Developed over a period of more than 20 years by the National Indian Youth Leadership Project, Project Venture (PV) was designed to reconnect Native youth with nature through sequenced initiatives and outdoor activities involving experiential learning. Whether building with adobe, mountain biking, hiking or learning basic outdoor survival skills, PV actively engages youth in a proven and effective method of developing life skills while reinforcing traditional Native values such as family, service learning and appreciation for the natural world.

Since 1990, Project Venture has served thousands of youth in 21 states where Project Venture is being replicated. Project Venture has been recognized by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices as the first Native American Model program for drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse prevention. Although Project Venture does not specifically address substance abuse with high-risk student populations, PV utilizes an indirect approach by promoting alternative activities.

Project Venture is designed to provide 150-200 hours of programming over the course of a year. Camps, extended backpack trips, service-learning project and Elders gatherings build self efficacy, resiliency and decision making skills among Native youth.