnered with in serving Soldiers and sharing the Gospel.”
Service Member's Fitness
Active duty service members, like U.S. Army soldier Stephen Hartman, come out to our program and leave knowing we are each uniquely made by God for a purpose. That message provides a foundation for life and builds resiliency so we can be better equipped to face our challenges.
“The rafting was unbelievable and their message and training on spiritual fitness and resilience was incredible. I wish every soldier and military member could hear this message and get this amazing experience.”
They Deserve Our Support
Our freedom is secured by the men and women who sacrifice to protect it, shouldering stress and hardship so we don’t have to. They deserve our unwavering support and gratitude.