TVOP strives to create inclusive communities, whether at Basecamp, on the river, or on the trail. A primary goal of any TVOP experience is to create a sense of belonging; to make friends. In an effort to do this, we will practice inclusive relationships and inclusive conversations. What this means is that, while it is important to have close friends or partners, rather than detracting from the community vibe by couple-ing or grouping off to chat with our existing relationships, we will generally all spend time together. We will also strive to pay attention to our topics of conversation and activities we’re doing, and find ways for everyone to be welcome.

Trips into the backcountry and wilderness bring incredible opportunities to focus on the experience around us - nature, the people we’re with, how we’re feeling. Many people seek out this experience in large part because it provides a break from the normal distractions and activities of daily life. To respect this for others and for yourself, we request participants limit their phone use to taking pictures. Or better yet, bring a digital camera and leave your phone in the car! Instructors have emergency satellite communication devices if needed.

Everyone has a different relationship with sexual activity and with substance use. In an effort to make TVOP trips inclusive as much as we can, all TVOP trips are alcohol and recreational substance-free unless otherwise stated in the trip description. If you use a substance for medical or therapeutic purposes and you feel the need to continue doing this on the trip, please contact us and we can discuss accommodations that serve both you and the rest of the group.

There are many wonderful times to have sex - a TVOP wilderness trip in shared non-soundproof tents is not one of them! This includes solo sexual activity. Healthy sexual activity involves the consent of everyone who will be impacted, and this is not possible in the circumstances of most TVOP trips.

There will almost definitely be parts of your trip that are challenging for you! Different things are challenging for different people; maybe the physical challenge of carrying your canoe on portage is the hard part, or maybe it’s communicating with someone with a different background, or maybe it’s sleeping outside! Coming on a TVOP trip is choosing challenge, and growth. We are here to support you in that challenge, in return we ask that you know your limits and communicate if you’re nearing a place that doesn’t feel good for you.

On your trip, you will be taught proper methods of gear care, and also practices that can limit our negative impact on the environment around us (Leave No Trace and Conscious Impact Living). You agree to treat the gear and spaces we occupy with respect and care, and never intentionally damage them.

By joining a TVOP trip, you are agreeing to participate in the activities of that trip. There will be times it’s okay to hang on your own, but for the most part we will be doing things as a group. Along with this, it’s very important that you listen and follow the directions of your instructors. Instructors have a lot of experience in the environment you’ll be in - so whether it’s an instructor suggesting you put on another layer, or an instructor teaching you a new way to handle conflict, you agree to try.

TVOP trips are known for the close knit community bonds that form on them. Participants and instructors treat each other with kindness and compassion. We create a little family out there, and strive to create the positive communication and treatment we’d like to see everywhere.

TVOP prohibits discrimination, harassment or any form of mistreatment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or any other marginalized identity or community.

Mistreatment can take many forms, including such things as explicit threats, slurs, derogatory gestures or drawings, unwelcome comments (sexual or aggressive), and also microaggressions (whether intentional or unintentional). Abuse/assault is unwanted physical, aggressive, or sexual contact from one or more individuals.

Participants who engage in mistreatment such as microaggressions will be kindly educated around the impacts they are creating, and if they continue, this behavior will be considered intentional harassment.