Want to Get your Youth Group Outside?
Venture Outdoors offers special programs for organized youth groups. Our Youth Outdoor Adventure Program (YOAP), has been providing exciting and educational outdoor programs for youths in Western PA since 1998. These programs are specially designed for scout troops, schools, religious groups, community centers and other youth-serving agencies or programs.

Each activity teaches participants educational skills, ethics associated with the activity, and about the environment, themselves and their peers. Some of the best learning and personal growth situations are those that provide opportunities for experiential learning, a process through which participants develop knowledge, skills and values directly from their experiences.

Some Benefits of Getting Young People Outdoors:

• Develop new recreational interests and skills
• Learn about themselves and their role in the community
• Build self confidence
• Strengthen self esteem
• Improve peer dynamics
• Foster a greater understanding of environmental issues and ethics
• Improve decision making skills

Current Trip Activities:

Kayaking - Canoeing - Caving - Fishing - Hiking - Geocaching

These exciting outdoor adventure trips are conducted at the beginner level and require no prior experience or equipment.

Ready to Get Outside?
Group size: To allow for more individualized attention, groups should be no larger than about 15 children. Larger groups may be accommodated by special arrangements. Adult chaperones are required to stay with their group and are encouraged to fully participate in the activities.

Group age: Youth between 10 - 18 years old. Some programs can be adapted for younger age groups.

Staff: Trip staff are experienced adults who are certified in First-Aid, CPR.

Duration: Trips are typically a 1/2 Day (3-4 Hours) or Full Day (6-8 Hours) depending on the activity and desired outcomes. We currently do not provide overnight programming. The program operates year round with trips applicable to the seasons.

Gear: All gear (such as canoes, helmets, fishing poles and life jackets) is provided for participants. Everyone is required to wear/bring appropriate clothing and shoes for each activity and the day's weather.

Food: Groups are responsible for supplying their own lunch (food and drink) each day.

Transportation: Groups are responsible for their own transportation to and from the sites.

Destinations: We try to keep your travel times to a minimum. Most activity sites are within a 1 hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh.

Costs: $15 - $40 per person depending on activity. For those groups that need it, some partial scholarships may be available to help defray costs.

Contact
To inquire or register for a youth activity, please contact: Jeremiah Morrison - Program Coordinator 412-255-0564 x33 or jmorrison@ventureoutdoors.org