THE NSV APPROACH and PHILOSOPHY
An Inch Wide And A Mile Deep
About NSV Workshops
An Inch Wide. A Mile Deep.
North Star Valor is intentionally focused. We don’t try to be everything to everyone—we offer a small number of immersive, high-touch veteran retreats each year. That “inch wide and mile deep” approach lets us do the work that actually changes things: small cohorts, real attention, meaningful creative practice, and genuine community.
Just as importantly, our model doesn’t end when the retreat ends. We love bringing in new participants, and we also make room for past participants to return—because growth doesn’t happen in one weekend, and community shouldn’t be one-and-done. At NSV, you’re not just attending a program—you’re joining a circle you can come back to.
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
North Star Valor is a small-cohort, high-trust community. To protect the experience for everyone, we ask every participant to show up with respect, maturity, and care for the group.
Our retreats are built on creativity, nature immersion, and connection—so we maintain a culture of safety, inclusion, confidentiality, and personal responsibility. The full Code of Conduct outlines expectations around communication, boundaries, substance use, harassment/discrimination, and what happens if standards aren’t met.
You can download our Code of Conduct here: NSV_Participant_Code_of_Conduct
“This program inspired me to slowly warm up to the idea of getting out of my home and into nature. This has been a struggle. Yesterday was the first time I went outside of my comfort zone and went hiking. I know that without my experience with the NSV program, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“An amazing experience, I would encourage veterans to look into this experience.“
“Alec always went above and beyond to share his knowledge and expertise in photography with us. He would go out of his way to spend time with and connect to each of us individually. Alec not only made it easy to understand in his teaching style and approach, he made it fun and the laughing for me was therapeutic in itself.”
Your Volunteer Instructors and support team
Alec Johnson - Instructor
Since 2018 Alec has volunteered with Honoring Our Veterans and is now the Executive Director of North Star Valor. He lives in Saint Paul, MN and is a part-time professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas. He is also a freelance automotive and architecture photographer, and award-winning fine art landscape and portrait photographer. Early in his career, Alec was a professional test driver for Goodyear Tire Co.
Michael Phillips - Instructor
Michael Phillips is a retired US Army Helicopter Pilot, CW4. A father and accomplished photographer. We’re so very lucky to have Micheal supporting North Star Valor. You can view his photography on Instagram @suncoast_photography
Tom Hall - Support Team and Board Member
Upon an honorable discharge from the military Tom earned a bachelor’s in political science from Iowa State University while playing defensive end for the football team before completing my master’s degree in international relations from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is currently enrolled for my Doctorate in business administration with the University of South Florida with a focus on rural American businesses
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchall18/
Guy Townsend - Support Team and Board Member
US Army Veteran Guy Townsend.
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Our Location
Saint Paul, MN