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.). 

• There are 24 spots available for the Venture Camp Inspire Trip with 3-5 trip leaders and 2 peer mentors  

• There are 10 spots available for Venture Camp Path Finder with 2 trip leaders and a peer mentor. 

• Once you register for one of our offerings, you will be contacted through your provided email, where we will send you all the needed materials to read over. We will additionally make a chat available for all questions and meeting each other. 

• Another way we will communicate is via “pre-trip meetings” as we get closer to the date we set off for the trip. This will be an opportunity to share names, begin building your network, and get to know the staff taking you out! 

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!  

• All participants are required to read and meet Outdoor Adventures Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)

• The health and safety of our students and staff are a top priority, along with the quality of the program experience for all participants. To achieve our group goals, the individuals on each program must be fully capable of and committed to learning and using outdoor skills, meeting physical and social challenges, and taking care of themselves and each other. 

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.

• The Inspire trip will have access to both at most times, with exceptions being when we go do our daily activities 

• The Path Finder trip will not have access to either for most of the trip. We will instead be disposing of waste in the wilderness or packing it out with us. There will not be access to facilities for this trip.

• Nope! We will have a fully stocked first aid kit with us on each trip. If you find yourself needing OTC medications often however, we ask you to bring the supply you need. 

• (For Path Finder) As part of our first aid kits, we have menstrual pads and tampons, with a “blackout bag” (a non-clear plastic bag) that each participant will be able to carry. 

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! 

• You should have just about everything you need lying in your closet! If there are things that you do not have, consider borrowing from friends or family, or going thrifting for them! Secondhand stores will probably have great options that don’t break the bank. If you are looking for options that might last a lifetime, you could also go over to the REI in town for your outdoor needs. 

• Remember that Outdoor Adventures will provide all technical equipment you need to have a blast. 

• We strongly suggest bringing money on the trip. We sometimes will stop for meals in our plan, or as a victory meal after a great week on the trail!  

• GILA specific: We will be crossing a border checkpoint on the way to GILA. We will not be crossing into Mexico at any point in time, but if you are a student who is not a citizen of the United States, we require that you bring your visa paperwork with you. 

Registration for Venture Camp programs goes live on May 1! 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. 
• Incoming Aggies within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences interested in attending the Aug. 3 – 7 Inspire Trip who are also interested in attending Fish Camp should plan to attend any of the following Fish Camp Sessions : A through D.
• If you have any questions about Venture Camp or other Extended Orientations, please email tgrier@tamu.edu and we can connect you with the appropriate partners.