The laughter started before the first kayak touched the water. A group of women veterans – some meeting for the first time, others reconnecting after years – gathered along the lakeshore in Hot Springs, Arkansas, ready for a day designed just for them. The 2025 Arkansas Women Veteran Summit brought them together to share stories, sisterhood, and healing. The kayaking event, hosted by HOW’s Arkansas chapters, offered the perfect close to a weekend focused on connection and community.

Kayaks lined the shore as volunteers adjusted life jackets and offered encouragement. For many, it was their first time on the water. The air was full of anticipation, and something deeper. These women had worn uniforms, led missions, and faced challenges most people will never see. Now, they were here to simply breathe, laugh, and find peace in nature’s rhythm.

When the first kayaks pushed off, the tone of the day shifted. Conversations faded into laughter that carried across the lake. “Josh said it best when he described hearing them ‘cackling and having the best time,’” said Alicia Droddy, Assistant Coordinator for the Heroes on the Water Junction City, Arkansas Chapter. “The joy and camaraderie were contagious.”

Around 30 women veterans paddled that day each bringing her own story, each finding something different in the stillness of the water. “You could tell that being on the water gave them a sense of peace and freedom that many hadn’t felt in a while,” Alicia shared.

Priscilla Montoya, Volunteer Program Coordinator with HOW, shared one moment that stood out to her. She took a woman veteran out in a tandem kayak who was hesitant to go at first. “She said she was both ‘a little nervous, but also happy and peaceful,’” Priscilla recalled. “Back on shore she said it was an experience to be 67 and in a kayak for the first time.”

As the kayaks glided back to shore, the conversations deepened. The women lingered together over a shared meal, swapping stories, phone numbers, and laughter that echoed long after the paddles were set aside. Hollie Scoma, Women Veteran Coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and organizer of the statewide summit, saw the impact firsthand.

“The Arkansas Women Veteran Summit was everything we hope for and more filled with laughter, camaraderie, and connection,” she said. “The weather couldn’t have been more perfect as women veterans from across the state came together to share stories, support and sisterhood as well as kayaking, our kayaking, adventure offered the most peaceful and beautiful and to an unforgettable weekend from the delicious food to the thoughtful giveaways. Every detail made by Heroes on the Water was fabulous! This event will be talking about it for a long time to come.”

While the women were the heart of the event, a strong network of volunteers worked quietly behind the scenes to bring it all together. The kayaking experience was a joint effort between three HOW chapters: Northwest Arkansas, Junction City, and Hot Springs, supported by community partners and the Hot Springs High School NJROTC.

“Bringing this event to life took a lot of coordination and teamwork between chapters and volunteers, and it truly showed how powerful collaboration can be,” said Alicia. “Brian from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter put in an incredible amount of effort to get everything planned and organized. Our Junction City Chapter helped host the on-the-water portion. Josh got out on the water, I helped fit PFDs, and Joey and Allan from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter teamed up with JROTC students from Hot Springs High School to help launch the kayaks. Everyone played a part in making the day run smoothly and ensuring every participant felt welcomed and supported.”

The Northwest Arkansas Chapter shared their gratitude in a post-event message, thanking the many hands that made the day possible – from Buff City Soap for donating 100 sample bags, to The Mad Hatter Cakery and Hot Springs Super Center Bakery for desserts, and Ouachita Bar & Grill for preparing a hearty meal. “Whether you got on a kayak or not, thank you for sharing your time with us,” Brian wrote.

As the kayaks returned to shore and the sun dipped lower, gratitude filled the air. “They were so appreciative that we hosted them and created a space just for them to unwind, connect, and heal together,” Alicia reflected. “My hope is that they took away not only memories of a fun day but also a renewed sense of community… knowing that they’re seen, supported, and celebrated.”

For the women veterans, the experience was a moment of belonging, a breath of peace, and a reminder that healing can happen when you least expect it.

Heroes on the Water helps veterans, active-duty military, law enforcement officers, first responders, and their families reconnect and heal through kayak fishing and outdoor recreation. Backed by our Operation Early Impact study showing significant improvements in mental health, stress reduction, and overall well-being – our approach delivers real results.

We provide support through two core programs: our Volunteer-Led Chapters, offering community-based kayak fishing nationwide, and our Therapeutic Programs, which partner with VA and DoD facilities to serve veterans and active-duty military in treatment. All programs are provided at no cost to participants, giving our heroes a space to decompress, reconnect, and reclaim hope.

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