Venture Out: Exploring possibilities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan McElderry
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  To help bring people together, an Airman couple founded an adventure group known as Venture Out of Minot, an Airmen-led outdoor recreational group.
The group founders, Airmen 1st Class Hannah Staffen and Allie Staffen, hosts biweekly trips, including kayaking, camping, and hiking, and bike nights every Wednesday for anyone interested.
“We want to show people there’s always an adventure out there waiting to happen,” said Allie, who works in the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron facility maintenance section. “Our goal is to continue getting more people on these trips so they can see what North Dakota has to offer. No matter where you are if you don’t get out and do anything then you’re not going to like it.”
Always searching for and going on various outdoor trips is what also led to the founders’ creation of Venture Out.
“When we got to Minot and heard there wasn’t much to do, we spent a lot of time researching state parks in North Dakota,” said Hannah, who is a member of the 5th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment section. “We then came up with a plan to make an adventure club, but it just grew from there.”
In only a few months, Venture Out has already hosted more than 40 Airmen at their events.
Despite initially starting Venture Out as a way to help others, Allie and Hannah added how Venture Out has also greatly influenced them as well.
“It’s a great feeling because we get to plan something we’d be doing anyway, while seeing other people have the same excitement as us on these trips,” Allie said.
Hannah noted her favorite aspect of Venture Out is the connections shared between its members.
“The best part about Venture Out is the community,” Hannah said. “We’ve definitely made a lot of friendships within the group.”
Thanks to the camaraderie built from these trips, new members to the group are always welcome.
“We’ve reached out to so many people, from Airmen in the dorms to those in base housing and downtown, as well as their families,” Allie said. “We’re open for anyone, no matter what age or rank. If you want to have fun outdoors and enjoy North Dakota, you may absolutely join us.”
In the upcoming months, Venture Out will begin hosting winter trips, to include snow shoeing, skiing and ice fishing.
For more information, visit ventureoutofminot.org or check out their Facebook page.