Trips
Venture Out
Venture Out is an excellent way to see beautiful areas, explore, and be active. We provide fun, exciting, and educational outdoor services to students, faculty, staff, and the greater Hokie community. We specialize in outdoor adventure recreation, team building, and quality rental gear at unbeatable rates, as well as a valuable resources to help you plan your own perfect adventure.
We now offer Custom Trips and Adventure Programming. Please use the request form above labeled "custom program request" to begin planning a custom program tailored to the needs of you and your group.
Venture Out: Trip Schedule - Spring 2025
Night Ski/Snowboarding
We are headed to Winterplace Resort in Ghent, West Virginia for an afternoon and evening of skiing and snowboarding. Trip cost includes equipment rental, lift ticket, and an optional lesson.
This is a great trip for anyone learning a snow sport, looking to make friends, or wanting an affordable shuttle to the slopes. We will be meeting at Venture Out, driving an hour and a half, and staying at the resort until 9pm.
Food is not included in the cost of the trip. Plan to bring money for the resort food court.
Dates: January 24th, January 26th, January 31st
Caving
Escape the cold by joining us on an underground adventure! Caves stay 55 degrees year round. This trip will explore a local cave and learn about cave life. Expect to walk, crawl, and scramble over rocks and through mud. We will travel along a route through the cave, see sights along the way, have lunch, and travel back.
This trip is meant for beginners. It will involve periods of darkness, uneven terrain, and sections that are tight enough to require crawling. On this trip, you will learn about cave ecosystems, bats, stalagmites, and how caves are formed.
Equipment, transportation, instruction, and lunch are provided.
Dates: February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, February 22nd
Night Ski/Snowboarding
We are headed to Winterplace Resort in Ghent, West Virginia for an afternoon and evening of skiing and snowboarding. Trip cost includes equipment rental, lift ticket, and an optional lesson.
This is a great trip for anyone learning a snow sport, looking to make friends, or wanting an affordable shuttle to the slopes. We will be meeting at Venture Out, driving an hour and a half, and staying at the resort until 9pm.
Food is not included in the cost of the trip. Plan to bring money for the resort food court.
Dates: February 2nd, February 7th, February 9th, February 16th
Sweetheart Ski/Snowboard
Looking for a great Valentine's date? Bring your sweetheart to Winterplace Resort in Ghent, West Virginia for an evening of skiing and snowboarding. This is a great trip for anyone learning a snow sport, looking to make friends, or wanting an affordable shuttle to the slopes. Trip cost includes transportation, equipment rental, lift ticket, and an optional lesson.
Food is not included in the cost of the trip. Plan to bring a meal or money for the resort food court.
We will be meeting at the Venture Out Center at 12:30pm, driving an hour and a half, and staying at the resort until 9pm.
Dates: February 14th
Horseback Riding
Swing into the saddle and take a ride with Venture Out on horseback. Learn the basics of working with a horse, learn riding technique and go for a 2 hour trail ride.
This trip is beginner-friendly. All needed gear, instruction, transportation, and, of course, your horse will be provided. Participants must wear long pants and closed toed shoes that cover the ankle.
Dates: February 23rd
Caving
Escape the cold by joining us on an underground adventure! Caves stay 55 degrees year round. This trip will explore a local cave and learn about cave life. Expect to walk, crawl, and scramble over rocks and through mud. We will travel along a route through the cave, see sights along the way, have lunch, and travel back.
This trip is meant for beginners. It will involve periods of darkness, uneven terrain, and sections that are tight enough to require crawling. On this trip, you will learn about cave ecosystems, bats, stalagmites, and how caves are formed.
Equipment, transportation, instruction, and lunch are provided.
Dates: March 1st
Bike the Huckleberry
Enjoy a casual bike ride through Blacksburg on the paved Huckleberry Trail. This trip is perfect for individuals new to biking or those who just want to explore their home in a new way.
While participants should know how to ride a bike, trip leaders will go over the basics of how to ride and biking etiquette to start the trip. All equipment and food for the day will be provided.
