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ARTICLE. From Venture Free‘s Emily Phelps, May 2025.
At Venture Free Foundation, summer isn’t just about sunshine and snacks—it’s about climbing rocks, surfing waves, exploring rivers, and discovering what kind of leader you might be.
Serving the coastside and surrounding mountains since 2014, Venture Free’s outdoor adventure camps welcome kids ages 4 to 16 for days filled with fresh air, friendship, and real growth. Whether campers are boogie boarding, hiking to a hidden swimming hole, or learning how to belay on the cliffs of the Santa Cruz Mountains, every day brings a new challenge—and a lot of fun.
What truly makes Venture Free stand out is its commitment to peer-to-peer learning. Since its earliest days, VF has mixed age groups; as a result, younger campers can now learn from teen and young adult mentors who were once campers themselves. These leaders—some of which are now seasoned alumni of the program—don’t just know the trails, they know what it means to be a first-timer, a little unsure, or wildly excited. The age diversity allows them to be relatable role models, making big lessons about confidence, responsibility, and impact feel natural—because they happen in the context of laughter, teamwork, and muddy shoes.
Venture Free is also dedicated to helping kids build a real, lasting connection with the natural world. Adventure is used as a tool to spark curiosity, learning, and self-confidence, creating a unique environment where exploration feels thrilling but purposeful. Through daily experiences outdoors, kids practice risk assessment, decision-making, and resilience—all while having so much fun they barely notice how much they’re growing.
“In this setting, leadership doesn’t feel like a lesson—it feels like part of the fun,” says VF director. “Our alumni campers step into leadership roles with heart and experience, and the younger kids look up to them because they see themselves in those roles one day.”
Leaders gain just as much in return—real-world management experience, confidence in their decision-making, and the joy of giving back to a community that shaped them. It’s a cycle of growth and connection that keeps the program strong year after year.
A few spots remain!
Venture Free still has limited openings in Little Mountain Camp (ages 4–6),
Day Camp (ages 7–14), and their Backpacking Trip.
Waitlists are open for the Surf Trip and Rock Climbing Adventure.
To learn more or register, visit https://www.venturefreefoundation.org/summer-camp.html or email [email protected]
Come find out what adventure—and leadership—can really look like!
Author: mdrag
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