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Venture Out With The Outdoor Venture Center

OMAHA - Imagine shredding slopes, scaling cliffs, backpacking through desert landscape, or learning emergency first aid practices.

UNO's Outdoor Venture Center (OVC) not only provides the opportunity to learn these skills, but also to experience them firsthand.

Located in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) building, the OVC has been encouraging Mavericks to get out and explore for more than 30 years. The OVC offers a 2,500 square foot climbing wall, an equipment rental center, and guided outdoor excursions.

The OVC’s most recent venture took 15 Mavericks to Snowy Range Ski Area near Laramie, Wyoming. Participants had two full days on the mountain, with rental equipment and lift access at no additional cost.

Skill levels ranged from beginner to experienced, but each skier and snowboarder embraced the arctic adventure with confidence.

Graduate Assistant Cambri Shanahan was one of the trip leaders.

"I saw people of all abilities take to the mountain very well and have a lot of fun. It has always been a passion of mine to get people outdoors and encourage new experiences," Shanahan said.

"Our mission is get people outdoors, and we offer a variety of fun ways to do so."

 Cambri Shanahan

The group stayed in nearby cabins, cooked meals together, and played games at night.

"I would definitely go on another trip with the OVC. In fact, I plan to go on several more in the next year," freshman Garrett Uecker said. "Don't let intimidation or fear get in between you and a great time. These trips are a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills and work on ones you already have, as the OVC staff looks out for you without compromising the adventurous nature of the outing."

Some consider these trips to be one of UNO’s best-kept secrets, but the OVC wants every Maverick to know they are invited to explore with them.

"It's hard to believe the majority of students, faculty, and staff at UNO aren't aware of what we have to offer," Shanahan said. "Our mission is get people outdoors, and we offer a variety of fun ways to do so."

Upcoming trips include rock climbing at RoKC in Kansas City, climbing and camping in Arkansas during spring break, and a weekend paddling down the Republican River in April.

Current students enrolled in academic courses on campus, and faculty and staff members with a valid campus recreation membership travel at a lower price than public participants. Trip information and registration can be found on the Spring 2017 Trip Schedule.

For more information, contact Joseph Hanseling, assistant director of Outdoor Venture Center, at jhanseling@unomaha.edu.