Wilderness Ventures Online Store
The
WV online store will allow you to shop for most of the clothing and equipment required for your upcoming adventure. In addition, you will find the latest and greatest "WV" logo gear available for purchase. Before you begin shopping please keep the following in mind:
- Reference the itemized Clothing and Equipment List you received in your Student Information Packet. This is the complete list of items you will need. Some of these items are not available through our online store. On the lists you will find some of our recommendations for the core items you will need. We have chosen one or two good options for sleeping bags, footwear, and clothing, with additional options available.
- Take advantage of our affordable Rental Program on most of our domestic trips for the following items: sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and backpack.
- Please use gear you already have! Borrowing items from family and friends is a great way to recycle items and put them to good use!
- Finally, 15% of all purchases made through the Wilderness Ventures Online Store will go to "The Hole Idea Scholarship Project Fund," an annual scholarship fund for students who would not otherwise be able to afford a Wilderness Ventures experience.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: (800) 533-2281.
Local Preferred Retailers
In order to assist our students in locating appropriate gear for our trips, Wilderness Ventures has identified preferred retailers around the country. Employees at these retail stores will be familiar with the equipment needed for your Wilderness Ventures trip and be able to assist you in choosing the right gear for your trip. Click here to view a comprehensive list of local retailers around the country.
Gear Rental Program
In an effort to keep equipment costs down, Wilderness Ventures offers a rental program for our students on a few select items. any student enrolled in a domestic program has the option to rent a sleeping bag, backpack, and sleeping pad from Wilderness Ventures. This does not include Hawaii or any International trips. Due to the logistics of gear distribution, our rental program is only available for our domestic programs. We offer sleeping bag, backpack, and sleeping pad rentals both individually and as a complete package.
Preparation Notes
Body Conditioning and Care: It's fun to plan out your gear for your trip, but gear is only half the preparation. The other half is you! Your enjoyment of the trip will depend on several factors.
- Fitness: Any reasonably fit and active teen will be able to handle one of our trips.
- Motivation: It will not always be easy - you must be motivated!
- Teamwork: Our trips require compromise, patience, and selflessness. If you support your trip leaders and your trip mates, you will have a great experience.
- General Health: If you smoke, you'll need to quit now. WE DO NOT permit smiking on any of our trips. It will make the summer more difficult for you.
Your trip will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic level of fitness. The training guidelines below are designed to help you develop a solid fitness basis.
For Hiking Trips
For hiking trips you will also need well broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trips because of blisters from boots that were not broken in.
Four weeks before your departure day:
Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.
Three weeks before your departure day:
Take three half-hour hikes or walks in your boots.
Two weeks before your departure day:
Take three 45-minute hikes or walks in your boots.
One week before your departure day:
Take three hour-long hikes or walks in your boots.
For Biking Trips
Four weeks before your departure day:
Take three 45-60 minute rides. Continue every week.
Three weeks before your departure day:
Must be comfortable getting on and off your bike, braking, and making turns.
Two weeks before your departure day:
Must be comfortable shifting gears and ride 15 miles with ease.
One week before your departure day:
Comfortable riding 25 miles.
