Physical Address: 1397 Chestnut Ridge Road, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525

• From Morgantown, WV
• Take I-68 East to Exit 15 (Coopers Rock Road). At the top of the exit ramp, make a left at the stop sign. 
• Veer right at the next stop sign (WV County Route 73)
• After 3-way stop - take next left (Chestnut Ridge Road)
• Will see blue signs for WVU Research Forest
• After turning onto Chestnut Ridge Road, travel approximately 1.4 miles
• Turn left and pass through the covered bridge on your left. 
• Will see blue signs for WVU Research Forest and the WVU Outdoor Education Center/Adventure WV
•  Park anywhere in the large circular parking lot

• From Cumberland, MD
  • Take I-68 East to Exit 15 (Coopers Rock Road). At the top of the exit ramp, make a right at the stop sign. 
  • Veer right at the next stop sign (WV County Route 73)
  • After 3-way stop - take next left (Chestnut Ridge Road)
  • Will see blue signs for WVU Research Forest
  • After turning onto Chestnut Ridge Road, travel approximately 1.4 miles
  • Turn left and pass through the covered bridge on your left. 
  • Will see blue signs for WVU Research Forest and the WVU Outdoor Education Center/Adventure WV
  •  Park anywhere in the large circular parking lot

• The Canopy Tour and Challenge Course facilities are part of the Outdoor Education Center, which is located in the University Research Forest. 
• Please park near the gravel trail to the right of the WestVaco Conference Building. No parking pass or validation is needed.
• An Adventure WV staff member will meet you in the parking lot. Please remain in the parking lot area until our staff arrives to greet you.

• As needed, time will be provided to review/complete paperwork and use the bathroom before your adventure begins.
• Once paperwork has been completed and reviewed, an Adventure WV staff person will guide participants to the WVU Outdoor Education Center. This is a short hike from the parking area.
• Trained guides and facilitators will conduct an orientation prior to any adventure. This is the perfect time to ask questions and ensure you fully understand the activity. All gear is provided, and no prior experience is necessary.
• Late arrival: If you arrive late for your adventure, follow the trail from the parking lot up to the Outdoor Education Center and locate the Program Manager. You may also contact the Outdoor Education Center's phone: 304.680.ZIPP (9477)

• From Morgantown, WV, take I-68 East to Exit 15 (Coopers Rock Road). At the top of the exit ramp, make a right and follow the road into Coopers Rock State Forest.
  • For Sunset & Upper Rock City Climbing Sites & Hiking:
    Continue down for approximately 4 miles to a large parking area known as the “climber’s lot.” This parking lot is the large overflow parking  p rior to the concession stand in the forest. 
    

• From Cumberland, MD, take I-68 West to Exit 15 (Coopers Rock Road). At the top of the exit ramp, make a left, go over the I-68 bridge, and follow the road into Coopers Rock State Forest.
  • For Sunset & Upper Rock City Climbing Sites and Hiking:
    Continue down for approximately 4 miles to a large parking area known as the “climber’s lot.” This parking lot is the large overflow parking prior to the concession stand in the forest. 
    

• For Sunset and Upper Rock City Climbing Sites and Hiking: All participants may park in either the regular parking lot or the large overflow parking area. No parking pass or validation is needed.
• An Adventure WV staff member may be present to greet you. 

• Time will be provided to review/complete paperwork and use the bathroom before programming begins.
• Once paperwork has been completed and reviewed, an Adventure WV staff person will guide participants to the designated climbing site.
• Once the short hike concludes, trained guides and facilitators will conduct an orientation before your adventure. This is the perfect time to ask questions and ensure you fully understand the activity. All gear is provided, and no prior experience is necessary.

• Time will be provided to review/complete paperwork and use the bathroom before programming begins.
• Once paperwork has been completed and reviewed, an Adventure WV staff person will conduct a pre-hike orientation for the entire group. This is the perfect time to ask questions and ensure you fully understand the activity.
• Various portions of Cooper’s Rock will be explored during these guided hikes. The difficulty of the terrain may vary due to weather or the natural landscape.
• All gear is provided, and no prior experience is necessary.