Dates: March 22nd
Challenge Course: Open Registration
The Venture Out Challenge Course implements a "challenge-by-choice" principle so that individuals can choose their level of participation and difficulty throughout the course. This experience is open to the public and will last roughly 2 hours.
Obstacles include traversing on beams and cables, climbing nets and logs, and swinging between platforms. Participants will have the option to culminate the expereince by exiting course via the swing, leap or zipline. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Venture Out via email.
Dates: March 22nd
Rock Climbing
Spend a day outside with Venture Out while learning the basics of rock climbing. If you've ever been interested in climbing, this is the trip for you! Learn knot tying, belaying, and climbing skills in a beautiful outdoor setting. Our trip leaders will share their love of climbing and passion for the outdoors.
This trip will involve hiking uphill over rocky terrain to the climbing site, long periods of standing, and of course climbing using hands and feet. Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided.
Dates: March 30th
Sunset Hike
Join us for a sunset hike! We will meet at 5pm at the Venture Out Center and drive together to a local trail for a short hike to watch sunset.
We will provide light snacks, necessary equipment, and transportation.
Dates: April 4th
Rock Climbing
Spend a day outside with Venture Out while learning the basics of rock climbing. If you've ever been interested in climbing, this is the trip for you! Learn knot tying, belaying, and climbing skills in a beautiful outdoor setting. Our trip leaders will share their love of climbing and passion for the outdoors.
This trip will involve hiking uphill over rocky terrain to the climbing site, long periods of standing, and of course climbing using hands and feet. Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided.
Dates: April 5th, April 27th
Canoeing
Join us out for a day on the water in the beautiful southwest Virginia. Never canoed before? That's okay, no experience necessary! The New River has class one and two rapids that are perfect for learning the basics of canoeing.
Our Venture Out staff will teach you different strokes, how to read a river, and help you experience the New River Valley in a whole new way. This trip will involve swimming with a life jacket, sitting and paddling in a canoe, and hanging out all day in the sunshine. Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are all included in the price.
Dates: April 6th
Queer Adventure Series: Sunset Hike
Join us for a sunset hike! We will meet at 5pm at the Venture Out Center and drive together to a local trail for a short hike to watch sunset.
We will provide light snacks, necessary equipment, and transportation.
Dates: April 11th
Challenge Course: Open Registration
The Venture Out Challenge Course implements a "challenge-by-choice" principle so that individuals can choose their level of participation and difficulty throughout the course. This experience is open to the public and will last roughly 2 hours.
Obstacles include traversing on beams and cables, climbing nets and logs, and swinging between platforms. Participants will have the option to culminate the expereince by exiting course via the swing, leap or zipline. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Venture Out via email.
Dates: April 11th, April 13th
Accessible Day Hike
Join us for a hike through lovely SWVA! On this trip we will travel to a local trailhead for a group hike.
During the trip we will take in the scenery, learn about local plants and wildlife, and discuss how to care for the environment. Transportation, lunch, and instruction are included.
Dates: April 12th
Intro to Mountain Biking
Come try Mountain Biking on the Poverty Creek Trail. The Venture Out staff is ready to teach you everything you need to know to enter into this amazing sport. Trust us, it's a wheelie good time.
This trip will involve riding a bike for up to 30 minutes at a time over uneven terrain on narrow trails. Bikes, transportation, and light snacks are provided, just bring your energy!
Dates: April 12th
Backpacking
Find out what backpacking is all about! We will hike with everything we need in our backpacks and camp together in the woods.
This trip is perfect for beginners and people with experience alike. Our trip leaders will provide instruction on what to bring, how to pack, campsite selection, tent set up, navigation, cooking, water filtration, and how to be happy and comfortable in the outdoors.
Expect to spend quality time outdoors getting to know the people in your group. This trip will involve walking on uneven trails with a ~35 lb backpack for most of the day. Transportation, food, and equipment are included.
Dates: April 18th through April 20th
Afternoon Standup Paddle Boarding
Try out stand up paddleboarding! Use your core and balance while you paddle around during this day on the water. We will drive to a calm lake or river, provide instruction, paddle around, have snacks, and paddle some more!
