University Days Return to Kayak Pittsburgh

Venture Outdoors is making it easy (and cheap) for area college students to get outside by offering free kayaking with valid student ID at the downtown location of Kayak Pittsburgh on September 14-18. Every student who paddles also receives a free tee-shirt.

And for the rest of the year (through October), students will receive $5 off kayak rentals with a valid student ID. This discount is made possible in part by grants from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and American Eagle .

Kayaking is a great way for students to take a break from the stress of a new semester and can act as an ice-breaker for new roommates, student groups or other college-based organizations. It is also a good way to discover Pittsburgh’s urban beauty by way of three rivers.

With every event or outing, VO also manages to wedge a bit of environmental stewardship or education into the fun and merriment. Students who glide over the three rivers may be inspired to learn more about how to improve these once heavily polluted waterways.

Pittsburgh Connections:
This outreach program is also a part of a greater initiative called Pittsburgh Connections, which strives to enamor students with the natural beauty of our region so that they remain in Pittsburgh after graduation. The problem of talented graduates moving after graduation, or “brain drain”, remains a major concern for our area. And as Pittsburgh’s workforce becomes increasingly “green collar”, educated students with environmental wherewithal will be in great demand.

VO is helping meet that demand by encouraging students to get involved, not only through kayaking, but through the many other outings and training opportunities that VO offers. For example, students can receive valuable hands-on experience through volunteering or by participating in one of the outdoor leadership training programs being offered this fall.

To learn more about kayaking and the other exciting outdoor activities offered by Venture Outdoors, please visit Kayak Pittsburgh’s Website at kayakpittsburgh.org or Venture Outdoors’ website at ventureoutdoors.org, or call 412-255-0564.