Established in 1973, Wilderness Ventures has become the most widely recognized and experienced multi-environmental wilderness program for young adults. Each summer, a variety of expeditions embark upon sixteen to forty day programs designed to teach the acquisition of wilderness skills, leadership techniques and respect for the natural landscape. These goals are accomplished within a non-competitive, nurturing, and fun environment in which students gain self-confidence through challenging activities, learn about themselves and others, and attain a life-long appreciation for the spectacular beauty of these wilderness areas. Wilderness Skills: All Wilderness Ventures expeditions teach a variety of wilderness skills, including, but not limited to: expedition planning; backcountry safety; meal planning, purchasing and preparation; navigation; minimum impact camping; and landscape and natural history interpretation. Specific programs also include instruction in backpacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, snow and ice climbing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The acquisition of these skills develops self-confidence and prepares young adults for a lifetime of enjoyment in the outdoors. Leadership: We believe that leadership involves much more than leading a group safely through a wilderness or to the summit of a peak. All Wilderness Ventures expeditions emphasize the importance of learning how to make decisions and solve problems within a group. These skills are useful throughout life and well beyond the wilderness environment. The small group format and the emphasis on the group experience require that all expedition members learn to place their own personal needs behind the needs of the group. This group focus creates intimate bonding among expedition members and provides each individual with a valuable understanding of group cooperation that enhances social skills for success in life. Wilderness Appreciation: When we founded Wilderness Ventures in 1973, we were fortunate that access to the most spectacular wilderness environments was still available. We are privileged to be able to visit these natural treasures and our travel through these wilderness areas instills in us a responsibility for their future survival. On our expeditions, participants will learn not only the methods of minimum impact camping, but also gain a love for these places and a burning desire to see them saved so that future generations might someday have a similar experience.
