The Rods for Wheels Organization
Making the Outdoors Accessible to Everyone
The Rods for Wheels Organization is a veteran-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to removing the barriers that keep individuals with disabilities from experiencing the healing power of nature.
Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Veteran-Founded & Operated
100% of Donations Support Our Programs
All Donations Are Tax-Deductible
Our Mission
For millions of people living with disabilities, the outdoors can feel completely out of reach. Specialized equipment costs thousands of dollars. Transportation is a challenge. Support is hard to find.
The Rods for Wheels Organization exists to change that.
We provide accessible fishing trips, nature outings, and outdoor recreation experiences for individuals with disabilities by removing the three biggest barriers that stand in their way: cost, access, and support.
From adaptive equipment and transportation to hands-on guidance on the water, we handle the logistics so our participants can focus on what matters: being outdoors, breathing fresh air, and experiencing something that too many people take for granted.
What We’re Working to Change
Cost
Adaptive outdoor equipment, transportation, and insurance costs can total thousands of dollars, expenses that most families simply cannot afford. We cover these costs so participants can get outside without the financial burden.
Access
Getting to a river, lake, or trail with the right equipment is a major challenge for individuals with disabilities. We provide the adaptive gear and handle the logistics of getting our participants to the water and into nature.
Support
Many individuals with disabilities don’t have access to people or organizations that can help facilitate outdoor experiences. We provide hands-on support, trained volunteers, and a welcoming environment so every participant feels safe, comfortable, and included.
Why This Organization Exists
After more than 40 years spent outdoors, from serving in the Marines to traveling across the country for work, founder David Kuhn’s life changed in an instant when a serious car accident forced him to confront a question he’d never had to ask before: What if I could never enjoy the outdoors again? During his recovery, David discovered that while many organizations support veterans in outdoor recreation, very few exist for individuals with disabilities outside the veteran community, including people who were born with disabilities or whose lives changed due to illness or accident. The answer was clear: everyone deserves the chance to experience what nature has to offer. The Rods for Wheels Organization was founded to make that possible.
Support Our Mission
Become a Sponsor
Businesses and organizations can partner with us through our tiered sponsorship program. Gain meaningful community exposure while directly supporting accessible outdoor recreation.
Make a Donation
Every dollar goes directly toward providing outdoor experiences for individuals with disabilities. From adaptive equipment to transportation and trip logistics, your contribution makes a tangible difference.
Donate Equipment
Have fishing gear, life vests, or adaptive equipment you’re no longer using? Donated equipment helps us expand our programs and get more people outdoors. All donations are tax-deductible.
One Day Can Change Everything
Not long ago, someone joined us for a day on the water who hadn’t spent meaningful time outdoors in years. Life had been heavy, and the weight of everyday struggles had taken its toll.
At first, they were quiet—just taking in the sound of the water and the calm around them. Then something shifted. As the line cast out over the river and the breeze moved across the water, the tension slowly faded. There were smiles, laughter, and a moment of stillness where they simply said:
“I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
It wasn’t just about fishing. It was about peace, connection, and remembering that there is still calm in the world. That’s the kind of impact a single day outdoors can have—and your support helps us create more moments like this.
Together, We Can Make the Outdoors Accessible to Everyone
Whether it’s a financial contribution, a business sponsorship, or a piece of equipment you’re no longer using, your support helps someone experience the healing power of the outdoors for the first time.