Published: August 26, 2025
For military families, summer often brings a much-needed shift in pace. It’s a chance to explore something new and spend time together outside, whether that means a quiet library event or a hike to the top of a glacier.
That’s the mission behind Blue Star Connect Outdoors (BSCO), a program from Blue Star Families that connects military families with nature through accessible, meaningful experiences. As part of the broader Military Families Outdoors (MFO) initiative, BSCO supports family connection, well-being, and resilience through time spent outdoors.
For the Harris family, who are currently preparing for an overseas PCS, these moments helped create memories that will travel with them into their next chapter. For Maritza, a military spouse and nurse, these opportunities also offered a welcome shift from the day-to-day pace of work and parenting.
Finding Time for What Matters
During their time stationed in San Antonio, carving out family time wasn’t always easy. Maritza’s husband John was in medical school while serving in the Air Force, and his packed schedule often meant that much of their free time fell to her and their daughter, Rilyn.
That’s where BSCO came in, giving Maritza and Rilyn a chance to get outside together with no planning required. They joined other military families for everything from hiking at Natural Bridge Caverns to animal encounters at the local library.
Rilyn meets one of the stars of the library’s animal encounter event.
“It’s one of the things I love most about the program, that everything’s already planned out for you,” Maritza said. “You just show up and enjoy.”
Rilyn explores the underground beauty of Natural Bridge Caverns
As they explored more, Rilyn’s curiosity blossomed. On family walks, she used Seek by iNaturalist, a nature discovery app recommended by BSCO, to identify mushrooms, plants, and insects around their San Antonio neighborhood. She even got to try kayaking on her own at Fischer Lake — a first for Rilyn, who had always shared a kayak with her parents before. Maritza said the event gave her daughter the confidence to paddle solo and enjoy that independence.
Two friends kayaking at Fischer Lake
One Unforgettable Hike
A standout adventure for the family came during a trip to Glacier National Park, made possible by Wilderness Inquiry, a partner organization in the MFO program. There, Maritza and Rilyn joined other military families for a multi-day guided experience to explore one of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Together, they hiked more than 15 miles, pushing themselves physically and walking away with a deep sense of accomplishment.
“We had the option whether or not to hike the glacier, and we were like, ‘We came all the way here, let’s do it!’” Maritza shared.
Maritza and Rilyn take in the view
At the top of the glacier, Rilyn stood proudly. “She hiked to the top of the glacier and she said, ‘That was hard, but that was so cool,’” Maritza recalled. “She called my in-laws right after and said, ‘I hiked 18 miles!’”
It became a defining moment for Rilyn. “She felt like, ‘If I can hike to the top of a glacier, I can do anything,’” Maritza added. “And she’s carried that with her since.”
A Calming Counterbalance to Military Life
Maritza says time outdoors has given their family space to slow down in the midst of a fast-paced lifestyle.
“Even at home we try to make it calm, but there’s always a schedule… But when you’re outside, you go at your own pace,” she said. “We’re very grateful, and we wish that every military family knew about the events and resources offered by MFO.”
As the Harris family prepares for their next chapter in Germany, they’re looking forward to finding new places to explore.
“My daughter’s birthday is in September, and told us that she needs to be in Italy for her birthday’” Maritza added with a laugh.