America’s rural communities are home to millions of men and women who have served in our armed forces, many of whom are living with a disability. CoBank has partnered with No Barriers to honor and support these veterans.
With your help, CoBank will identify and sponsor up to 50 veterans with disabilities from rural communities to take part in one of four, multi-day No Barriers expeditions. These experiences offer veterans more than just a mountain vacation. They provide an opportunity to challenge limitations – both real and perceived – and to create a network of support that can last a lifetime. Experiences include:
- Three moderate-level expeditions will take place July 6, August 1 and September 6. These 5-day basecamp expeditions involve rafting, rock climbing and trekking activities. Activities are specifically designed to accommodate participation by veterans with a wide array of disabilities.
- A backcountry expedition will take place July 13. This 6-day expedition will involve a more physically challenging, backcountry itinerary and a mountain summit attempt.
If selected for the CoBank/No Barriers program, CoBank will cover all costs for the participating veteran, including travel expenses.
Nominating a Veteran
CoBank customers may nominate/refer an unlimited number of veterans from their communities for participation. Combat-wounded or training-injured veterans with a VA disability rating are eligible for the program. Nominees may be from any branch of service. Nominations will be accepted from February 16 to July 1, 2023. Applicants will be accepted on a first come first served basis. To ensure consideration, customers should submit nominations as early as possible. CoBank will notify customers if their nominee is selected for an expedition and the full team for each expedition will be announced the week before the event.
To nominate a veteran, please fill out the brief nomination form, providing one copy to CoBank and one copy to the veteran. Please be sure to point the veteran to this page for additional information about the program, or provide them with a printed copy of this information. In order to be considered for an expedition, veterans must complete the CoBank/No Barriers application and submit it directly to No Barriers.
If a veteran does not have internet access, they can contact No Barriers at warriors@nobarriersusa.org or 970-484-3633 x305 for assistance. Once applications are received, nominees will be contacted by No Barriers to begin the next steps in the process. Additional information about No Barriers and its veterans (Warriors) expeditions may be found on the No Barriers website.
Please ensure nominees complete only the CoBank/No Barriers program application. No Barriers has other corporate partners who sponsor other expedition programs throughout the year. This will ensure that they are considered for the CoBank program specifically.