What is Adventuring?

Adventuring is the outdoor club for the LGBT community in the Washington DC area. Our volunteers lead hikes year-round, and in the warmer months we do recreational bike rides too, some shorter and others longer. That's not everything though. Camping, backpacking, and canoeing are examples of some of the other things we do when we have volunteers to lead them. We're all about enjoying the outdoors and being physically active. Not sure whether an activity will be too easy or hard for you? Contact the trip leader to talk about it or come to our annual Spring or Fall Socials, our Summer Picnic, or our Holiday Party to get to know us better. Our Mission Encourage the development of opportunities for outdoor recreational activities primarily for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender community.   Educate gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people in the skills needed to participate in outdoor activities.   Educate the general public by correcting negative stereotypes of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender behavior.   Provide gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people with a more accepting and supportive alternative to existing traditional outdoor groups. Details We're an all-volunteer, not-for-profit club. Usually the only costs for our activities are the trip fee ($2 for day trips or $4 for overnight trips), the sharing of driving expenses if cars are needed, and park entrance fees, if required. Each participant in an activity must sign a liability release form and also indicate on the form whether he or she is willing to be photographed. Not ready for your close-up yet? Don't worry, you're still welcome to come on our trips! You and your friends may attend one or many events without paying annual dues. Instead, Adventuring Members pay-as-you-go. Your $2 trip fee represents your dues, our “Release & Consent” waiver is your membership application, and your membership lasts for that trip only. Non-dues expenses (e.g., park entrance fees, car pool expenses, post-trip meals, etc.) are all clearly spelled-out in the trip description. Doing it this way allows us to make sure that no member pays dues for more activities than they use, and every member pays their fair share. And although we are an LGBT group, we put no restrictions on who may participate, apart from requesting that you be fit or experienced enough to complete the activity. In other words, your straight brother and your elderly (but spry) aunt and your friend from out-of-town are all welcome on our trips, provided they realize most participants will be gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans-gendered.

The Adventuring Committee Contacts

What sorts of trips are available?

You name it: day hikes; short, weekend and week-long cycling tours; camping; cabin trips; skydiving; rafting, sailing and canoeing; skiing and ice skating; etc. The list is limited only by the imagination of our trip leaders. Who are our trip leaders? Anyone like you who proposes a trip and organizes it. We encourage our participants to lead trips whenever they have the urge to try something new and adventurous, or when they aren't satisfied with the current offering.

What don't we do? Organized team or competitive sports, like softball and football, and cultural excursions, such as a museum tour or theater party. There are other regional clubs that handle these activities much better then we do. We define an outing as a non-competitive outdoor activity requiring some sort of physical exertion. The idea is to have fun and get some exercise in the open air, not to rack up points.

How do I find out about scheduled trips?

We publish a monthly newsletter which informs you of all upcoming trips, events and activities with other groups. The subscription fee is $20 a year by postal mail, or free by email. We never sell or distribute the addresses of our subscribers to anyone, so your privacy is respected.

What about social events?

We hold various trip planning meetings over the course of the year, organized by program coordinators. We also schedule one social potluck in the spring and fall, plus a picnic in the summer and a holiday party in December. If you lead one or more trips, you are invited to special dinners and retreats held in the spring and fall.

We're part of IGLOO.

Adventuring is an affiliate of IGLOO, the International Gay and Lesbian Outdoor Organization. IGLOO has member clubs in many US and international cities, and sponsors an annual Jamboree, a ski weekend and a century bicycle ride. You may contact any member of the Adventuring committee to find out more about other IGLOO affiliates and their activities. Here are other IGLOO Links.

Anything else?

We think participating in Adventuring is a great way to meet other men and women who have similar interests in a relaxed environment. There are no attendance requirements—your membership lasts for the day of the activity, and you may come and go as you please. We exist to serve you as a member of the gay community and as a lover of the outdoors.

View Our Calendar of Upcoming Trips

Adventuring, P.O. Box 23655, Washington DC 20026 USA (202) 462-0535

Web designed by www.victorrook.com.