At the Open Circle Foundation, we champion resilience and support those dedicated to making a profound societal impact.
We do this through wilderness and community experiences that restore connection to humanity, purposeful action, and spirit.
“On embarking on Open Circle’s program I was hoping for a life changing experience, but I didn't know the depths of that change and what would be required to elicit it. I was faced with challenges, both physical and mental, but the guides "lead without leading" and steered me up the mountain. During our fireside circles, we delved deep into pain points and unpacked years of suffering and trauma. I came out with a renewed belief in myself and what I was capable of. This trip definitely changed my life and I am now putting in the work to ensure others receive value from the work that was done up there.”
– Antonio DeAscanis, Marine Corps Veteran
Help us take ten Veterans on a Life-Changing Healing Journey to Alaska.
This July 2025, in partnership with Atz Kilcher, Open Circle Foundation is honored to take ten Veterans on a powerful healing journey to Heroes Healing Homestead, nestled at the tip of Kachemak Bay, Alaska. In this remote and breathtaking setting, Veterans will reconnect with nature, community, and themselves—finding strength, healing, and renewal.
Watch the videos below to hear Atz Kilcher’s story and Veterans who have already experienced the profound impact of Heroes Healing Homestead.
Your support makes this journey possible. Every donation helps cover travel, accommodations, and essential resources for these Veterans. Join us in making this transformative experience a reality—donate today through the link below.
Strength to Serve 2025
Those committed to grassroots service are often underpaid, overworked and lack meaningful support. Strength to Serve is a two month program to address this.
This video tells the stories of some of our 2024 participants.
Strength to Serve Fundraiser
Attention all hybrid, mountain, and tactical athletes! This message is for those driven by a passion that can only be quenched through complete physical and mental exertion. Are you ready to push your limits and join something greater than yourself? You're invited to participate in an exhilarating race that will challenge you and contribute to a larger cause. This is a fundraising event, and the proceeds will support this years Strength to Serve. Every mountain you scale and every weight you bear will ensure assistance reaches people in some of the world's most challenging environments.
“Open Circle’s philosophy is about helping people become the best version of themselves. It’s not just another feel-good experience that fades away; people walk away with important answers, profound shifts, and a renewed sense of self.”
— Atz Kilcher, Founder of Heroes Healing Homestead Alaska
Our Work
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We lead nature based retreats and wilderness trips to nourish, restore and recenter leaders and organizations that are serving on the frontlines of under served communities.
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We provide coaching and short form education sessions to empower and uplift leaders and teams in navigating the every day challenges of living their mission in action.
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We train leaders and teams to revitalize their communities through catalyzing connection and collaboration.
Current Projects
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Healing Heroes: Songs from the Wilderness
Open Circle has partnered with Atz Kilcher and Heroes Healing Homestead (HHH) as part of its Veteran Wellness in the Wild project. HHH provides a unique adventure into the healing power of shared stories, music and homesteading in the magic of Alaska’s Kachemak Bay. Together we will build the trails and roads that reconnect each of us with the land and our warrior spirit.
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Youth Wilderness Rite of Passage
Make a difference and help low income urban youth access to the transformative power of nature. This project designs and trains educators in transformative wilderness education curriculm for schools and youth community groups in under resourced communities.
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Strength To Serve 2025
Those committed to grassroots service are often underpaid, overworked and lack meaningful support. This program seeks to rebalance that equation.
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Veteran Wellness in the Wild
Wellness in the Wild supports Veterans regain their sense of purpose through experiential wilderness retreats. The aim is to support their mission in the civilian world as they continue to serve in new ways.
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Guiding Change: Scholarships for Training
We serve those on the frontlines of community service. Through our scholarships program we increase the capacity of community and non profit leaders by enabling them to attend Open Circle trainings.
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Wellness in the Wild: Brain Research
Support our ongoing research project on the affect of time in the wilderness on social connectivity, self efficacy, and mental health with University of Utah Applied Cognition Lab.
PARTNER PROFILE
Atz Kilcher, Founder
Heroes Healing Homestead, Alaska
Atz Kilcher is not only known as a military veteran and cowboy poet but also as an Alaskan treasure for his contributions to music and his dedication to supporting veterans. He gained national recognition through the Discovery Channel series The Last Frontier, which follows him and his extended family as they navigate life in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. However, it’s what Atz has chosen to do with that fame that truly makes him a hero.
Passionate about veterans' healing through nature and music, Atz founded the non profit Heroes Healing Homestead in Alaska. This sanctuary provides veterans with the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and nature, offering a space for healing, reflection, and renewal.
Our partnership with Atz Kilcher began in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, through a shared Veterans Wilderness Program. Driven by our mutual belief in the transformative power of the wilderness, our collaboration has grown into a vital partnership, enriching the lives of veterans through healing experiences in nature.
In 2025, Heroes Healing Homestead and the Open Circle Foundation will deepen their partnership, expanding the reach of wilderness-based healing programs for veterans.
Hear more of Atz’s stories and his songs in the Beyond Listening podcast interview with Atz Kilcher, Songs from the Wilderness: Atz Kilcher on Returning to our Roots.
Our Board
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Adam Rumack
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Miriam Jones
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Christopher Arlen
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Jeremy Moore
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Steve Cahn
Open Circle
Open Circle is an organizational development company that works with purpose driven companies to remove obstacles to growth, broaden perspectives, and deepen connections throughout the entire organizational ecosystem.
The Open Circle mission is to transform organizations into thriving ecosystems for the greater good of humanity.