Event Details

Expo: Feb. 21, 2026
Kickoff Event Feb. 20

WSU Student Union

Event Details

Directions / Parking
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
Media Resources
Event Timeline

About

The Adventure Summit is a joint production of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University.

Mission

The Adventure Summit is an event celebrating the spirit of outdoor adventure by showcasing the vibrant lifestyle and culture of human powered endeavors through inspiration, education, and experience.

Vision

The Adventure Summit is the area’s premier outdoor adventure exposition that will focus attention on Dayton as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. The event is free and open to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and interest levels.

The Adventure Summit will serve the adventure market from skill clinics and hands-on trainings from some of the world’s leading experts to showcasing local places to play and locals who have played around the world.  The Adventure Summit is committed to providing something for everyone from the armchair adventurer to the hard core enthusiast.

Thanks

On behalf of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University we would like to thank all who support The Adventure Summit. Our volunteers, media partners and event sponsors are crucial to the continued success of The Adventure Summit. We hope to see you on a return visit to Dayton, Ohio; The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest!

Location / Directions

Wright State University, home to The Adventure Summit, is located in Dayton, Ohio, approximately 70 miles west of the state capital, Columbus. The event is conveniently located off of I-675 at the N. Fairfield Road exit.

https://www.wright.edu/
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH 45435-0001

By Bike

Wright State University campus is located on a spur trail of the Wright Brothers-Huffman Prairie Bikeway, providing access to those who would like to bike, blade or walk to the event. We have the nation’s largest paved trail network providing guests a chance to explore our region by bike.  Check out the regional paved trail network website and Get Out & Bike

By Bus

Those looking for an environmentally friendly way to head to The Adventure Summit, contact the Greater Dayton RTA.

The Wright State University Campus is accessible by utilizing the E. Third St. – Wright State – W. Third St. – Westown Hub – Drexel #1 Red Line. View a map of bus system for your best route.

By Air

Dayton International Airport (DAY)
3600 Terminal Drive, Suite 300
Vandalia, Ohio 45377
Phone: 937-454-8200
Toll Free: 1-877-FLY-DAY-1
Website: https://flydayton.com/

Parking

Parking is free to all visitors of The Adventure Summit in front of the Wright State University Student Union. Multiple lots within a short walk are available throughout the weekend.

Contact Us

The Adventure Summit is a production of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University.  For more information contact

General:
Five Rivers MetroParks Outdoor Recreation
(937) 275-7275 or events@metroparks.org

WSU Outdoor Resource Center
(937) 775-5019

Exhibitors
Chris Buck
Five Rivers MetroParks Special Events Coordinator
(937) 275-7275
christopher.buck@metroparks.org

Sponsors
Andrea Newport
Five Rivers MetroParks Sponsorship Manager
(937) 274-4520
andrea.newport@metroparks.org

Presenters and Competitors
Erin Compaleo
Wright State University Outdoor Recreation Program Manager
937-775-5821
erin.compaleo@wright.edu

Media Resources

The Adventure Summit Logo

Promote your alliance and advertise your participation at The Adventure Summit by downloading the event logo for promotional use.

Please link to the Adventure Summit website: www.theadventuresummit.com

For Print applications (High Resolution)

For Online applications (Low Resolution)

Promotional Poster  (check  back  for  2026)

Promotional Postcard (check  back  for  2026)

2024 Program Guide (check  back  for  2026)

Photos

You can view photos from past Adventure Summits on Flickr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost for the event?

Saturday is FREE (thank you sponsors)!

Exceptions: Bouldering Competition and Indoor Triathlon (small fee benefits the Wright State University Scholarship Fund), a Friday night film event may also have a charge to benefit the Wright State University Scholarship Fund and Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation. In addition, a Kickoff Event on Friday February 20 is $10 and includes snacks and the feature movie The Way, My Way. A cash bar is also available. Purchase kickoff event tickets here.

