Wilderness Adventures

Specialties

Founded in 1972, Wilderness Adventures provides teenagers with the opportunity to travel the world with outstanding leaders, participate in once in a life time actives and develop leadership and self-​confidence, self reliance and lasting group leadership skills.

Teenagers will also learn the skills for a lifetime of safely enjoying the outdoors; and offers them a fun outdoor experience relevant to your life beyond the outdoors. We also teach students the responsible use of wild lands and concern for the continual preservation of these areas for future generations.

History

Established in 1973.

Founded in 1972, Wilderness Ventures provides teenagers with the opportunity to travel the world with outstanding leaders, participate in once in a life time actives and develop leadership and self-​confidence, self reliance and lasting group leadership skills.

Teenagers will also learn the skills for a lifetime of safely enjoying the outdoors; and offers them a fun outdoor experience relevant to your life beyond the outdoors. We also teach students the responsible use of wild lands and concern for the continual preservation of these areas for future generations.

Meet the Business Owner

Mike C.

Business Owner

Mike and Helen Cottingham are the founders, owners, and directors of Wilderness Ventures. The enjoyment and satisfaction they gained from living in wilderness environments and teaching prompted them to found Wilderness Ventures in 1972 with the hope that many young men and women would be given an opportunity to have a similar experience.

Since its inception, their program has met with extraordinary success and has grown steadily to become the oldest, most experienced, and leading outdoor adventure travel program for young adults. The directors have both had extensive experience working with young adults. Mike received his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame in 1968 and his M.Ed. from Xavier University of Ohio in 1972. Helen received her B.A. from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1969. They both taught in Cincinnati area schools prior to becoming full-​time directors of Wilderness Ventures. Today they are responsible for planning and program development.