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 - Fall 2026
Trip registration opens August 7th at 12pm.
Afternoon Paddleboarding
Try out paddleboarding! Enjoy a peaceful day paddling around on a calm section of water. Our staff will provide instruction on proper paddling technique.
This trip is beginner-friendly. 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. We will meet at 1:30pm at the Venture Out Center and return by 6:30pm.
Dates: August 28th
Cost: $20
Canoeing
Join us out for a day on the water in the beautiful southwest Virginia. Never been canoeing 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 provided. We will meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: August 30th
Cost: $35
Sunset Hike to Buffalo Mountain
Join us for a sunset hike to Buffalo Mountain!
We will do a ~1 mile hike uphill to the overlook, enjoy the sunset, and hike back in the dark (with headlamps)!
Equipment, transportation, light snacks, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 5:00pm and return by 10pm.
Dates: September 4th
Cost: $15
Canoeing
Join us out for a day on the water in the beautiful southwest Virginia. Never been canoeing 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 provided. We will meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: September 6th
Cost: $35
Low Impact Day Hike at Rock Castle Gorge
Join us for a hike at the lovely Rock Castle Gorge!
During the trip, we will take in the scenery, learn about local plants and wildlife, and discuss how to care for the environment. This hike will be under 3 miles and is rated as easy to moderate. After hiking we will plan to visit the small mountain town of Floyd, VA where there will be opportunities to eat ice cream, shop at the country store and listen to local music!
Dates: September 6th
Cost: $32
Labor STAY on the Challenge Course
More information coming soon!
Dates: September 7th
Cost: $20
Sunset Hike to Kelly Knob
Join us for a sunset hike to Kelly Knob!
We will do a ~1.5-mile hike uphill to the overlook, enjoy the sunset, and hike back in the dark (with headlamps)!
Equipment, transportation, light snacks, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 5:00pm and return by 10pm.
Dates: September 11th
Cost: $15
Overnight Canoe
Our local lakes offer plenty of opportunity to explore and camp in solitude. 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.
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. Two days is just enough time to relax and have a little fun before returning to the busy week.
This trip will involve swimming with a life jacket, sitting and paddling in a canoe, and hanging out all day in the sunshine.
Transportation, food, and equipment are included. Plan to meet at Venture Out at 8:30am on Saturday and return by 5pm on Sunday.
There will be a pre-trip meeting on Wednesday, 9/9 at 8pm.
Dates: September 12th-13th
Cost: $75
Mountain Biking Carvins Cove
Come try out mountain biking at Carvins Cove. The Venture Out staff is ready to teach you everything you need to know about riding. 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! This trip will meet at the Venture Out Center at 9:00am and return by 5:00pm.
Dates: September 13th
Cost: $35
Afternoon Paddleboarding
Try out paddleboarding! Enjoy a peaceful day paddling around on a calm section of water. Our staff will provide instruction on proper paddling technique.
This trip is beginner-friendly. 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. We will meet at 1:30pm at the Venture Out Center and return by 6:30pm.
Dates: September 18th
Cost: $20
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. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: September 19th
Cost: $40
Canoeing
Join us out for a day on the water in the beautiful southwest Virginia. Never been canoeing 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 provided. We will meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: September 20th
Cost: $35
Afternoon Paddleboarding
Try out paddleboarding! Enjoy a peaceful day paddling around on a calm section of water. Our staff will provide instruction on proper paddling technique.
This trip is beginner-friendly. 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. We will meet at 1:30pm at the Venture Out Center and return by 6:30pm.
Dates: September 25th
Cost: $20
Family Weekend Challenge Course Open Registration
More information coming soon!
Dates: October 2nd
Cost: $20
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. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: October 3rd
Cost: $40
Queer Adventure Series - Campout
This trip is part of our Queer Adventure Series. The Queer Adventure Series is a partnership with the Pride Center that offers the opportunity to explore the experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ people in the great outdoors. During these programs, we aim to have a good time outside and build community while we learn about queer and trans perspectives on nature and our relationship with it.
Join us for a campout this October as part of LGBTQ+ History Month! On this trip, we will drive to a campsite where we will teach camp setup and the principles of Leave No Trace. Additionally, all participants on October’s trip will receive a free copy of a book discussing LGBTQ+ topics in the outdoors. Be prepared for some excellent campsite cooking, engaging conversation about this month’s text, stories around the campfire, and games designed to make your brain hurt.
We will be camping at a local state park. The campsite will have a fire pit and picnic tables. We will sleep in tents with a bathhouse with toilets and showers close by. There will be time to chill in nature as well as explore the state park.
We will be meeting at the Venture Out Center at 2pm on Saturday and will be finished by 4pm on Sunday. There will be a pre-trip meeting for this trip on Wed, 9/30 at 8pm.
This trip is beginner-friendly, and registration is open to all. Sign-up is managed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dates: October 3rd-4th
Cost: $30
Backpacking
Come backpacking with us and explore the beautiful Grayson Highlands!
