VENTURE CAMPS

ORIENTATIONS MADE FOR ALL INBOUND AGGIES

Find community and learn Aggie traditions while engaging with the great outdoors 

Register HERE
Six students are standing in a group with their arms on each others shoulders give the horns down sign with their hands while standing in a park and trees are in the background.
15 students are standing on the river shore, each having a canoe behind them in the water. They are all looking up at the camera and giving a thumbs up.

WHY
VENTURE
CAMPS?

REASON #1

Peer-led adventure programs that combine Aggie traditions with outdoor experiences. Our trips offer students opportunities to meet each other, develop bonds and learn what it is to be a Fighting Texas Aggie!

REASON #2

Venture Camps provides a beginning space for your aggie network, making a campus (or in this case….world) of 76,000 students feel small, even in a big landscape.

Testimonials

“This camp was absolutely amazing! After being in this camp I officially know what it’s like to be apart of the Aggie family and witness the truly remarkable Aggie spirit!”

– Jayden Fox ’28

“I learned so much about myself, others, my environment, and what it means to be a Fightin’ Texas Aggie. This trip inspired me to get more connected with the world around me.”

– Brooke Best ’27

VENTURE CAMP TYPES

PATH FINDER

Path Finder participants will enjoy a closer knit experience that focuses on collaboration and challenges, centered around exploration in New Mexico.

INSPIRE

Inspire is an opportunity to seek connection through a sample of activities from a central basecamp “home” location, and beyond with beds, showers, and kitchen space.

Venture Camp Trips

PATH FINDER TRIP

Gila Wilderness New Mexico

Come along on a trip out to the backcountry! Join us to backpack over 20 miles of stunning views through canyons, up to vistas, and down to stream beds. Connect and form tight bonds with your fellow participants, enjoy the serene calm of the forest, and get a deeper understanding of the history of A&M and your unique spot in it!

**Summer 2026 details will be released here in spring 2026.**

Price:
coming soon

Registration opening in Spring 2026

INSPIRE TRIP

Basecamp Arkansas

Check out key features of Arkansas in this basecamp style trip! Go hiking along trails in Jasper, rock climbing at Horseshoe Canyon, and Paddling down the iconic Buffalo River! We will be camping in style, enjoying all the fun of day adventures, mixed with some points to connect with one another and talk about being a part of the Aggie community.

**Summer 2026 details will be released here in spring 2026.**

Price:
Coming Soon

Registration opening Spring 2026

What to expect from VENTURE CAMPS?

CATEGORY

INSPIRE

PATH FINDER

Duration (Days)

5 Days

9 Days

Hiking

Backpacking

Rock Climbing

Paddle

Accommodations

Rustic Cabin

Backcountry Tent Camping

Frequently Asked Questions

  •  
  •  

Wonderful Question! Backpacking is the act of packing up a large backpack with all the things you need (eating, sleeping, cooking and water) and hiking into the back country (areas with no designated campgrounds, electricity, toilets, etc.). 

  •  
  •  

  •  
  •  

The only things we will ask you to bring for both trips is your own headlamp, water bottles (2 liter minimum), a day bag, clothes and personal hygiene products. We also ask you to bring a little bit of money, either by card or cash, for the small stops we make for food on occasion. 

We will provide you with all the sleeping equipment you need, as well as cooking materials and food provided for most of the trip with exceptions for pit stops and one restaurant visit on average.  

Yes! We ask that nobody brings large knives (over 6 inches), axes, guns, drugs of any sort, alcohol, medications not prescribed to the participant or large technologies. We have limited room in our vehicles, so we also ask that the participants do not bring more than they need for each trip. That would look like a duffel bag (roughly the size of a check in bag for an airport) and a personal item sized bag with their toiletries, clothes, medications, and additional items of their choosing. 

That’s all up to our participants needs! For either trip, we plan out a meal plan that we present to the students before we set off. We ask that when registering, the student puts in all allergies they are aware of, as well as preferences for meals they would like! In general, though, we use a large amount of simple and complex carbs mixed with healthy fats to keep us adventuring!

Not at all! We look to find ways that everyone can eat a filling and nutritious meal, regardless of restrictions!  

  •  

You ​can ​apply ​for ​the ​scholarship ​to ​cover ​the ​cost ​of ​one ​of ​the ​trip ​offerings! ​Do ​note ​if ​you ​sign ​up ​for ​both, ​the ​scholarship ​can ​only ​cover ​one ​if ​you ​get ​it. ​You ​do ​not ​need ​to ​pay ​immediately, ​so ​feel ​free ​to ​sign ​up ​and ​select ​that ​you ​would ​like ​to ​be ​considered ​for ​the ​scholarship! ​If ​you ​do ​not ​receive ​the ​scholarship, ​you ​can ​enroll ​in ​a ​payment ​plan, ​so ​you ​do ​not ​need ​to ​pay ​all ​at ​once, ​unless ​you ​would ​rather.

  •  
  •  

  •  
  •  

Not at all! Our programs are designed to meet the students where they are at, with a “challenge by choice” mentality, which allows for learning and testing at your own pace. You should anticipate the experiences will be a challenge, along with being amazing, fun, and engaging! 

  •  
  •  

  •  
  •  

Registration for Venture Camp programs goes live on May 1st! Participants will need to be admitted to Texas A&M as an entering freshman or undergraduate transfer student for the summer or fall semester. NOTE: If you are under the age of 18 and attempting to register for Venture Camps, you will need to have a parent or legal guardian complete the registration process on your behalf. This involves the parent or legal guardian creating their own account in their own name and then creating a sub-profile for you to register for Venture Camp. 

During the registration process there will be an opportunity to apply for a full or partial scholarship to assist with Venture Camp program registration costs. We are grateful to Lauren ’08 and Marcus ’06 Dunn and other generous donors who have contributed to allow us to offer a small number of scholarships to participants each year. Individuals who apply for a scholarship will be notified in mid-June about the outcome of their scholarship application. 

No, participants will not be able to participate in a New Student Conference which conflicts with the Venture Camp program dates. Please be sure to double check your schedule before registering for both programs. 

  • Many students who attend a Venture Camp program also attend Fish Camp or T-Camp. The program content at all three programs is similar as each program works closely with the others in developing the content. The biggest difference between the Venture Camp programs and these other extended orientation programs is the group size and location of the program. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, please visit their websites at Fish Camp and T-Camp. 
  • If you are trying to decide between which program to attend, please contact the Extended Orientation office by emailing [email protected]. They will be happy to assist you in considering which program is best for you and your needs. 

CAMP SESSION

PATH FINDER

(Jul. 11-19)

INSPIRE

(Jul. 28-Aug.1)
Fish Camp Session A 

July 21-23 

Fish Camp Session B 

July 24-26 

Fish Camp Session C 

July 27-29 

Fish Camp Session D 

July 30-August 1 

Fish Camp Session E 

August 2-4 

Fish Camp Session F 

August 5-7 

T-Camp, Session 1 

August 12-14 

T-Camp, Session 1 

August 17-18