Tucson native Michael “Chappy” Chappell took the long way around finding his purpose as program director of Veteran Engagement & Trail Stewardship (VETS) with the Arizona Trail Association – a project that promotes outdoor therapy as an adjunct to traditional health interventions.
Chappell joined the Navy right out of high school and served two combat tours between 1999 and 2004. Post-service, he bounced around working as an EMT, photographer and community outreach specialist. But something wasn’t clicking.
“I’ve always gravitated to nature and wanted to find a career that centered around the outdoors,” Chappell says. “So, I found NOLS [National Outdoor Leadership School] in Wyoming. I got a huge dose of humility there that really transformed me. I became a hippie overnight.”
Through his work with NOLS, Chappell met Matt Nelson with the Arizona Trail Association, who asked him to start a volunteer service program for military veterans to work on the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT). Chappell didn’t hesitate, and the VETS program kicked off in March 2021.
“I’ve been in the role for three years now, and it’s transformed into something beautiful in unexpected ways,” he says. “We’re doing trail work, of course, and that provides the mission, but the program is also an amazing platform for camaraderie. We use each other, the trail, nature and sharing our collective experiences as a modality for mental health and healing.”
The service-centered program offers no-experience-necessary, multi-day car-camping work events where all supplies are provided; and more intense “Fox Squad” backpacking events into remote areas of the trail.
“It’s not a vacation,” Chappell says. “We’re working, but we use the experiences to reflect on the ‘why’ and the fact that we are still here. I have a Gold Star Family. My wife lost her [previous] husband in Iraq, so we understand what it’s like to have close-to-home sacrifice.”
Chappell also networks with other veteran organizations to address housing, social engagement and health-care issues. “We strive to give vets what they want: camaraderie, community and the opportunity to give back to the natural environment.”
