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Campus Resources

Upcoming Adventure Trips

Check out our trips below.  When you are ready to register, go to our registration webpage and be sure to complete each step. 

Join us at our open house to explore how adventure education and experiential learning can work alongside academics and other leadership opportunities to build transferable skills for your post-college career.  From adventure trips to academic courses, explore how we can help you ascend to leadership! You can try out the Climbing wall while you’re there.  No experience is necessary for most of our programs. 

We'll have information on: 

  • Academic classes
  • Weekend adventure trips
  • Student facilitator job opportunities
  • And more!

No registration required. You can RSVP on Niner Engage if you want to receive reminders.

Male-presenting person hangs from a rope attached to his harness as he climbs the indoor climbing wall.

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for our Winter Wanderlust day hike! Designed for both beginners and experienced hikers, our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach as you enjoy the amazing views that only come from a winter hike (no leaves to get in the way of your view!).

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $20
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $30
  • Community - $45

Registration due by Wed, Jan. 17, 12pm.

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Four people with their backs to the camera staring out to the mountain ridges beyond their viewpoint.

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a day of rock climbing at Rocky Face Mountain Recreation Area! Designed for beginner rock climbers (including those with NO experience), our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach as you enjoy the sunny cliff face of this North Carolina park.

Rocky Face Mountain Recreation Area is the traditional home of the Cheraw, Ma'nu (Catawba Indian Nation), Yesan (Tutelo) and Kayauwee (source: native-land.ca).

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $45
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $50
  • Community - $60

REGISTRATION CLOSED

View of the paved road leading to the cliff face

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a hike in the North Carolina mountains! Designed for both beginners and experienced hikers, our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach as you hike to and UP one of the remaining fire towers.  Once used to watch for signs of wildfire, they now serve as a unique vantage point for wilderness views.  The exact location will be determined by the weather as the trip date nears.

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $20
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $30
  • Community - $45

Registration due by Wed, Feb. 14, 12pm

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View from the top of shortoff looking over the linville gorge

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a day of rock climbing at Crowders Mountain State Park! Designed for both beginners and experienced rock climbers (including those with no experience!), our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach as you enjoy our local hiking and climbing area.

Crowders Mountain and its surrounding area are the traditional home of the Sugaree, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, and the Catawba Indian Nation (source: native-land.ca). Crowders Mountain served as a hunting boundary between the Catawba and Cherokee Indians. The Cherokee also used a route over the mountain as a trading route (source: https://www.ncpedia.org/)  

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $45
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $50
  • Community - $60

REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED

Femme person with arms spread wide, smiling at the camera while attached by rope to her harness to the rock face.

Spend your spring break with us! We will be exploring the Looking Glass area of Pisgah National Forest. We will hike a few miles each day, carrying what we need in our backpacks, setting up our campsite in a new location each afternoon/ evening. We'll set up camp and then cook dinner together. We will share sleeping space in tents (2 to 4 people per tent).  Weather permitting, we will take a break from hiking for a day of rock climbing. 

No experience is necessary for this trip. First time campers, hikers, and rock climbers are welcome!

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $190
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $210
  • Community - $250

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting - Monday, Feb. 26, 5:30pm

Registration due by 12pm on Friday, Feb. 23.

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Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a backpacking trip to South Mountains State Park. This area is great for those who have never been backpacking thanks to their well-marked trails and designated campsites. We will work as a team to teach, learn, and hike our things to our campsite for the night. Our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach as you enjoy the green leaves and amazing views from this North Carolina mountain.

South Mountains State Park is the traditional home of the Catawba Indian Nation (source: native-land.ca). The Catawba Valley served as a major travel route for the Catawba and Cherokee (source: ncpedia.org).  

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $95
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $110
  • Community - $150

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Friday, March 15, 3pm-5pm

Registration due by Wed, March 13, 12pm.

 

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Femme person wearing a ball cap and backpack, giving a thumbs up to the camera with a big smile.

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a caving adventure like no other! We will drive out to the caving area on Friday night, camping nearby. Saturday morning will be spent exploring Worley's cave as a group. This is a great cave for those new to caving as there are paths to opt-out of the tight squeezes. Your adventure trip leaders will teach you about camping, caving, ecology, cave preservation, and more throughout this overnight experience. 

The Bristol, TN area is the traditional home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and the S'atsoyaha (Yuchi) (source: native-land.ca)

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $95
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $110
  • Community - $150

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Thur., March 21, 7pm-8:30pm

Registration due by Wed, March 21, 12pm.

 

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Femme person with arms spread wide, wearing a blue jump suit, white helmet, and headlamp. She is standing inside a cave with stalactites overhead and an underground river at her feet.

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for a day of rock climbing. Our location is TBD based on the weather. We are considering the Linville Gorge area if weather allows. Our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach both the technical climbing/ belaying skills as well as the interpersonal skills needed to be a safe and effective climbing team. 

The Linville Gorge area is the traditional home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the S'atsoyaha (Yuchi), and the Catawba (sources: Native-land.ca)

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $45
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $50
  • Community - $60

 

Registration due by Wed, April 10, 12pm

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Person with long hair tied in a low bun, wearing a pick climbing helmet, looks down at their feet while climbing a cliff face.

Join Venture Outdoor Leadership for an overnight trip like no other!  We'll explore a North Carolina river in canoes, following the water while enjoying the views, learning how to work together as a team, and honing the craftsmanship of tandem canoes.  Designed for both beginners and experienced canoes, our adventure trip leaders will guide and teach along the way.

While no experience is necessary, comfort being submerged in water is required. While we don't plan on capsizes, they may happen. The pre-trip meeting will include a water-comfort assessment in the Belk Gym pool. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office at venturedept@charlotte.edu

Exact location will be based on weather and river levels. 

Costs include: Transportation to/from campus; meals; equipment; technical clothing (e.g. rain jackets); instruction. 

  • Student - $95
  • Faculty/Staff/Alumni - $110
  • Community - $150

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting: Friday, April 19, 3pm-5pm

Registration due by Wed, April 18, 12pm.

 

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Person with back to the camera, paddles a canoe on a waterway, wearing bright yellow helmet and orange PFD.