This trip is perfect for beginners and people with experience alike. We will provide instruction and tips 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 4-6 miles each day.
Transportation, food, and equipment are included. Plan to meet at Venture Out at 8:30pm on Friday and return by 5pm on Sunday.
There will be a pre-trip meeting on Wednesday, 10/7, at 8pm.
Dates: October 9th-11th
Cost: $100
Day Hike to The Channels
Join us for a hike to the lovely Channels State Forest. This moderate, 6.5 mile hike will take you through beautiful forests and let you explore a unique sandstone maze at the top of Clinch Mountain!
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. We will meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:00am and will return by 6:00pm.
Dates: October 11th
Cost: $32
Bike the New River Trail
Come try out biking on the New River Trail. The Venture Out staff is ready to teach you everything you need to know about riding. Trust us, it's a wheelie good time.
This trip will involve riding a bike for up to 30 minutes at a time over a gravel bike path. The path is level with some hills and great views of Claytor Lake.
Bikes, transportation, and light snacks are provided, just bring your energy! This trip will meet at the Venture Out Center at 10:00am and return by 4:00pm.
Dates: October 18th
Cost: $35
Outdoor Bouldering
Spend a day outside with Venture Out while learning the basics of outdoor bouldering. If you love bouldering at the Venture Out Center and want to try it on real rock, this is the trip for you! Learn about spotting, route reading, and climbing movement in a beautiful creek-side environment.
This trip will involve hiking uphill over rocky terrain with large backpacks, long periods of standing, falling onto crashpads, and of course climbing using your hands and feet.
Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5:00pm.
Dates: October 18th
Cost: $40
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. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: October 25th
Cost: $40
Caving
Escape the cold and join us on an underground adventure! Caves stay 55 degrees all year round.
Learn about the hidden complexities of caves: including cave ecosystems, bats, formations, how caves are formed and more!
This trip is meant for beginners. Expect to walk on mud and uneven terrain, scramble over rocks, and go through sections that are tight enough to require crawling.
Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: October 25th
Cost: $40
Sunset Hike to Bald Knob
Join us for a sunset hike to Bald Knob!
We will do a ~1 mile hike uphill to the overlook, enjoy the sunset, and hike back in the dark (with headlamps)!
Equipment, transportation, light snacks, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 5:30pm and return by 10pm.
Dates: October 30th
Cost: $15
Halloween Intermediate Caving
Get in the spirit and join us on an underground adventure this Halloween!
Learn about the hidden complexities of caves: including cave ecosystems, bats, formations, how caves are formed, and more!
This trip is not recommended for first-time cavers. Expect to walk on muddy, uneven terrain, scramble over rocks, and navigate in tight spaces for extended periods of time. You will crawl on both your elbows and knees as well as on your stomach through squeezes under 3 feet in diameter. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly caving experience, we recommend one of our other caving trip offerings.
Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: October 31st
Cost: $40
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 short trail ride. This trip is completely beginner-friendly.
All needed gear, instruction, transportation, and, of course, your horse will be provided. This trip meets at 1:00pm at the Venture Out Center and will return by 5:30pm.
Dates: November 7th
Cost: $85
Challenge Course Open Registration
More information coming soon!
Dates: November 8th
Cost: $20
Star Gazing Hike
Escape campus lights and join Venture Out for an evening of sunset hiking, outdoor cooking, and stargazing at Fairystone State Park!
While the sun is still up, we’ll hike and take in the views of the area, then prepare a hot dinner to enjoy together. Once night falls, we’ll learn about celestial bodies and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
Equipment, transportation, dinner, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 3:00pm and return by 11:00pm.
Dates: November 13th
Cost: $32
Caving
Escape the cold and join us on an underground adventure! Caves stay 55 degrees all year round.
Learn about the hidden complexities of caves: including cave ecosystems, bats, formations, how caves are formed and more!
This trip is meant for beginners. Expect to walk on mud and uneven terrain, scramble over rocks, and go through sections that are tight enough to require crawling.
Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: November 15th
Cost: $40
Day Hike to Buzzard Rock
Join us for a hike to Buzzard Rock at Read Mountain!
During the trip, we will take in the scenery, learn about local plants and wildlife, and discuss how to care for the environment. This hike is 3.7 miles long and rated as moderate in difficulty.
Transportation, lunch, and instruction are included. We will meet at the Venture Out Center at 10:30am and will return by 5:30pm.
Dates: November 15th
Cost: $32
Caving
Escape the cold and join us on an underground adventure! Caves stay 55 degrees all year round.
Learn about the hidden complexities of caves: including cave ecosystems, bats, formations, how caves are formed and more!
This trip is meant for beginners. Expect to walk on mud and uneven terrain, scramble over rocks, and go through sections that are tight enough to require crawling.
Equipment, transportation, lunch, and instruction are provided. Plan to meet at the Venture Out Center at 8:30am and return by 5pm.
Dates: December 5th
Cost: $40
Important Venture Out Information
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.