How can I help promote The Adventure Summit?
  1. Like our Facebook page
  2. Bring multiple friends and family members.
  3. Join our promotional street team. For more information email events@metroparks.org or call (937) 275-7275
  4. Print our event poster and give it to your friends and neighbors.
  5. Send out an e-mail blast telling your friends to meet you at The Adventure Summit.
What hotels are near the event?

There are several hotel options surrounding Wright State University for you to choose from while you are in town for The Adventure Summit.

Is there food at/near the event?

The Union Market Cafeteria at Wright State University is just steps away from the upper level of The Adventure Summit Expo in the Student Union.  The Lounge and a huge, 550-seat Dining Room highlight the experience you will enjoy in Union Market.  In addition to the Union Market, Pour Café is located in the Student Union adjacent to the Union Market.

Saturday

Pour Cafe: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Union Market 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Special Adventure Summit Pricing: $8.50 Adult, $5.50 Kids, all you care to eat

Do I have to stay for the whole day?

No, drop in when it is convenient. Warning: The more time you spend at the Adventure Summit, the more you will be inspired to Get Out & Live!

Do I need to register?

No, the majority of the event is first come, first serve.

Exceptions: Pre-registration will be available for our competitions; Indoor Triathlon, Bouldering Comp, and Canoe Battleship in addition to beer tastings. Please visit our competitions page or call 937-775-5019 for more info.

What are studio programs?

Programs in studios are fitness classes, and may cause you to sweat. They are designed to help build strength and endurance. For example; Yoga for Climbing, Cycle Fit, and more.

What should I wear to studio programs?

You are welcome to come in your street clothes, as long as you have appropriate athletic footwear. Wright State University locker rooms are located across the hall from the studios and Adventure Summit participants are encouraged to bring a change of clothes for these programs. If you are planning to attend one of these sessions, you may want to plan ahead and bring a workout outfit.

Where are the Climbing Programs?

The Wright State Climbing Wall will host all of the climbing programs: Bouldering Comp, Clinics and Open Climbing. It is located on the lower level of the Student Union. If you are planning to participate in a climbing workshop, make sure to dress in loose, comfortable clothing. Rental shoes are available for $1.

How do I learn more about building my outdoor recreation skills or finding a place to play?

The outdoor recreation team of Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University’s Outdoor Resource Center are great resources for facilities and skills training in addition to the local resources listed at www.outdoordayton.com.

Are there other great outdoor recreation events in Dayton?

History of World-Class Presenters

The Adventure Summit has built a strong foundation and continues to evolve. In response to the popularity of the speaker series, a special Adventure Summit Speakers Series rotates biennially with the traditional Adventure Summit weekend format.

2011 marked the debut of The Adventure Speaker Series featuring adventure presentations throughout the winter.

The Adventure Summit weekend format rotates every other year with even more excitement which includes an expo, competitions, pool, climbing, and fitness programming, and of course dozens of local adventurers and featured personality’s inspiring new audiences.

