Venture Bound - About

College is better when you start with friends. On Venture Bound, you’ll spend five days backpacking, learning, and laughing with other incoming students and student leaders who can’t wait to welcome you.

As an adventure education program, you can expect to face challenges and experience joy in equal measure. Through conversations and guided reflection, you and your peers will find the connection between what you experience in the wilderness and what you experience at home or on campus. 

2026 Venture Bound

Monday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Sun, July 12, 2026 - Registration and Payment deadline to qualify for early move-in.

• If you have a fall campus housing assignment, you can move in on August 9!
• To qualify, you must have submitted:
  • The online registration form, and
  • Payment
• Medical History form must be received by Mon, July 20 or your registration will be cancelled and you will be removed from the early move-in list.

Mon, July 13, 2026 - Financial Assistance Consideration Deadline

• Online registration form must be received by this date.
• Medical History form must be received by July 20 or your registration will be cancelled.

Mon, July 20, 2026 - Registration Deadline

• Online registration form must be received by this date.
• Payment must be received by this date.
• Medical History form must be received by this date.

Mon, July 20, 2026 - Cancellation Deadline (eligible for full refund prior to this date)

You can earn 2 fall semester academic credit hours for attending Venture Bound!

Course: KNES 2230 - Wilderness Experience

College & Department: College of Health and Human Services, Applied Physiology, Health and Clinical Sciences (APHCS)

What does this credit count toward?

• Activity class requirement for many APHCS majors.

• Minor in Outdoor Adventure Leadership

• May also count toward other majors and minors; talk to your academic advisor to confirm. 

How do I get the credits? 

1. Participate in the trip.

2. Completing post-trip assignments. 

What assignments will I need to complete? 

Assignments will include a reflection paper and meeting/ reunion of Venture Bound participants to reflect back on the trip and your first semester at UNC Charlotte. Assignments will be due sometime between September and November. 

You can indicate your interest in receiving credit on the application.

$300, includes:

• Instruction and guidance from trained leaders.
• Equipment, including that for backpacking, camping, cooking, water filtration, and canoeing.
• Meals and snacks - Starting with lunch on Monday and ending with lunch on Friday.
• Technical clothing, including waterproof jackets and pants and fleece/ warm layers.
• Transportation to and from program area.

Not included:

• Base layer clothing - e.g. shirts, pants, underwear, socks
• Anticipated 2026 fee - $25/ night early move-in fee charged by Housing and Residence Life (total cost was $75 for 2025; only applies if you choose to move in early).

Grants/ Reduced rates available

• The cost of this experience has been reduced to try to make this experience more accessible, but we understand there is still may be a financial barrier for some.
• If a reduction in cost would make this experience more accessible to you, you can indicate as such on the registration form. 

NOTE - To be considered for a reduced fee, you must complete all registration steps (except making payment) by the deadline (see Dates above).