UNC Charlotte Venture Outdoor Leadership

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UNC Charlotte Venture Outdoor Leadership UNC Charlotte's adventure leadership program since 1971. Develop your leadership skills through adven Venture Outdoor Leadership began in the fall of 1971.

A steering committee was appointed by the Chancellor to send a group from UNC Charlotte to North Carolina Outward Bound. Fifteen UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff participated in this program. The pilot program was a two week wilderness experience sponsored by Outward Bound. During those two weeks the individuals traveled into the Linville Gorge area and the Great Smokies. They learned skills in backpacking, rock climbing, map and compass reading, bushwhacking, first aid and leadership. The pilot program was a success and the Office of Student Affairs developed the Venture program independent of Outward Bound. Since that time, Venture has continued to grow and expand into a unique experiential learning program. Workshops offered through Venture have included: whitewater kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, spelunking, backpacking, sea kayaking, bicycling, cross country skiing and rafting. Venture also offers a Group Initiative Course and a High Ropes Course. As Venture grew, it became evident that more student leadership was needed to enable us to meet the desire for our programs. In 1991, we started the Venture Outdoor Leadership Training And Group Experience (VOLTAGE) program, which has become very successful. We now train and hire students to lead programs in all of our activity areas. As Venture continues to grow, our goal is to not lose sight of where we began. For a number of years, in the spring, Venture offered an extended wilderness experience much like the original pilot program that sparked the Venture Program. The Venture Experience: An Extended Wilderness Trip was a nine day multi-element trip in May. The purpose of this experience wasto get "back to the basics" of where Venture began. The focus of the trip was similar to that of an Outward Bound course: an opportunity to learn about yourself and others in an outdoor environment which is challenging and fun.

10/08/2026
10/07/2026

What a class! Got to use the botanical gardens to teach stewardship, including Leave No Trace 🍁 Here are some of the results of the photo scavenger hunt based on the 7 principles and bonus beauty shots of the garden at the end.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs Applied Physiology UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services

10/01/2026

Itching to disconnect? Sick of the noise?

Escape for Fall Break to the Roan Highlands and hike a section of the Appalachian Trail with us!

Still don’t have Fall Break plans? We’ve got you covered. Don’t let Future You regret missing out.

Secure your spot for the Roan Highlands Backpacking Trip here:
venture.charlotte.edu (or link in bio)

UNC Charlotte Student Affairs UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services Applied Physiology UNC Charlotte

What a hike! Thanks for joining us on the Fall Colors hike. The fall colors were just barely starting, but we made the m...
09/29/2026

What a hike! Thanks for joining us on the Fall Colors hike. The fall colors were just barely starting, but we made the most of the views at Grandfather Mountain.

UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs Applied Physiology UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services

What a great trip! A great opportunity to disconnect from the stress of campus and reset for the mid-semester push 🛶 🏕️ ...
09/23/2026

What a great trip! A great opportunity to disconnect from the stress of campus and reset for the mid-semester push 🛶 🏕️

Canoeing and camping makes me so ready for this fall weather 🍂


UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services Applied Physiology

09/14/2026

Why not do something different this fall break? Unplug and connect in the Roan Highlands 🏕️
Register by Tue, Oct 6 at noon
venture.charlotte.edu (or link in bio ✌️)



UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs Applied Physiology UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services

Tuesday at 12pm is the deadline unless it fills sooner! Enjoy a September weekend at Lake Jocassee 🛶 Put those Lake Day ...
09/04/2026

Tuesday at 12pm is the deadline unless it fills sooner! Enjoy a September weekend at Lake Jocassee 🛶 Put those Lake Day skills to good use.

UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services Applied Physiology

Next trip on deck! Learn the basics of rock climbing while enjoying some time outside. We’ll provide everything you need...
08/28/2026

Next trip on deck! Learn the basics of rock climbing while enjoying some time outside. We’ll provide everything you need from instruction to transportation to equipment. Just bring yourself and your smile 😊

Register by Wed at 12pm
venture.charlotte.edu (or LinkTree in bio) ✌️

UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs Applied Physiology UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services

Can’t believe we’re wrapping week 2 of classes and we already did so much!✅ 15 new students returned from Venture Bound ...
08/27/2026

Can’t believe we’re wrapping week 2 of classes and we already did so much!
✅ 15 new students returned from Venture Bound ready to take on the semester 💪
✅ Staff training completed 📋
✅ Climbing wall scheduled 🧗‍♀️
✅ Gold Rush trips filled 🥾
✅ Over 350 Niners completed team building with us 🤝
✅ Wrapped 2nd week of academic leadership classes 🧐

Niner Insider UNC Charlotte UNC Charlotte Student Affairs UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services Applied Physiology

Come work with us! We are hiring for a 30-hour a week, in-person administrative assistant to support our adventure educa...
08/21/2026

Come work with us! We are hiring for a 30-hour a week, in-person administrative assistant to support our adventure education program.

Note- This is a professional role, not a student job.

This position provides the basic administrative support, office management, and resource and procedural assistance for all the programs delivered by Venture, and the office support for four full-time outdoor adventure professionals. Serves as the primary program resource for billing and contractual correspondence with challenge course clients, the registration of participants on trips, and the renting of camping equipment.

Salary and application details are at
https://jobs.charlotte.edu/postings/70105

Address

9201 University City Boulevard, 108 Belk Gym
Charlotte, NC
28223

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17046870697

Website

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