The Outdoor Venture Center (OVC) offers outdoor recreation opportunities to both the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) community and the general public.  It offers a diverse set of programs (trips, workshops, classes) each year. The OVC travels throughout the local area and neighboring states including South Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.  Locally, there are hills, lakes, rivers, forests, an alpine ski hill, cross country skiing, backpacking, canoeing, sailing and mountain biking.  Backpacking and rock climbing are accessible on weekends.  More advanced programming areas are within one day’s drive and suitable for long weekend and weeklong adventures.  The program also operates a 3,200 square foot climbing wall, complete with boulder, rappel tower and lead climbing capabilities; and an equipment rental center.  The rental center boasts over 5,000 square feet of space, indoor boat storage, a private drive and a spacious lobby.

The OVC offers many different kinds of activities including backpacking, biking, canoe and kayak touring, rock climbing, cross country skiing, mountain biking, wilderness first aid and leadership training.  Many of these activities are led by the director and graduate assistant.  Outdoor Venture Center programs are also led by volunteer leaders with leadership training and supervision conducted by the program director and graduate assistant.  The OVC is also staffed by 10-15 student employees that work in the rental center and climbing wall, and provide basic climbing and paddling instruction.