• The OEC and associated facilities (Natural Resource Center, etc.) are West Virginia University facilities. 
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking are strictly prohibited. 
• The OEC is open to education, outdoor recreation, and research- based functions only. 
• All programs must be scheduled through a reservation and fall within permitted programmatic guidelines. The OEC may be opened as early as 7:30 a.m. 
• Technology capabilities are limited to guest Wi-Fi use and are otherwise not provided.

• Participants must be comfortable with participating in activities at heights from 10’ to 60’.
• Participants must be in moderate to good health; active participation is required. Participants must be able to pull themselves along the cable and slow down using a glove to create friction on it. Participants should be able to walk at least one mile.
• Participants must be able to understand and follow the guide’s instructions.
• Closed-toe shoes are required while participating in the program.
• Participants must meet the following weight requirements: minimum weight: 70lbs; maximum weight: 250lbs.
• An Acknowledgement of Risk and Assumption of Responsibility form must be signed prior to participation.
• It is recommended that you consult your physician before engaging in this activity to ensure that you do not have a physical condition that may increase your risk of injury or death during this activity. Participants should notify a staff member if he or she has any of the following conditions, as participation is not advised and may be denied:
• Pregnancy;
• Recent, reoccurring or existing injuries and serious musculoskeletal disorders that would prohibit full participation;
• Medical conditions that could require immediate medical attention such as a seizure disorder.
• Groups must arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time.
• Groups will proceed at the scheduled times; those present will proceed; late arrivals will forfeit their spot and will not receive a refund.
• Participants who are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or legal drugs that impair the participant in any way will be prohibited from participation.
• Adventure West Virginia staff members reserve the right to deny participation to any participant if his or her physical or mental condition could endanger themselves or others.
• It is the participant’s responsibility to wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Please note that weather patterns tend to be different from those in lower-lying areas such as Morgantown. Expect colder and windier weather. Canopy Tours operate rain or shine; however, the course may be closed due to severe weather (lightning or high wind). If a Canopy Tour is closed due to severe weather, participants will receive a rain check (or refund if they are unable to reschedule).
  

• Participants should be comfortable participating in activities at heights of 10’ to 50’ if participating in our aerial ropes courses.
• Participants must be in moderate to good health.
• Participants must be able to understand and follow the staff’s instructions.
• Closed-toe shoes are required while participating in the program.
• Participants must meet the following weight requirements for Giant Swing and Odyssey TruBlue Rappel events — maximum weight: 300lbs.
• An Acknowledgement of Risk and Assumption of Responsibility form must be signed prior to participation.
• It is recommended that you consult your physician before engaging in this activity to ensure that you do not have a physical condition that may increase your risk of injury or death during this activity. Participants should notify a staff member if he or she has any of the following conditions, as participation is not advised and may be denied:
• Pregnancy;
• Recent, reoccurring or existing injuries and serious musculoskeletal disorders that would inhibit participation or cause further injury;
• Participants should arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled event time.
• Participants who are under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or legal drugs that impair the participant in any way will be prohibited from participation.
• Adventure West Virginia staff members reserve the right to deny participation to any participant if his or her physical or mental condition could endanger themselves or others.
• It is the participant’s responsibility to wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Please note that weather patterns tend to be different from those in lower-lying areas such as Morgantown. Expect colder and windier weather. Programs can operate rain or shine; however, the course may be closed due to severe weather (lightning or high wind). If the course is closed due to severe weather, participants will receive a rain check (or refund if they are unable to reschedule).

• Once a program is scheduled, a program packet will be sent to the program contact (e.g., the person who scheduled the event). This packet will include copies of the WVU OEC Acknowledgement of Risk, Emergency Information and Participant Guidelines (Canopy Tour Only) forms. It is the program contact's responsibility to ensure that each participant completes these forms upon arrival at the OEC. All participants under 18 years of age must have their form signed by a legal guardian. Anyone without these completed forms will be unable to participate in the activities and will be asked to leave for liability reasons.
  
