UNC Charlotte Venture Outdoor Leadership

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 s

kills 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.

05/01/2026

Congratulations to KB and Lauren on finishing your undergraduate degrees! You have made Venture and the Charlotte community better by being a part of it ❤️🌲🥾

Congrats Marc! Super excited for your next adventure 🥾
12/12/2025

Congrats Marc! Super excited for your next adventure 🥾

11/26/2025

Almost time to say “See ya later alligator” to another semester of trips, team building, classes and personal development 🐊

That post-Odyssey smile! Love having the Intro to Outdoor Adventures class out to the course- connecting theories from c...
09/30/2025

That post-Odyssey smile! Love having the Intro to Outdoor Adventures class out to the course- connecting theories from class to real life. Today was all about the power of embracing challenge to activate long-term learning.

👀 Something wild this way comes! Campfires, caves, and climbs 🔥 ⛺️ 🧗‍♀️ 👍 Come alone or come with friends🥾 Come for the ...
09/08/2025

👀 Something wild this way comes! Campfires, caves, and climbs 🔥 ⛺️ 🧗‍♀️

👍 Come alone or come with friends
🥾 Come for the first time or the tenth
🌲 We’re ready to take education outside and into the wilds of North Carolina



Water, water everywhere… and spots are filling fast!  Register via bio link or go to:venture.charlotte.eduRafting, canoe...
09/02/2025

Water, water everywhere… and spots are filling fast! Register via bio link or go to:
venture.charlotte.edu

Rafting, canoeing, camping - There’s something for everyone over the next 2 weekends 😎

Our Odyssey has a new element installed! We updated this element to add a new challenge to the ground level of the High ...
08/26/2025

Our Odyssey has a new element installed! We updated this element to add a new challenge to the ground level of the High Team Challenge Course.

The Odyssey section of the HTC is pretty unique - you work together as a team of 4 to navigate across each of the 3 levels. You’ll need excellent communication, trust, and a willingness to receive support from your team.

Where will your Odyssey lead?

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

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