Filtering by: Mid Atlantic
Fall Hike - New Jersey
Nov
22
10:00 AM10:00
Mid Atlantic

Fall Hike - New Jersey

Fall Hike - New Jersey

November 22, 2025 — 10:00 am - 11:30 am ET
Last day to register: November 20, 2025

Join Volunteer Brenna for a fall hike at their favorite State Park!

This hike is a two mile loop with approximately 300 feet of elevation gain along a tree-covered trail. We will move nice and slowly up the inclines, take our time stepping along a rocky path hugging a shallow river, and stop to admire a beautiful waterfall along the route.

The trail is a combination of paved, gravel, and dirt paths. We will move at the pace of the slowest hiker, as this event is all about spending time outdoors together with queer community! There are portajohns at the trailhead and plenty of free parking. Please note that there is limited to no cell service during the hike.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Morris County, NJ (Lenni-Lenape lands)
Parking: Lots of free parking at the trailhead
Pets: Pets are welcome at this event! Pets must remain on-leash and be friendly to other dogs/pets that may be on the trail or show up at the event.
Meet: November 22, 2025
Hike: 2 miles, 300ft elevation gain
Cost: This event is completely free to access!  We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs.  We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Water, snacks, layers

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in a hike.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

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City Day Hike: Decolonizing Holidays - DC
Nov
30
10:00 AM10:00
Mid Atlantic

City Day Hike: Decolonizing Holidays - DC

City Day Hike: Decolonizing Holidays - DC

November 30, 2025 — 10:00 am - 1:00 pm ET
Last day to register: November 28, 2025

Join The Venture Out Project for a morning hike in DC!

This season we’re channeling all the anti-colonial, pro queer vibes, and getting outside with community as much as we can! This 5-mile roundtrip hike will follow the woods that make you feel like you are not even in the business of DC. We hope you can join us!

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them. If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Rock Creek Park area, DC (Massawomeck, Shawandasse Tula lands)
Parking: There is a small parking lot at the trailhead with room for at least 15 cars but it is worth arriving early and carpooling is encouraged.
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends who are not service animals remain at home for this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: November 30, 2025
Hike: 5.8 miles, 627ft elevation gain
Cost: This event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Sturdy hiking shoes, at least 32oz water, snacks, and layers, depending on the weather.

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required at this event. Please be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

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Winter Meteor Shower and Star Party - Virginia
Dec
20
5:00 PM17:00
Mid Atlantic

Winter Meteor Shower and Star Party - Virginia

Winter Meteor Shower and Star Party - Virginia

December 20, 2025 — 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET
Last day to register: December 18, 2025

Join TVOP for an evening under the stars as we learn from Virginia State Park staff and NASA representatives about the importance of preserving dark skies, light conservation, and the latest in space exploration.

We'll spend the rest of the evening viewing the stars, planets, galaxies and meteors up close using telescopes under the guidance of members from the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club.

Winter offers some of the clearest and crispest skies for optimal stargazing. Bundle up and join us as we observe the night sky from one of Virginia's designated International Dark Sky Parks!

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them. If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Markham area, VA (Manahoac, Shawandasse Tula lands)
Parking: Must pay to enter this state park. There is ample parking space in designated parking lot.
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends who are not service animals remain at home for this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: December 20, 2025
Cost: The parking/entrance fee applies to all vehicles, so carpooling is encouraged. Park entrance/parking day pass fee is $10 per vehicle. Other than parking fees, this event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Warm layers (e.g., jacket, fleece pants, winter hat, gloves, hand warmers), water, snacks, blanket or lawn chair. You’re encouraged to bring a red light if you have one, as white light will disrupt everyone's night vision.

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required at this event. Please be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

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TVOP x DC Pynk: Sapphic Sunday Run 10/19 - Washington, DC
Oct
19
8:00 AM08:00
Mid Atlantic

TVOP x DC Pynk: Sapphic Sunday Run 10/19 - Washington, DC

TVOP x DC Pynk: Sapphic Sunday Run 10/19 - Washington, DC

October 19, 2025 — 8:00 am - 10:30 am ET
Last day to register: October 19, 2025

Join TVOP and DC Pynk for Sapphic Sunday Runs, a new collaborative run happening every third Sunday of the month!