History of World-Class Adventure Summit/Speaker Series Presenters

  • 2006 – Andy Politz, expedition member of the team that found the body of George Mallory on Mt. Everest
  • 2007 – Eric Jackson, owner of Jackson Kayaks and world champion kayaker
  • 2007 – Craig Luebben, author and renowned climber
  • 2008 –  Jonny Mosely, U.S. Olympic gold medal skier and entertainer
  • 2009 – Ann Bancroft, Polar explorer and first woman to cross the ice of the North and South Poles
  • 2010 – Charlie Engle, Ultra Endurance Athlete and Humanist.  Led an expedition running 4500 miles in 111 days across the Sahara Desert
  • 2010 – Andrew Skurka, Long Distance Hiker and Backpacker
  • 2010 – Jon Dorn, Editor in Chief of Backpacker Magazine
  • 2011 –  Speaker Series: Alison Gannett, Champion free-skier and mountain biker, climate specialist and farmer
  • 2012 – Gary Fisher, Founding father of mountain biking
  • 2012 – Gregg Treinish and Deia Schlosberg, Andes Trekkers and 2008 National Geographic Adventurers of the year
  • 2013 – Speaker Series: Majka Burhardt, Climber and Author
  • 2014 – Dave Cornthwaite, Expedition 1000, 25 journeys over 1,000 miles
  • 2014 – Jon Turk, Expedition Kayaker
  • 2016 – Amy Purdy, Paralympic medalist snow boarder, founder of Adaptive Action Sports, and Dancing with the Stars finalist
  • 2016 – Luke “Strider” Jordan, Long distance backpacker and North Country Trail thru-hiker
  • 2017 – Speaker Series: Jordan Hart, Biking the Underground Railroad, Todd Soprych, Bikepacking the Great Divide, Chuck and Beth Hewett, Backpacking the Buckeye Trail, Chad Ingle and Jeremy Cox, Paddling the Great Miami
  • 2018 – Jordan Romero, the youngest to summit all seven summit and hold the record for being the youngest to summit Mount Everest
  • 2018 – Susan Conrad, solo kayaked the Inside Passage
  • 2018 – Dale “Grey Beard” Sanders, oldest to have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in one calendar year at age 82.
  • 2019 – Speaker Series: Pete and Ainsley Savard – SUP the Susquehanna River, Earl McDaniel – Bike Across America, Michelle and Brian Coleman – Hiking the Camino de Santiago, and Gudrun and Peter Seifert – Backpacking Along the Giants of the Alps
  • 2020 – Heather “Anish” Anderson, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, second female to complete the “Double Triple Crown of Backpacking”, first female to complete the “Triple Triple Crown” and record holder of the Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail.
  • 2020 – Ryan Richardson, winner of the prestigious John Lauchlan Memorial Award, nomad climber and alpinist known for opening and developing new routes in wild places.
  • 2020 – Maureen Beck, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Gold Medal Winner at the 2014 & 2016 Paraclimbing World Championships, and star of the 2017 film “Stumped”.
  • 2021 – Virtual Speaker Series: Pedaling Good Vibes Around America, by Tom Helbig, Turning Remote Work into Remote Adventures: Wander While You Work, Broken Pieces: Injury and Survival on the Oregon Desert Trail, by Stacy Boone, Finding Your River, by Ellen “Magellan” Falterman, Tykes on Hikes: Adventuring with Kids of All Ages, by Nailah Blades Wylie, The Adventure Color Gap: Diversity in the Great Outdoors, Setting a New World Record in Grand Canyon National Park, by Dale Sanders
  • 2022 – Grandma Joy and Brad Ryan, Ohio natives, bring their inspiring story of a Grandson and Grandmother’s journey to bond through a quest to visit every National Park.
  • 2022 – Andy “River Weasel” Gallatin shares his story of a 3000 mile paddle from Columbus, Ohio to Key West as part of his healing journey.
  • 2023 – Speaker Series -El Camino de Santiago: Two Styles of Travel by Diana Glawe and Emily Foubert, Two Months on the North Sea Cycle Route by Tracy Burge, Sixteen Day Expedition Rowing the Grand Canyon by Amy Dingle and Cassie Lane, and Biking Dayton to Niagara Falls by Jeffrey McElfresh.
  • 2024 – Eddie Taylor, groundbreaking Everest Climber as part of the first all-black expedition to the top of the world.
  • 2024 – Neal Moore, first known person to complete a continuous solo paddle from Pacific to Atlantic in a canoe.
  • 2024 – Dr. Brad Ryan with special appearance by Grandma Joy, Intergenerational Adventurer and Mental Health Advocate shares the story of how the open road helped heal their family as they journeyed to all 63 National Parks as they became global viral sensations.
  • 2026 – Michelle and Brian Coleman share their journey to adventure from local hikes to Camino Treks.
  • 2026 – The Bicycle Nomad, Erick Cedeño, retraces the 1897 Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps expedition to honor their legacy and give them the dignity they deserve.
  • 2026 – Trapper Haskins, author, musician, adventurer, shares his story of perseverance rowing the entire Mississippi River in his handmade boat and his book that captures it all, Crooked Old River: Rowing Toward Redemption on the Mississippi.

