Soul Survivor Outdoor

What Soul Survivor Outdoor does

Soul Survivor Outdoor (SSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Carlsbad, California, that delivers Christ-centered outdoor adventure programs to active duty U.S. military service members at no cost to the participant or the government. Founded in 2014 by retired Marine Corps LtCol Rick Wolf after he developed a wilderness program for wounded Marines at Twentynine Palms, the organization combines high-adrenaline outdoor activities — rock climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, trail riding, surfing, sailing, sporting clays, broomball, ziplining, and ice climbing — with faith-based discussions led by fellow veterans and service members. The stated outcome metric is that 30–50% of participants (and sometimes 100%) make or renew a faith decision during a program, with nearly 20,000 service members reached cumulatively since inception.

The core product is the SSO Resiliency and Spiritual Fitness Program, supported by commander-facing resources (ORM matrices, scheduling tools, insurance documentation) and a content engine comprising podcasts, video updates, and a blog. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery is relationship-driven, scheduled through direct engagement with military chaplains, unit ministry teams, and commanders who request programs via the SSO website. A regional Area Director network (Colorado, Kentucky/Tennessee, Texas, East Coast) executes field operations, while supplementary media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, radio/TV) drives awareness.

The business model is donation-funded rather than fee-based. Revenue streams include individual donations, foundation grants (The Harbaugh Foundation, Amy's Legacy Foundation, Tsuha Foundation, El Pomar Foundation), church and parachurch contributions (Mighty Oaks Foundation, CRU Military, local congregations), vehicle donations through CARS, and non-cash gifts via Edward Jones. Disclosed 2023 revenue was $813,320, with cumulative fundraising of $2.74 million since 2014. The organization operates with a lean team of approximately 8 employees plus a broad volunteer base.

Name

Soul Survivor Outdoor

Legal name

Soul Survivor Outdoor

Website

https://soulsurvivoroutdoor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Soul Survivor Outdoor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free Christ-centered outdoor adventure programs — including rock climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, and surfing — to active duty U.S. military service members, funded entirely through donations and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Resiliency and Spiritual Fitness Programs

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fitness & Performance Retreats (Bootcamps, Sports Conditioning) (THAGAMAH), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Faith-based nonprofit
• Outdoor adventure programs
• Military spiritual fitness
• Resiliency programs
• Veteran-led ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations from Individuals: Individual donors provide financial support to fund programs for active duty military service members.
2. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including The Harbaugh Foundation, Amy's Legacy Foundation, Tsuha Foundation, El Pomar Foundation support operations.
3. Church and Parachurch Partnerships: Financial and volunteer support from church and parachurch organizations including Mighty Oaks Foundation, CRU Military, and local churches.
4. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) for cars, trucks, or boats.
5. Non-Cash Gifts: Non-cash donations facilitated through financial advisor at Edward Jones.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Soul Survivor Outdoor (SSO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that delivers Christ-centered outdoor adventure resiliency and spiritual fitness programs to active duty U.S. military service members at no cost. Programs combine high-adventure activities (rock climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, trail riding, surfing, sailing, sporting clays, broomball, ziplining, ice climbing) with faith-based discussions led by fellow veterans, with the goal of strengthening participants physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

