MILITARY CAREGIVERS

You’ve given your nation so much — even if you never enlisted

As a veteran caregiver, you sacrifice and serve, too—and your service didn’t end when your Warrior’s did.

Come fill your cup with a deeply relaxing nature retreat. Away from responsibilities, you’ll breathe in nature, connect with other caregivers, develop fly fishing skills, and head home with renewed vigor and newfound support systems.

“WQW perfectly orchestrated a safe space for caregivers to relax, breathe, and be vulnerable to ourselves and to others. When afforded a safe, peaceful environment where my nervous system could regulate and I had the opportunity to consider my own thoughts and feelings, I desired to give more. Doesn’t that sound strange? But I think that’s who we are, as individuals and as caregivers.

“When our cups are full, we want to keep giving.”

US Army Caregiver, Evie C.

fill your cup

with unlimited refills

HEALING NATURE

Water both flowing and still
restores the soul.

Free for participants

ALL costs covered,
and you keep the gear.

Meaningful connection

Build lasting relationships
with people who get it. 

A lifelong skill

Fly-fish whenever
you need a reset.

connect deeply

Step away to return even better

Caregiving is a way of life that includes a lot of unique challenges—it’s hard to take a break. This program exists to give you the respite you need to return home restored and ready to more deeply connect with your Warrior, your family, and your community.

five days can change everything

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

DAY ONE

Arrive in Bozeman, Montana, where you’ll be whisked to Quiet Waters Ranch for lunch and downtime. Next, Simms Fishing outfits you with top-of-the-line gear (yours to keep). Tonight’s your first of relaxing and connecting as a group and enjoying delicious meals home-cooked by the volunteer “Mom” crew.

DAY TWO

Learn and practice fly-fishing skills on our private ponds. Each participant is paired with a professional, licensed fly-fishing guide. Discover the fundamentals of fly fishing in the morning, refuel with an outdoor lunch, then head back to the ponds to refine skills over the afternoon.

DAY three

Meet Montana’s premier Blue Ribbon trout streams. Each participant spends the day either floating or walking/wading with their guide and companion on one of the many public or private waters around Southwest Montana. Adaptive equipment is available as needed for the various conditions of our participants.

DAY four

Head out with your guides and companions for a full day of fishing. At day’s end, everyone involved in the week—caregivers, guides, volunteers, and a few staff members—convene at Quiet Waters Ranch for a “Sayonara” dinner.

DAY five

Say goodbye to your newfound family and supporters when we drop you off at the airport. Head home with a refueled tank and plans to continue fly fishing in your local community.  

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

DAY ONE

Arrive in Bozeman, Montana, where you’ll be whisked to Quiet Waters Ranch for lunch and downtime. Next, Simms Fishing outfits you with top-of-the-line gear (yours to keep). Tonight’s your first of relaxing and connecting as a group and enjoying delicious meals home-cooked by the volunteer “Mom” crew.

DAY TWO

Learn and practice fly-fishing skills on our private ponds. Each participant is paired with a professional, licensed fly-fishing guide. Discover the fundamentals of fly fishing in the morning, refuel with an outdoor lunch, then head back to the ponds to refine skills over the afternoon.

DAY three

Meet Montana’s premier Blue Ribbon trout streams. Each participant spends the day either floating or walking/wading with their guide and companion on one of the many public or private waters around Southwest Montana. Adaptive equipment is available as needed for the various conditions of our participants.

DAY four

Head out with your guides and companions for a full day of fishing. At day’s end, everyone involved in the week—caregivers, guides, volunteers, and a few staff members—convene at Quiet Waters Ranch for a “Sayonara” dinner.

DAY five

Say goodbye to your newfound family and supporters when we drop you off at the airport. Head home with a refueled tank and plans to continue fly fishing in your local community.  

frequently asked questions

  • You must be a designated primary provider of personal care services for a post-9/11 combat veteran. Your name will be specified on the joint application as the Primary Family Caregiver for the purposes of PCAFC.

  • None. WQW programs are provided at no cost to the participant, including paid-for air travel to Montana, comfortable lodging and home-cooked meals, professional instruction, and gear.

  • Yes! Everything from clothing to equipment is yours to keep. Our goal is to set you up with everything you need so you can continue to tap into your new skills independently without gear as a barrier.

  • Yes, Quiet Waters Ranch is accessible for people with wounds that require accommodations (e.g., track wheelchairs, elevator, ADA accessible bathrooms, etc.). Our staff, guides, and volunteers are well-versed at accommodating various types of accessibility requirements and conditions (including those who are visually and audibly impaired) to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.

  • Yes. WQW has a service dog acknowledgment and agreement that allows service dogs to go fishing with participants.

  • WQW has an active zero alcohol and substance policy on all experiences.

  • Yes, you’ll find both wifi and cell phone service at the ranch. However, the ranch is an ideal place to take a break from your devices and reconnect with yourself and your community. We highly recommend being fully present as much as possible for this one-of-a-kind experience.

JOIN THE WAITLIST

Thank you for your interest in our caregiver programs If you would like to apply at a future date, submit the form below and we will notify you when our application reopens.