Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk
Participants are expected to sign a virtual waiver upon registration for a trip. They may also print the Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form and read, sign, and bring it with them on the trip. If access to a printer is not available, the trip leaders will have extra copies of the form on hand. We need a copy of this form signed for every participant. If acting as a guardian for a minor, parents or legal guardians of the minor must sign the Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form in advance of the activity.
Waivers are not required for our Film Festival events.
Refunds/Cancellations/Returns
To receive a refund on an event, cancellations must be made at least three business days (Monday – Friday) in advance of the outing. For example, you must cancel no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday for the following weekend’s trips by emailing info@ventureoutdoors.org or calling 412-255-0564 ext. 229.
Cancellations with insufficient notice, no-shows, and late arrivals who have missed the group’s departure will not receive a refund. Refunds are issued in the form of original payment, unless requested otherwise.
Paid reservations are transferable to other participants. Please notify Venture Outdoors of the transfer in advance of the outing.
Shop purchases are all final. No refunds or returns.
Refunds and cancellations are different for Summer Camps. See Summer Camp policies here.
Weather
Outings are held in all types of weather. Unless contacted by the office or a Trip Leader, it should be assumed that the outing will go on as planned. The Trip Leader Team may cancel an outing anytime leading up to the outing start time and will make every reasonable attempt to inform participants as soon as a decision is made.
Level of Difficulty
The level of difficulty pertaining to any particular outing is listed under the outing on the Activities Calendar, as well as the information sheet for the outing. Participants must agree to skill and capability expectations described. Descriptions of difficulty levels can be found on the activity FAQ Page, or any activity-specific FAQ page. If the Trip Leader Team deems that a participant does not meet the Level of Difficulty criteria, that person may be turned away at the trailhead.
Dog Policy
Service animals are permitted on all Venture Outdoors trips. Pets are not allowed on any trip unless a trip is specified as a “dog-friendly: outing. Dogs must be kept on a leash during the activity unless in an “off-leash area.”
What not to bring on an trip
Venture Outdoors does not allow participants to bring electronic games, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or firearms on any of our excursions. Venture Outdoors discourages smoking on our trips. Some trips may have more specific limitations.
Medical Conditions
Any participant with allergies, asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, or other conditions that may require medical attention should carry the appropriate epi-pen, inhaler, insulin, etc. and should alert the Trip Leader of the condition before beginning the Venture Outdoors activity.
Nondiscrimination in Services
Admissions, the provisions of services and referrals of clients shall be made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin (including limited English proficiency), age or sex.
Program Services shall be made accessible to eligible persons with disabilities through the most practical and economically feasible methods available. These methods include, but are not limited to, equipment redesign, the provision of aides and the use of alternative service delivery locations. Structural modifications shall be considered only as a last resort among available methods.
Any individual/client/patient/student (and/or their guardian) who believes they have been discriminated against, may file a complaint of discrimination with:
- Venture Outdoors, 317 E Carson Street, Suite 160, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, Suite 372, Public Ledger Building, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111
- Commonwealth of PA Department of Human Services, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, Room 225, Health & Welfare Building, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105
- PA Human Relations Office, 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 390, Piatt Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412-565-5395
ADA Statement
If you need an accommodation to participate in activities due to a disability, please contact the Venture Outdoors office, 412-255-0564 or info@ventureoutdoors.org, at least five business days before the event. Venture Outdoors staff will gladly discuss how to accommodate your needs.