This month's run is a 3-mile run in NE DC. We will be running exclusively on pavement. The entire route is exposed to the elements but we will mostly be protected from cars, although we will be sharing the path with pedestrians and cyclists.

About Sapphic Sunday Runs:

Sapphic Sunday Runs are about movement, building community, and exploring different parts of DC. These runs are organized in collaboration with DC Pynk, a sapphic, trans, non-binary run club based in DC.

Anyone who identifies as sapphic, trans, or non-binary are welcome! Runs will generally be held on the 3rd Sunday of each month and the distance will range from 2-3 miles. All runs will start no earlier than 8am and are expected to be within walking distance of a metro station in the DMV. Runs will be led at a 11-13 mins/mile social pace, involve a mix of road and paved trail, and are expected to end at a local cafe/bakery for participants to socialize after.

All experience levels are welcome - we don't leave anyone behind. Runs will generally happen rain or shine but will be cancelled due to thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, icy/unsafe road conditions, or blizzards. Runs will start or end in different parts of DC - exact locations will be sent to registered participants. Participation in this event is free, but participants may choose to include a sliding scale donation to The Venture Out Project.

This year, you can find us running on:

October 19th

December 21st

Runs in this series will be posted on a monthly basis. Please note that space is limited, and registration is required for each run. Please cancel your registration if you realize you can’t go so that other people can attend!

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them. If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Washington, DC (Piscataway and Nacotchtank lands)
Parking: Street parking
Pets: Friendly dogs on leash who like to run with humans are welcome at this event. Please let us know if you plan to bring your pup!
Meet: October 19, 2025
Run: 3 miles, mostly flat
Cost: This event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Water, snacks, running shoes, hat, credit card or cash (optional)

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required at this event. Please be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

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Queer Birding 101 with the Feminist Bird Club - Washington, DC
Oct
4
10:00 AM10:00
Mid Atlantic

Queer Birding 101 with the Feminist Bird Club - Washington, DC

Queer Birding 101 with the Feminist Bird Club - Washington, DC

October 4, 2025 — 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Last day to register: October 2, 2025

The Venture Out Project is partnering with the Feminist Bird Feminist Bird Club DMV DMV chapter to bring an introduction to birding event specifically for queer and trans folks!

The Feminist Bird Club is dedicated to providing a safe space for women, queer people and people of color to connect to the natural world. TVOP and FBC are excited to host a small birding walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to bring together queer and trans folk who are curious about the world of birding. Together, we will learn basic birding skills, go on a short birding walk, and do a short activity where we learn about just how gay birds can be. (Spoiler alert: animals are loudly gay, just like us!)

Kenilworth is a great place to start your birding journey; with over 250 species of birds observed, we may see ground nesting, aquatic, and woodland birds in the gardens and marshes surrounding.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them. If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Washington, DC (Piscataway and Nacotchtank (Anacostan) lands)
Parking: There are lots of parking spaces, including four van-accessible spaces. There are bathrooms located inside the Visitor Center, which can be accessed via a ramp.
Pets: Friendly pets on leash are welcome at this event. Please let us know if you plan to bring your pet!
Meet: October 4, 2025
Hike: 1 mile, negligible elevation change
Cost: This event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. 50% of all proceeds from this event will be donated to the Feminist Bird Club. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Bring and drink water during the outing to stay hydrated, consider wearing sunscreen! Bring your own binoculars and bird books if you'd like although not necessary. We'll have up to eight pairs of binoculars to lend out and a couple bird ID books/apps to share for figuring out what birds we see and/or hear. Masks are not required, but we ask everyone to physically distance and to wear a mask if they need or want to.

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required at this event. Please be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

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Duke Farms Tour - New Jersey
Sep
27
3:00 PM15:00
Mid Atlantic

Duke Farms Tour - New Jersey

Duke Farms Tour - New Jersey

September 27, 2025 — 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET
Last day to register: September 25, 2025

Join TVOP Volunteer Brenna for a very special guided tour of Duke Farms, a nature center which focuses on environmental conservation, restoration, and climate science.