  
• Patrons are responsible for being adequately prepared for their experience at the OEC, while group or program contacts are responsible for informing fellow participants to do the same. Adequate preparation includes wearing closed-toe shoes while on site, having appropriate clothing for a variety of weather conditions, and ensuring that participants bring their own water bottles and snacks, if appropriate. The weather on Chestnut Ridge tends to differ from that of surrounding areas and is often unexpected, with temperatures several degrees cooler than in lower-lying areas such as Morgantown. Group or program contacts are responsible for communicating any special needs that may require accommodation by the OEC Management Team. The OEC and associated facilities do not provide meals for any event.
  
  
• Groups are responsible for arranging all meals associated with their reservation. No food is to be left behind; it should be thrown away at the conclusion of the event. All visiting patrons are responsible for their personal items and belongings while using the OEC and associated facilities. Adventure WV, the School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and the OEC Management Team are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property. Patrons are responsible for the general cleanliness of the facilities used, including but not limited to: trash placed in proper receptacles, room arrangements left in their original form, personal gear removed from facilities once the event is complete, and water turned off in bathroom and kitchen facilities. Patrons must report any maintenance issues immediately by contacting the OEC Management Team or designated reservation contact.

• If you need to make changes to your reservation, please contact the OEC office as soon as possible. Cancellations made less than 5 business days prior to the program date are subject to a cancellation fee. This fee will reflect up to 25% of the program agreement fee and is determined by the OEC Management Team. Normal business days are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cancellations made by the Organization and/or the Program Contact within 48 hours of the established program date are subject to pay the entire portion of the program agreement. This fee is determined by the Program Manager.
  
  
• Cancellations due to weather or other extenuating circumstances (as determined by the Management Team) may reschedule. Note: The OEC is an outdoor classroom that operates in a wide variety of safe weather. Dangerous weather during the scheduled program allows for rescheduling or cancellation without accruing a fee. Dangerous weather includes electrical storms, extreme temperatures, and high winds. This will be determined by the on-site course manager.
  
  
• All programmatic changes (e.g., element choice, program duration, participant numbers, etc.) must be made at least 5 days prior to the established program date and during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Failure to report any programmatic changes may result in a full charge of the program agreement fee. This fee is determined by the OEC Management Team.

• All WVU OEC staff are required to complete training and a background check upon employment, in compliance with WVU Board of Governors Policy 49 - Children on Campus. 
• The purpose of Policy 49 is to protect children on WVU’s premises or involved in University-sponsored programs at all geographic locations by providing guidance on reporting requirements for child abuse or neglect; providing guidelines for appropriate supervision of children; and ensuring that WVU and its divisional campuses comply with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding the employment of children. 
• The OEC has implemented specific local operating procedures, including appropriate adult-to-child ratios, to ensure the safety of children at the OEC as it pertains to Policy 49. 
• Specific to the WVU Canopy Tour, the OEC recognizes that a child may be left with an individual guide staff member while on platform. These circumstances are limited in time and frequency, while participants wait their turn to zip, and occur in clear view of other platforms and the ground. Please refer to your guide or facilitator on the day of your event for OEC participant guidelines regarding Policy 49.

Adventure WV and WVU Outdoor Education Center Programs

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Adventure WV (AWV) and Outdoor Education Center (OEC) programs are challenge and adventure based experiential programs that are designed to serve a variety of populations. Many of the sites and venues for the activities included in Adventure WV’s programs are challenging, remote and exposed to nature’s elements.

The health and safety of our participants and staff are a top priority, along with the educative quality of the program experience. To achieve essential group goals, the individuals on each program must be fully capable of and committed to learning and using outdoor skills, meeting physical and social challenges, and taking care of themselves and each other.

The Essential Eligibility (EEC) are applied to all participants on AWV and OEC programs and events. A qualified person meets the general EEC's for AWV as well as the EEC's for the specific OEC activities and program areas. If an applicant does not meet specific criteria, AWV might be able to accommodate an applicant, but will not do so if it significantly alters the fundamental nature of the program activity, jeopardizes the health and safety of program participants or staff, or places an undue administrative or financial burden on WVU or Adventure WV. Requests for accommodations must be submitted in writing to Adventure WV (to: AdventureWV@mail.wvu.edu or WVUChallengeCourse@mail.wvu.edu) at least one month prior to a program.

