NEW STUDENTS

Are you interested in jump-starting your college career at Texas A&M by sharing in exciting experiences with fellow new Aggies? Venture Camps are designed with you in mind. The Extended Orientation Team in the Department of Student Activities has partnered with the Outdoor Adventures Program in the Department of Rec Sports to welcome first year students, transfer students, and other undergraduate student populations through the Venture Camp Programs. Program offerings change from year to year depending on various factors, so we recommend you visit our website to learn more about the programs available each year. Past programs have included 9-day backcountry backpacking trips in Eastern New Mexico, weeklong paddling trips along the Buffalo River in Arkansas, as well as a weeklong base camp program where participants will stay in a common location at night and take part in different activities like rock climbing, hiking, and paddling each day. On all our programs, participants can expect to meet other incoming students, current students, and staff, learn about the traditions and core values of Texas A&M, hear about campus resources to help them in their transition to Texas A&M, and to challenge themselves in new ways through different activities.

Previous outdoor experience is not required for any of these programs, but a willingness to be an active participant and a team player is very important!

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our Extended Orientation Team or call (979) 845-0695 for more information.

VENTURE CAMPS: CONNECT


Venture Camp: Connect is a 4-day program that takes place in Central Arkansas and will provide participants with the opportunity to stay in bunkhouse style lodging and participate in various activities such as rock climbing and hiking during the day. Throughout the program, participants will engage with current student mentors who will facilitate small group activities and discussions about traditions, campus resources, and college life at Texas A&M. Program activities are subject to change depending on conditions at the time of the program.

12 PARTICIPANTS

$350 PARTICIPANT FEE

JULY 21-24, 2024

VENTURE CAMPS: DISCOVER


Venture Camp: Discover is a 4-day program that will be taking place simultaneously and in the same location as the Venture Camp: Connect program in Central Arkansas. Participants will take part in day trips like hiking and rock climbing. On the final night of the program, participants will paddle along the Buffalo River and camp overnight along this scenic river. Similar to Venture Camp: Connect, participants will engage throughout the program with current student mentors who will facilitate small group activities and discussions about traditions, campus resources, and college life at Texas A&M. Program activities are subject to change depending on conditions at the time of the program.

12 PARTICIPANTS

$350 PARTICIPANT FEE

July 21-24, 2024

VENTURE CAMPS: CHALLENGE


Venture Camp: Challenge is an 9-day program led by trip leaders from Outdoor Adventures who will guide incoming Aggies through the beautiful Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. While exploring this beautiful terrain, students will learn about Aggie traditions, college life, and campus resources in a unique setting! Participants will participate in peer-led group discussions with current Texas A&M students about college and life at Texas A&M.

12 PARTICIPANTS

$350 PARTICIPANT FEE

JULY 30-AUGUST 7, 2024

REGISTRATION


Ready to register? You are in the right place! Registration is live on April 10, 2024! Follow us on Facebook for registration and program updates.

Venture Camp is looking forward to another great year of welcoming new students to Aggieland, and we are continually excited to partner with incoming Aggies as they transition to Texas A&M through outdoor experiences.

Thank you to the generosity of Lauren ’08 and Marcus ’06 Dunn, scholarships are available to those who demonstrate financial need. Participants will be able to apply for full or partial scholarships during the registration process.

If you have specific questions about our programs and the experiences offered, you can request information here. 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.

PHOTO GALLERY

Check out some of the events, activities, and locations you’ll experience! as part of Venture Camp!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Check out our FAQ for more information about our Venture Camp programs!

How do I sign up?

Registration for Venture Camp programs goes live on April 10, 2024! Participants will need to be admitted to Texas A&M as an entering freshman or undergraduate transfer student for the 2024 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.

The registration fee for Venture Camp programs is $350 and covers all lodging, meals, transportation to/from Texas A&M’s campus in College Station, program materials, outdoor recreation equipment, fees for certified staff, and access to activity sites.

The full registration fee must be received to confirm your spot in the program you select. If you are unable to pay the full registration fee at the time of registration, please contact Dalton Jones to discuss possible payment plan options. All registration fees must be received by the registration deadline. Payment may be made using a credit or debit card or electronic check.

The Texas A&M Department of Student Activities must pay a variety of charges to its partner institutions to hold and secure places, equipment, and transportation services for Venture Camp students. Some program expenses are incurred well before the program begins based on the number of students who sign up. Therefore, it is not possible for payments to be refunded in full if a student chooses to withdraw from the program. The refund policies are:

Any student who withdraws from the Venture Camp program must notify the Venture Camp Staff in writing by emailing Dalton Jones.

  • 30 days or more prior to camp program start date – 90% refund – $315.00

  • 29-15 days prior to camp program start date – 50% refund – $175.00
  • 14-7 days prior to camp program start date – 25% refund – $87.50
  • 7 days or less to camp program start date – 0% refund – $0.00

Please keep in mind that refund amounts are based on date of cancellation in relation to the program start date and not in relation to your registration date. To officially withdraw from the program or for questions about cancellations or refunds, please contact Dalton Jones.

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.

Check-in and Check-out for both programs will be held on the Texas A&M main campus in College Station. During the program, participants will travel to Central Arkansas or the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico where the programs will take place. For Venture Camp: Connect, participants will be staying in cabins. For Venture Camp: Discover, participants will be staying in cabins and on the last night will tent camp along the Buffalo River. For Venture Camp: Challenge, participants will be tent camping along the trail.

Unfortunately, no. These programs occur at various locations, and participants are only able to check-in for the program on the first day and check-out of the program on the last day. Anyone who is not available for check-in on the first day will not be able to join the program later. Additionally, participants will not return to College Station until the last day, so leaving early is also not an option. Participants will not have access to their personal vehicles throughout the duration of the program. Please be sure your schedule can accommodate the full program schedule before you register.

We can provide meal options for most any need during our programs; however, it is very important that you inform us of these needs prior to camp during the registration process so that we can be prepared. Most food supplies and meals will be purchased and packed prior to the program’s start date. If you would like to speak to a staff member about your needs prior to registering, please contact Dalton Jones or call (979) 845-0695.

Many Venture Camp activities can be adjusted for students with different abilities and skill levels; however, there are certain abilities that are required to participate in this program because of the nature of the activities and uncontrollable environmental factors. If you would like further information or clarification, please email Dalton Jones at [email protected].

For additional information regarding the services available to students at Texas A&M and to speak with someone about how to develop an access plan, students are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Resources for lasting or temporary access concerns. Venture Camp staff can work with the Access Coordinators in Disability Services to discuss options for an access plan

A packing list will be sent out to all participants when registering for the program and will also be included in your final confirmation letters before camp. Venture Camp staff will provide most of the equipment and supplies necessary to participate in the different activities in our programs. If you have any questions prior to registering, do not hesitate to reach out to Dalton Jones.

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 very 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. They will be happy to assist you in considering which program is best for you and your needs.