This trip is beginner friendly. Come spend time on the water with us and meet some cool people. This trip will involve balancing while standing on the water, swimming with a life jacket, and hanging out in the sun. Equipment, light snacks, and transportation are provided.
Dates: April 25th
Overnight Canoe
Our local rivers and lakes offer plenty of opportunity to explore and camp in solitude. We will paddle during the day with all our food and equipment in canoes, pull off at a campsite for an evening around the campfire, and pack up in the morning to continue paddling downstream. Two days is just enough time to relax and have a little fun before returning to the busy week.
We welcome beginners to canoeing and those new to camping. Our wonderful instructors will teach you how to paddle a canoe, set up a tent, cook outdoors, identify plants and wildlife, and navigate on the water. This trip will involve swimming with a life jacket, sitting and paddling in a canoe, and hanging out all day in the sunshine. We provide all food, equipment, and transportation.
Dates: April 26th through April 27th
Afternoon Standup Paddle Boarding
Try out stand up paddleboarding! Use your core and balance while you paddle around during this day on the water. We will drive to a calm lake or river, provide instruction, paddle around, have snacks, and paddle some more!
This trip is beginner friendly. Come spend time on the water with us and meet some cool people. This trip will involve balancing while standing on the water, swimming with a life jacket, and hanging out in the sun. Equipment, light snacks, and transportation are provided.
Dates: May 2nd
Rock Climbing
Spend a day outside with Venture Out while learning the basics of rock climbing. If you've ever been interested in climbing, this is the trip for you! Learn knot tying, belaying, and climbing skills in a beautiful outdoor setting. Our trip leaders will share their love of climbing and passion for the outdoors.
This trip will involve hiking uphill over rocky terrain to the climbing site, long periods of standing, and of course climbing using hands and feet. Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided.
Dates: May 3rd
Canoeing
Join us out for a day on the water in the beautiful southwest Virginia. Never canoed before? That's okay, no experience necessary! The New River has class one and two rapids that are perfect for learning the basics of canoeing.
Our Venture Out staff will teach you different strokes, how to read a river, and help you experience the New River Valley in a whole new way. This trip will involve swimming with a life jacket, sitting and paddling in a canoe, and hanging out all day in the sunshine. Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are all included in the price.
Dates: May 4th
Important Venture Out Infromation
If for some reason you have to cancel your registration, the following are our refund policies. Please notify ventureout@vt.edu as soon as possible if you need to cancel.
Cancelation more than 14 days in advance: 80% refund, spot trade, and fee transfers are allowed.
Cancellation 7-13 days in advance: NO refund, spot trading and fee transfers are allowed.
Cancellation less than 7 days in advance: NO refund, spot trading is allowed.
For an expedition more than 4 days in length including travel, there will be no refunds within 3 weeks of the start of the trip and no spot trades allowed within 10 days of departure.
- *A fee transfer is when you transfer a credit to a different trip within the same semester. Spot trading is when you have a friend attend under your registration.
- Participants have the duty to act in a reasonable and prudent manner when engaging in recreational activities offered by Venture Out.
- Participants may not participate in any Venture Out adventure related activity while under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances.
- Participants may not engage in harmful conduct or willfully and/or negligently engage in any type of conduct which contributes to or causes injury to any person or personal property.
- Participants may no interfere with the safe running and operation of the expedition, including failure to use safety equipment provided by Venture Out or failure to follow the trip leader(s) instructions in regard to safety or conduct.
- Participants must inform or notify trip leader(s) of any incident or accident involving personal injury or illness experienced during the course of a Venture Out related activity. If such injury or illness occurs, the participant shall leave personal identification, including name and address with the Venture Out center.
- Participants must advise trip leader(s) of any known health problems or medical conditions along with prescription medication(s) that may be used in the treatment of such health during the course of Venture Out activity.
- I, the participant, agree to abide by all Venture Out, Department of Recreational Sports, and University policies/procedures. I agree that I will support an alcohol/drug free environment by not consuming alcohol or drugs during this event. I also agree to follow the instruction and guidance of the university sponsor.