Volts

VENTURE OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP AND GROUP EXPERIENCE

What is Voltage?

A training program for developing the capabilities required to be a competent outdoor activity group leader.
A diverse group of student staff who come together to form a community of people who enjoy working with others in outdoor education.
An opportunity to be involved in Venture on a deeper level than merely participating on occasional trips or group experiences.
An opportunity to learn more about yourself. A chance to get paid for doing work you enjoy.

Who is Voltage for?

Students who love the outdoors
Students who appreciate outdoor adventures
Students who value challenging themselves
Students who enjoy working with people
Students who want to develop leadership and group facilitation skills
Students with tenacity and the willingness to invest the time and energy necessary for a long-term training program

We have always hired students to work as logistics staff and to assist on trips. Through Voltage, we now focus increased attention on training students to play a more active role in leading programs. Students who achieve a high enough level of competence may be able to serve as chief instructor on programs.
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The Variety of Activities

Student leaders can choose to get involved in any or all of the following program areas:

WEEKEND ADVENTURE WORKSHOPS include backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater and sea kayaking, canoeing, caving, and rafting. Typically there are two paid staff and a third staff in an unpaid apprenticeship role on each trip.
TEAM CHALLENGE COURSE (TC) consists of a series of problem solving activities that require group cooperation for successful completion. The course is used with academic classes, clubs, and off-campus youth and corporate groups. Typically, one facilitator works with each group of 10-15 people. Off-shoots of the TC include mobile team building programs, ice breakers and game sessions that Venture facilitates at sites other than the TC.
HIGH ROPES COURSE (HTC) is an "obstacle course on poles" consisting of a series of challenging events 4-35ft. in the air. The challenge course is a unique opportunity for group challenge. It also is used by a variety of student and off-campus groups. Typically, five staff are needed at each HTC session.
INDOOR CLIMBING WALL is an artificial rock climbing facility in the Student Activity Center. Typically, two staff monitor each open session at the wall.
LOGISTICS is the behind the scenes work that is critical to making our programs happen. Typically, four staff work with logistics doing equipment preparation, repair or rental, or food buying. These positions offer more consistent hours than field positions.

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Benefits

Gain technical outdoor skills that will be useful for your own recreation or for working in other outdoor programs.
Improve your leadership and facilitation skills by holding positions in which you have real responsibility for others.
Sharpen your interpersonal skills, which will be helpful in any path you choose.
Develop maturity and judgment through managing increased responsibilities and by receiving honest personal feedback.
Enjoy opportunities for new personal challenges and experiences.
Develop friendships with other students who share similar interests.
Use Venture equipment at minimal cost.
Earn wages for instructing programs.

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What Voltage Requires of You

Students can choose to be involved at varying levels: working in any one or in all five program areas--trips, TC, HTCs, logistics and climbing wall. Trip field staff can focus on only one type of trip (for example, backpacking trips) or on several different trip activities. The more areas a student wants to be involved in, the greater the required time commitment will be.

All Voltage staff are expected to attend monthly staff meetings and certain trainings and will need to obtain certification in First Aid and CPR. Each program area will have additional specific trainings that focus on the knowledge and skills required to conduct safe and effective programs.

All staff positions with Venture involve real responsibility (teaching and facilitating individuals and groups in potentially dangerous settings.) We take safety and quality seriously and expect all of our staff to take them seriously as well.

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Program Purpose

We endeavor to engage people in meaningful and challenging activities that compel them to utilize all their resources for successful resolution.

Through direct experience, participants are able to develop more meaningful relationships with themselves, with others, and with the natural environment. Realistic situations are utilized to maximize human performance and retention of what was learned for later applications.

The program was initiated in 1971 by the University as an adapted Outward Bound course, a three-week intensive wilderness experience. The program has evolved into a year-round experiential learning program serving academic departments, students, organizations, and the greater Charlotte community.

Venture's development of the Voltage program represents a recognition that:
For us to reach more people, more staff are needed. (Voltage enables Venture to serve more people.)
The quality of the learning experience for an individual is greatly enhanced when the student is involved for longer periods and when he or she is given greater levels of responsibility. (Voltage enables us to provide a more in depth growth experience for a small core of students--those who choose to get involved with Voltage.)
The training and learning required to become a competent outdoor leader is a valuable experience no matter what field the student eventually enters. (Voltage is a worthwhile learning experience beyond any of its specific job training aspects.)
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If You Want to Get Involved

Come by the Office and talk with one of the core staff to determine your areas of interest.
We encourage you to take at least one trip, so you can learn more about Venture. (This is a requirement for future trip staff)
Expect to fill out a fair amount of paper work as part of our risk management procedures.
Expect an apprenticeship period of a semester or more, depending upon prior experience and level of commitment, before being given a level of responsibility for which you would receive pay.

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Academic Courses

Interested students can focus part of their academics on Venture type activities.

The Exercise Science Major in the Department of Kinesiology (EXER) requires a number of activity courses which could include any of the 8 courses taught and coordinated by Venture staff. These Venture courses are also available as electives to students of any major.
Please click here to be taken to the academic page for Venture

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