VENTURE OFF’S MISSION
We exist to cultivate lifelong servant leaders, united as a team to become more like Christ and strive to build skills that empower students to live adventurously in God’s creation.
BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW VENTURE OFF GOT STARTED AND WHY IT EXISTS
Venture Off was created as a summer extension to the adventure program that currently takes place at The University School. The adventure program was started by the head administrator, Jeff Cooper, in California in 2003 and transferred to Colorado when they opened a new school (The University School). USCO opened in June of 2006 and has always had adventure as one of its 5 core values. Seeing how impactful the adventure program was to students at USCO we created summer opportunities under the name Venture Off to give students outside of the school similar opportunities. We believe that there is so much to learn in the wilderness both physically and spiritually and believe there is no better classroom than the outdoors for developing servant leaders and passionate followers of Jesus.
DURATION OF TRIPS OFFERED
Venture Off has trips ranging from 2-10 days.
EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING ELEMENTS INCLUDED ON TRIPS
- Daily devotion or quiet times
- Solo experience (either a few hours or day-long solos)
- Teachable moments or trail talks along the journey
- Having participants share their testimony or life story
- Rock climbing
- Backpacking
- Canyoneering
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL WILDERNESS TRIP?
An experience that challenges students physically, spiritually and mentally. It gives them plenty of space to be alone with Jesus, but also plenty of time as a team encouraging and pushing each other. Allow students to see and experience places that they could never go on their own.
HOW VENTURE OFF POINTS PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND HELPS THEM GROW IN THEIR FAITH
By giving students space in the outdoors without distractions to point them to a creator and allow time to worship that creator.
COST
Trips cost $500-$600.
WEBSITE
TESTIMONIAL
“My daughter Rebecca had never done anything like this before and, honestly, she was a little apprehensive. But you should have seen her on the day I picked her up! Excited, full of stories all the way back to Texas, and wanting to go back next year! This was a fabulous experience for her!” – Mike Chrasta