Product overview

Soul Survivor Outdoor is a nonprofit organization offering a single unified program—the SSO Resiliency and Spiritual Fitness Program—that combines Christ-centered outdoor adventure activities with faith-based discussions for active duty military service members. The program includes over 11 distinct outdoor adventure activities (rock climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, trail riding, surfing, sailing, sporting clays, broomball, ziplining, ice climbing, and sailing) as sub-products, all provided at no cost to service members or the government. Additionally, the organization offers supplementary resources including podcasts, video updates, and commander/chaplain program materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SSO Resiliency and Spiritual Fitness Program A Christ-centered outdoor adventure program that combines high-adventure activities (rock climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, surfing, etc.) with faith-based discussions led by fellow service members or veterans. Designed to build physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social fitness in active duty U.S. military service members. Provided at no cost to participants or the government.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 20,000 active duty military service members have attended SSO programs since 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mighty Oaks FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow faith-based military ministry. SSO team members have appeared on Mighty Oaks podcasts; shared mission of serving military with faith-based programs. Advisory board member Jeremy Stalnecker is Co-Founder & CEO of Mighty Oaks Foundation.
• North Coast Calvary ChapelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner providing volunteer support and spiritual resources for SSO programs in Carlsbad, CA area.
• CRU MilitarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParachurch partner providing support for military outreach and spiritual fitness programs.
• Christian SurferscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurfing-focused ministry partner providing joint programs with SSO. Episode 10 of SSO podcast featured partnership discussions with Christian Surfers Southwest Regional Coordinator.
• Ride NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides discipleship resources including 'Rooted - Essentials of Your Faith' study materials for SSO participants.
• Youth With A Mission (YWAM) - Endless SummerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParachurch mission organization partner supporting SSO programs in Carlsbad, CA.
• First Baptist ClarksvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner supporting SSO programs at Fort Campbell (Kentucky/Tennessee region).
• LifePoint ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner supporting SSO programs in Clarksville, TN area.
• Antioch Georgetown ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner in Georgetown, TX supporting SSO programs.
• Recreation Military MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry organization focused on recreational activities for military personnel.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mighty Oaks Foundation: Faith-based military resiliency nonprofit that runs peer-led, combat-veteran-led programs for active duty and veterans. Shares the same target population, Christ-centered mission, and program-style model; Jeremy Stalnecker (Mighty Oaks Co-Founder/CEO) sits on SSO's advisory board.
• Warrior's Ascent: Hosts intensive multi-day resiliency retreats for combat veterans and active-duty service members. Comparable as a faith-friendly, peer-led resiliency program using outdoor/physical challenge to address suicide and mental health — overlapping in mission if not in doctrinal emphasis.
• CRU Military: Parachurch ministry focused on spiritual development and evangelism among active-duty service members worldwide. Direct ecosystem partner of SSO and serves the same active-duty military segment with faith-based programming.
• Operative Reset Foundation: Faith-based retreat and outdoor experience program for active duty military, often run through partnerships with Mighty Oaks. Directly comparable in combining outdoor adventure with Christ-centered resiliency content for the same population.
• Military Community Awareness Ministries (Cadence International): Faith-based nonprofit that places chaplains and spiritual life mentors at military installations globally. Comparable in that it targets active-duty service members with Christian spiritual fitness programs, though delivery is more chaplaincy-focused rather than adventure-based.
• Recreation Military Ministries: Faith-based ministry that uses recreational and outdoor activities to support military service members. Closely aligned mission and methodology with SSO, and listed as a partner of SSO in program delivery.

Emerging players

• Battlefields to Boardrooms: Faith-based veteran transition nonprofit delivering mentorship and resiliency programs for service members and veterans. Comparable in faith-rooted mission and military audience, though focus is on career transition rather than outdoor adventure.
• Christian Surfers USA: Faith-based surfing ministry that partners with SSO on surfing programs. Adjacent in mission and overlapping program activity (surfing as a faith-enrichment vehicle), though it serves a broader general public rather than active-duty military.

Broad incumbents

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): National veteran service organization that uses physical activity and outdoor community events to connect veterans and active-duty members. Comparable in using outdoor adventure as a vehicle for community and resiliency, though secular and broader in scope.
• The Mission Continues: Large veteran-services nonprofit that runs leadership and service programs for post-9/11 veterans. Overlaps with SSO in serving military-affiliated populations through structured programs, though focuses on volunteer service rather than adventure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sso_outdoor
• Facebookfacebook.com/soulsurvivoroutdoor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soul-survivor-outdoor
• Instagraminstagram.com/sso_outdoor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soul Survivor Outdoor