Program Guide Archive

20 Years of Inspiration

  • 2006 – First year of the event. Featured Andy Politz. Event took place on a week night.
  • 2007 – Expanded to multi-day, weekend event. Added expo, more than 50 educational sessions and “party with the pros” event.
  • 2008 – Record crowds of more than 5,000 visitors. Competitions added to the schedule including a bouldering comp, snowboard rail jam and kayak championship.  Beer tastings and live acoustic music in the expo also highlighted the weekend.
  • 2009 – Created “The Making of an Outdoor Woman” theme for the weekend, highlighted by the visit of legendary polar explorer, Ann Bancroft. Ann gave a memorable keynote program and participated in a roundtable discussion that inspired both men and women of all ages at the Summit.
  • 2010 – Added an opening night with a free screening of the documentary “Running the Sahara” starring our keynote speaker Charlie Engle.  Charlie Engle is an ultra endurance runner and humanitarian.  His talents were on full display with an inspiring keynote program and spirited Discover America question and answer session.  Other featured personalities included Jon Dorn, Backpacker Magazine and Andrew Skurka, professional backpacker and adventurer.  The family camping experience was added to incorporate adventurers of all ages.
  • 2011 – Launch of the Adventure Speaker Series
  • 2012 – Canoe Battleship, mountain biking program track, indoor duathlon
  • 2014 – Kayak Polo, college student program tracks and pool party, Reel Paddling Film Festival, Indoor Triathlon
  • 2015 – Highlight of local adventurers
  • 2016 – The Adventure Summit celebrates 10 years!
  • 2018 – Three featured presenters adventuring from the youngest to the oldest and everywhere in between.
  • 2020 – Ohioan Grandma Joy presents at The Adventure Summit with her Grandson Brad after becoming an international human interest story “celebrity” for her goal to travel to every national park after the age of 80.
  • 2021 – The Adventure Speaker Series went virtual in response to Covid-19 and continued to bring inspiration from around the country to audiences around the world.
  • 2022 – The Adventure Summit returned with public health protocols in place to inspire and connect people to resources to play outside during a time where the outdoors has been so important to serve as a healing place for emotional, social, and physical health.
  • 2023 – The Adventure Speaker Series inspired hundreds over the course of a series of four talks throughout the winter in what felt like a return to normalcy.
  • 2024 – The Adventure Summit returned February 9 & 10 with record breaker and Ohioan Grandma Joy and Brad, Eddie Taylor, and Neal Moore.
  • 2026 – The Adventure Summit celebrates 20 years on February 21, 2026 with Michelle and Brian Coleman, The Bicycle Nomad, Erick Cedeño, and Trapper Haskins.

About Five Rivers MetroParks

Five Rivers MetroParks focuses on three areas – conservation, recreation and education – as part of its role as steward of Greater Dayton’s public lands. Established in 1963 through the efforts of forward-thinking citizens concerned about preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks has grown to a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, sensitive river corridors, urban parks, and a network of recreation trails.  Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. And, diverse natural habitats are being protected and cared for today to assure their existence in the future.  The Outdoor Recreation Team is committed to creating access through innovative outdoor recreation programming, events and facilities such as MoMBA, the Twin Valley Backpacking Trail, RiverScape River Run Whitewater Features, and new camping opportunities.

To learn more about; Five Rivers MetroParks, visit metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275). To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks’ outdoor recreation initiative, visit our Outdoor Recreation page.

About Wright State University

Wright State University is the proud partner of The Adventure Summit and is located at 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway.  Named after the world-famous Wright brothers, Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, continues their spirit of innovation. The university serves nearly 17,000 students, offering more than 100 undergraduates and 50 Ph.D., graduate, and professional degrees in addition to a full service outdoor resource center offering outdoor recreation opportunities, team building, and equipment rental.

To learn more about Wright State University, visit www.wright.edu

To learn more about the WSU Outdoor Resource Center, visit www.wright.edu/crec and navigate to the outdoor rec program information.

Contact: Erin Compaleo
Assistant Director Outdoor Recreation
erin.compaleo@wright.edu
(937) 775-5821