The Venture Out Project

Oliver Reitz is an Administrative Coordinator & Instructor for the Venture Out Project. Oliver (he/him/his) lives in Western Massachusetts with his partner and their two dogs. He is originally from Indiana, where he spent his youth climbing trees and swimming with catfish. As an adult, Oliver spent years leading LGBTQ organizations and promoting LGBTQ education and advocacy all over Southern Indiana. After moving to Massachusetts in 2014, he got involved with The Venture Out Project from its start and rediscovered his love of the outdoors. He has since become passionate about hiking, backpacking, and map-reading. Oliver is a Wilderness First Responder and has a degree in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Massachusetts. He spends his free time hiking his favorite trails, rock climbing, and searching for swimming holes.

Could you give our audience a little background on the Venture Out Project and their mission?

The Venture Out Project Started in 2015 as a way to introduce queer and trans folks to the outdoors. We teach people how to backpack, read maps, cook in the backcountry, hang bear bags, and we provide all of the equipment for them. We’ve also branched out into other activities like skiing, rock climbing, and canoe camping. Most importantly, TVOP has been an amazing way to help people build and find community via the outdoors.​

What inspired you to join the team?

I moved to Massachusetts from Indiana in 2014. I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I needed queer friends and I wanted to start being outside more in this beautiful place. Then I came across a Queer Snowshoeing event online. I immediately joined, since it combined the two things I had been wanting. That was the first ever TVOP hike. I fell in love with TVOP and with the outdoors. I started volunteering and leading trips, and eventually, this became my main job.​

What is the biggest lesson you have learned since becoming an instructor and administrative coordinator for the Venture Out Project?

I’ve been a shy, awkward participant on TVOP trips, and I’ve been a much more confident, but still a little introverted leader on TVOP trips. Having been in both roles, I can say that the greatest lessons I’ve learned have been about making everyone feel welcome. Figuring out the kind of leader someone needs in a short amount of time, and then being that leader, has been a lot of work, but seeing those people make connections - with each other, with the outdoors, within themselves - has been such an amazing reward.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, did you ever feel that you were less welcome or at somewhat of a disadvantage in the outdoor recreation and leisure industry compared to your peers who identify as heterosexual?

I hold a lot of privilege. I’m white. I’m Male. I can even “pass” as straight if I want to. That being said, I still have always felt a little out of place in group settings. Hiking and backpacking was not something I ever did in Indiana, it just wasn’t as popular there. When I moved out east, I knew I wanted to get outside more, but I had no idea where to start. As a young queer person, I didn’t have much money for gear, and I knew any sort of group activity would leave me feeling anxious and alone. That’s why something like TVOP was crucial for me. I was put into an environment where I felt comfortable, so I was able to learn and have a good time without worrying what people thought about me.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle keeping more LGTBQ teens and young adults from recreating in the outdoors?

I think representation is important. But even more important is that the people who already exist in the outdoors need to be better. Adventure leaders, camp counselors, clothing retailers, they all need to know just a little more so queer people don’t feel like they need to explain themselves every step of the way and they can just exist and be free to join in.​

How do you think the outdoor rec. industry could be more inclusive and welcoming to the LGTBQ community as a whole?

There are so many steps that can help. Using the right pronouns for people (and not assuming them), getting rid of the gendered language and gendered bathrooms, thinking about who they think “likes to be outside” and then completely throwing that list away and starting with anyone. Anyone can enjoy the outdoors, but they are obviously not going to enjoy it with you if they don’t fit into that list of who you think should be there.​

Why do you think exposure to the outdoors and the natural world is important for today’s youth?

I think that getting youth outdoors is so important, but I think it needs to be done in the right way that makes them all feel like they belong there. Getting youth out into nature gives them somewhere to start if later in life they decide that the outdoors is a place they want to be. It also instills an appreciation for nature and the natural world, one that we need more people to have if we are ever going to save this planet.​

What role does nature play in your life?

Nowadays, Nature plays a huge role in my life. I loved nature as a kid, but that love slowly faded. After becoming an adult and feeling more confident in myself I rediscovered my love of the outdoors and have never felt so good about myself and the ways in which I can help others discover that same love.​

Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor in your life personally or professionally? What have you learned from this person?

I went to summer camp only once in my life. I was ten years old and I attended a week long karate camp. I loved karate and I loved the woods, so I thought it would be great. But even at the age of ten, I knew I was different. I was put in a bunk with a bunch of people I had nothing in common with, the bathrooms had no stall doors which made me feel very self conscious and scared, and the only person I spoke to my entire time there was the woman who did face and hand painting. I spent the whole week with her and she covered me in fake tattoos, because I didn’t want to talk to the others or get involved in activities that kept separating us into groups of boys and girls. I would say that woman is my professional inspiration. She let me latch onto her and made my camp experience what it needed to be when all the other games and activities failed me. I want people to be able to be comfortable in outdoor spaces, no matter what they are doing there.