This tour will include a sculpture garden, orchid range, and great meadow, as well as highlight Duke Farms' carbon negative & nature positive techniques such as solar panels, rain gardens, and bioswales. All paths we will be taking are accessible. Please let us know if there are ways we can make this event more accessible for you when registering.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Hillsborough Township, NJ (Lenni-Lenape lands)
Parking: Free parking, but each car must reserve a parking pass on the Duke Farms website. (Brenna will include instructions in a pre-event message to registered attendees!)
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends remain at home for this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: September 27, 2025
Hike: 2-4 miles depending on group interests, negligible elevation change.
Cost: This event is completely free to access!  We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs.  We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Water, walking shoes, a snack.

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in a hike.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

View Event →
Shenandoah Long Hike - Virginia
Aug
23
8:00 AM08:00
Mid Atlantic

Shenandoah Long Hike - Virginia

Shenandoah Long Hike - Virginia

August 23, 2025 — 8:00 am - 5:00 pm ET
Last day to register: August 21, 2025

Join the Venture Out Project for a day of hiking in Shenandoah National Park! We’re planning on completing an ~8 mile loop, but there is an option for a shorter loop. The 8-mile route would include ~1,600 ft of elevation change. Come enjoy the stunning views, navigate a few valley stream crossings, and soak up the beautiful meadows and waterfalls scattered along our route. With the weather forecasted to be a little cooler in August, it’s the perfect time to get out and adventure with us!

Note: You are responsible for your transportation to the trailhead. Carpooling is encouraged! Registrants will have the opportunity to coordinate carpools amongst themselves in the week leading up to the event.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them. If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Shenandoah National Park (Monacan, Shawandasse Tula, Manahoac lands)
Parking: Parking is at the end of a country road with room for at least 20 cars, but it is worth arriving early and carpooling is encouraged.
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends who are not service animals remain home on this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: August 23, 2025
Hike: 8 miles, 1,600ft elevation gain
Cost: This event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Hiking shoes, at least 32oz water, packed lunch or good amount of snacks, sunscreen

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required at this event. Please be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in this event.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

View Event →
Queer Fossil Hunting - New Jersey
Jul
20
10:00 AM10:00
Mid Atlantic

Queer Fossil Hunting - New Jersey

Queer Fossil Hunting - New Jersey

July 20, 2025 — 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Last day to register: July 18, 2025

Are you curious about the geology of New Jersey’s streams and brooks? Join TVOP Volunteer Brenna for a morning of wading through a freshwater creek and searching for Cretaceous fossils. The Cretaceous period began about 145 million years ago and ended about 66 million years ago. At that time, New Jersey was submerged by ocean water, and prehistoric animal remains accumulated on the seafloor. Fast forward to present day and brooks and streams eroding the ground have exposed these marine fossil layers. We will move slowly along a 0.4 mile trail to access a babbling brook within a wooded area and wade through the brook while searching for marine fossils. The trail itself is narrow and will require walking in a single-file line, and includes one small wooden bridge which requires one step up and one step down to access. The brook is about 3-4 inches deep with a bottom of solid sediment and some rocks. Shark teeth are very common in this area! All experience levels are welcome on this beginner-friendly outing! Footwear you are comfortable walking in water with is highly recommended. Please let us know if there are ways we can make this event more accessible for you when registering.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated at this event.

GENERAL INFO

Location: Monmouth County, NJ (Lenni-Lenape lands)
Parking: Paved parking lot with plenty of spots
Pets: Dogs on leash are welcome. Please give us a heads-up if you plan on bringing your pup!
Meet: July 20, 2025
Hike: 0.8 miles out and back, negligible elevation change
Cost: This event is completely free to access!  We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs.  We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Water shoes, crocs, sandals, or similar footwear; drinking water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, towel, small backpack or bag, hat for sun protection, and a sieve, colander, or similar for the activity (let us know if you cannot bring one, TVOP can provide!) Wear clothes you are comfortable getting wet, bathing suit shorts recommended.

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in a hike.

Register

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.

View Event →