A Parks & Recreation Month Story from Military Families Outdoors

For military spouse Josh Havard, spending time outdoors has always been more than a figurative breath of fresh air—it has literally been a lifeline. As his family settled into their next chapter of service, a first time in Hawaiʻi, an opportunity to explore the Big Island with host Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) helped them to not only connect with nature but also better understand the land they now call home and the indigenous culture that surrounds them.

July is Parks & Recreation Month and a time to celebrate the spaces and experiences that bring us together. Thanks to the generous Military Families Outdoors program funded by a National Park Service grant, more military families are learning about how vital these experiences are for themselves as service members or military spouses and their children, especially in times of transition. Through immersive outdoor adventures guided by partners like Wilderness Inquiry, military families can deepen their connections with one another, their new communities, and their new home state.

Adjusting to a New Life in Hawaiʻi

Josh and his wife, Alexandra—a safety officer for the United States Navy at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and longtime U.S. Air Force Reservist—moved to Oʻahu in 2024. The transition brought with it all of the typical challenges of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move: new routines, limited support networks, and the emotional strain of building a life from scratch. It also added some unique challenges: moving halfway across the world with their five-year-old daughter Adelaine and higher costs of living.

As a civilian military spouse, Josh knows firsthand how isolating it can be to start over in a new place while managing an active household and helping his wife navigate the stress of high-pressure assignments. After their move, he stepped into a new role as a stay-at-home dad and subsequently found purpose and connection through registering for early education programs and volunteering at the local ASYMCA’s no-cost food assistance services. It was a natural extension of his lifelong desire to serve in a meaningful way and to plug into the community around him.

But Josh wanted to lend more than a helping hand. His consistent presence reflected a deeper commitment to honoring the culture of their new home in Hawaiʻi. Through a connection at the ASYMCA, he began volunteering to guide active duty military and veteran groups focused on restoring native landscapes and learning the cultural significance of the land from community leaders as a way to support mental health and emotional wellbeing.

That spirit of curiosity and respect is exactly why, when a spot opened up on a nature-based cultural trip to the Big Island, ASYMCA staff knew Josh and his family would be the perfect fit.

Exploring the Big Island in a Big Way

Josh and his family were invited to join a multi-day trip to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi with another active duty Air Force military family, also stationed at JBPHH but who they had never met, a representative for ASYMCA and two Wilderness Inquiry guides. The itinerary included snorkeling in pristine waters, hiking volcanic landscapes, and visiting sacred Hawaiian cultural sites. The group also explored ancient petroglyphs and spent time at Volcanoes National Park, one of Josh’s most anticipated stops.

“We’ve wanted to see the Kilauea volcano for so long, but it never worked out. This time, everything aligned perfectly,” he said with excitement as if he was transported back in time to that magical moment.

“We had been watching the National Park Service’s live webcam of the volcano erupting the week before and were hoping Madame Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, would stay active until we could visit in person. Our wish came true!

“We visited in the daytime and then went back at night so we could see the lava in its full glory. We stood there with hundreds of others from around the world in quiet awe. You could hear the rumbling and feel the energy. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The trip was made even more meaningful by the presence of Josh’s extended family, who were able to visit from Mississippi. “It had been nearly a year since we had seen my parents,  brother and aunt. To be together like that, in such a beautiful place, was something we’ll never forget.

For his daughter, the experience was full of firsts and friendship. She bonded instantly with another five-year-old on the trip, turning every hike, snorkeling stop, and beach visit into a shared adventure. “Anything she did with her new best friend was the highlight of her trip,” Josh recalled. “Watching them explore together made it even more special.”

And the family made memories they’ll laugh about for years to come, including the moment Josh was unexpectedly nipped by a fish while snorkeling. “I got a bite right on the toe,” he laughed. “We were all joking about it until the same fish bit someone else five minutes later. Then it really became a shared memory!”

Connecting military families with each other, while connecting with nature, was the ultimate goal of the trip. “Now we have a family that trust and will schedule play dates. That’s something we really didn’t have before this trip.”

Nature’s Power to Heal and Connect

For Josh, the greatest benefit of getting outside with his family is the way it resets everything.

“When we’re on a hike, the phones go away. We’re paying attention to each other. We’re laughing. We’re watching our daughter explore and light up at everything she sees… it’s everything,” he said. “And when you’re dealing with the stress of military life, that kind of joy and connection is medicine. It heals the soul.”

Josh’s belief in the healing power of nature goes beyond his own family. He’s currently developing a nature-based mental health program to support others, especially military families navigating transitions, isolation, and even Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). After working on his own mental health, he found that backpacking and spending extended time in nature helped him begin to heal and realize he wanted to pay it forward.

“There was such a release and peace that it brought,” he shared. “I started to realize that this isn’t just helpful for me. This could help other people, too.”

Having seen firsthand how stress and emotional strain can lead to burnout in military families, Josh is now focused on creating outdoor experiences that reduce screen time, strengthen family bonds, and help families like his process life’s hardships in healthier ways.

“There’s science behind it,” he explained. “Just listening to the birds can boost your serotonin. Putting your feet on the ground helps release tension. It’s nature’s medicine.”

This kind of healing is at the heart of Military Families Outdoors. Whether through immersive trips, local outings to a national park, or simply taking walks outside,  Military Families Outdoors provides military families with access to nature as a tool for connection, wellness, and resilience no matter where military life takes them.

A Trip That Will Last a Lifetime

Looking back, Josh knows the trip wasn’t just a getaway. It was a grounding experience that helped his family feel more at home in a new place.

“We still talk about it all the time,” Josh said. “It gave my wife a chance to slow down from her high-pressure job. She’s always going, always working. My daughter made a new best friend. And for me, just seeing our family together, outside, smiling… that’s the kind of thing you carry with you.

“It gave us a chance to reconnect with each other and learn more about the place we now call home. That’s something we’ll always be grateful for.”

Inspired by Josh’s journey? You can find your own reset moment, too. Whether it’s a hike, a family camping trip, or a walk to your nearest park, these moments matter. Explore upcoming outdoor programs, trips, and wellness resources designed for military families on The Military Families Outdoors website.

About Military Families Outdoors

The Military Families Outdoors (MFO) program helps active-duty military families connect with nature, from scenic parks to public lands and waterways, fostering healthy habits and environmental stewardship. Administered by the Defense Health Agency and the National Park Service, MFO brings together the expertise of Blue Star Families, Wilderness Inquiry, Armed Services YMCA, and The Center for Health & Nature. Through a variety of in-person and online activities, the program offers engaging outdoor wellness experiences that enhance the physical, mental, and social well-being of Service Members and their families across the country.