It is important to note that all requests are not guaranteed.

For WVU specific events that include faculty, staff or students, Adventure WV the WVU Outdoor Education Center will work with the requestor and WVU’s Office of Student Accommodations (OSA) to determine the feasibility of the request. A final plan for accommodations must be reviewed and approved of by AWV, the requestor and OSA at least one week prior to the program for the WVU specific events. Requestors are also encouraged to consult directly with OSA.

Adventure WV and Outdoor Education Center participants are responsible for consulting the itinerary of their selected program and reviewing the relevant Essential Eligibility Criteria. General Eligibility

Criteria for ALL AWV and OEC program participants and activities:

• Able to understand verbal and visual instructions individually and in a group setting, and follow such instructions whether supervised or not.
• Able to comprehend hazards and safety concerns when explained, and to adhere to safety policies and procedures even when staff and contracted guides are not present.
• Learn and practice Leave No Trace (LNT) outdoor ethics and techniques.
• Able to identify and recognize hazards posed by the environment (e.g., steep or uneven terrain, moving water, sun, wind, cold, etc.) and other participants (e.g., fatigue, state of mind and other influencers of judgment and decision making).
• Able to effectively communicate to others personal distress, injury or need for assistance and communicate to others any hazards and dangers that they perceive.
• Able to stay properly hydrated and nourished, by day or night, and learn skills for self-care, including proper hygiene and use of clothing and equipment.
• Maintain pace with the group.
• Able to refrain from the use of alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances and any misuse of prescription or OTC drugs. If using prescription drugs, able to follow correct dosage and usage and keep them in good condition between resupplies (up to eight days) with or without instructor assistance.
• Able to contribute to a safe social and learning environment and maintain appropriate relationships with other group members and instructors, refrain from sexual activity, harassment, and bullying, and all other behavior that disrupts the learning of others or the cohesion of the group.

Hiking Activities

• Able to walk continuously for 1 mile at a moderate pace over uneven terrain unassisted while carrying a small daypack weighing 10 – 15 lbs.

 Aerial Trekking and Zip-Line Activities

• Able to wear all safety equipment as instructed.
• All participants are subject to manufacturing and installation guidelines set forth by 3rd party vendors, WV State Law and equipment manufacturers.
• See Zip-Line, Challenge Course, Aerial Trekking and Team-building policies above, or contact the WVU Outdoor Education Center for more information (AdventureOEC@mail.wvu.edu)

Rock Climbing Activities

• Able to wear a climbing harness and helmet correctly.
• Able to participate in belaying and climbing activities independently or with minimal assistance.

Water-Based Activities

• Wear all protective equipment recommended/required by the rafting outfitter and/or state law.
• Independently maintain sealed airway passages while underwater
• Be able to swim or be comfortable in the water, including fast-moving water, while wearing a personal flotation device.
• Independently maintain a seated body position with limited back support while paddling a raft in turbulent whitewater. Adaptive equipment may be used; if needed, it cannot impede or diminish the effectiveness of safety procedures or equipment. No participant may be strapped or belted into a raft or adaptive equipment while on water.
• Get in and out of the raft/kayak from shore independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
• If in water, independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face-up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket
• Reenter the raft/kayak on water independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
• In the event of a capsize, independently get out from under the capsized raft/kayak, remain face up in the water with a personal flotation device, and identify, make progress to, and ascend the shoreline with or without instruction.

Please Note:

Adventure WV is a program designed to meet the needs of students enrolled at WVU, not necessarily those of the public at large. If you have any questions on these Essential Eligibility Criteria or on your ability to meet one or more criteria, please contact Adventure WV at 304-293-5221 -   AdventureWV@mail.wvu.edu - or AdventureOECe@mail.wvu.edu