Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trek GVL?
Trek GVL is a premium outdoor and social club for active adults in the Upstate. We curate hosted experiences that combine adventure, local culture, and meaningful in-person connection in a more intentional, elevated format than traditional social groups.
Is Trek GVL just a hiking club?
No. While outdoor experiences are a core part of the brand, Trek GVL is not limited to hiking. Depending on the calendar, offerings may include scenic trail socials, live music gatherings, market walks, brunch events, wellness experiences, vineyard outings, farm-based experiences, creative workshops, and premium hosted escapes.
How is Trek GVL different from a typical Meetup or social group?
Trek GVL is designed as a more curated, better-hosted, and more selective experience platform. We are not built around open-ended group chat culture, casual mass RSVPs, or loosely organized plans. Our focus is on quality, consistency, member fit, and memorable offline experiences.
What are The Ascent Series and The Basecamp Series?
Trek GVL programming is organized into two primary experience lanes.
The Ascent Series is generally designed around higher-energy, faster-social-momentum experiences.
The Basecamp Series is generally designed around a more premium-paced, conversation-forward, and hosted experience style.
These lanes reflect pacing and event design, not rigid guarantees or permanent member classification.
Do I have to fit a certain age range to participate?
No. Trek GVL events are designed for adults ages 21 to 65 only. Children, minors, infants, teens, and anyone under the age of 21 are not permitted to attend Trek GVL events, even if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or member.
Trek GVL may use age guidance as a general programming reference for certain experiences, but event fit is ultimately based on pace, energy, experience style, safety considerations, and operational discretion. Trek GVL reserves the right to guide participants toward the events most appropriate for the intended experience and may deny participation when an event is not a suitable fit.
What is the Trek GVL Community?
The Trek GVL Community is the brand’s lighter entry point. It may include public updates, select gateway events, and introductory access intended to help prospective participants experience the brand before purchasing paid access.
What is the Social Pass?
The Social Pass is a paid, lighter-access offering for individuals who want more than the free community experience but are not ready for full Premium Membership. It is designed to provide limited access to a smaller curated calendar, select events, and certain partner-related benefits, subject to availability and applicable terms.
How much is the Social Pass?
The Social Pass is $249 per year.
What is Premium Membership?
Premium Membership is Trek GVL’s core paid membership offering. It is designed for those seeking fuller access to the brand’s curated social energy, member-only experiences, premium event opportunities, and more intentional hosted programming.
What are Premium Membership rates?
Single Membership
12 Months: $449
6 Months: $259
Couple Membership
12 Months: $699
6 Months: $399
Do you offer month-to-month memberships?
No. Trek GVL Premium Membership is offered on a committed 6-month or 12-month term only. This structure helps preserve a more stable, intentional member base and supports advance planning, hosting, and operations.
Do you offer any service-based pricing?
Yes. Trek GVL currently offers 15% off annual Premium Memberships for eligible military members, first responders, and firefighters with valid documentation. Unless expressly stated otherwise, discounts may not be combined, are non-transferable, and may be modified or discontinued at Trek GVL’s discretion.
Are Social Pass and Premium Membership purchases refundable?
No. All Social Pass and Premium Membership purchases are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable except where required by applicable law. Trek GVL does not provide refunds, partial refunds, prorated refunds, or credits for unused time, missed events, scheduling conflicts, relocation, change of mind, or personal circumstances.
Why does Trek GVL maintain a strict no-refund policy?
Trek GVL operates on a limited-capacity, advance-planning model. Paid access supports event development, hosting, logistics, coordination, operations, and member infrastructure. Because access is reserved in advance and the business is structured around a committed roster, all paid purchases are final.
Does a Social Pass or Premium Membership guarantee access to every event?
No. Purchase of a Social Pass or Premium Membership does not guarantee attendance at every event, outing, or experience. Certain offerings may be subject to capacity limits, timing restrictions, separate fees, prerequisites, third-party requirements, or operational discretion.
Are all events included in the membership price?
Not necessarily. Some events may be included within the general access structure, while others may require separate event fees, premium upgrades, transportation costs, third-party payments, deposits, or other charges depending on the experience format.
Do you provide equipment or gear?
Not during Trek GVL’s initial operating phase unless expressly stated otherwise for a specific experience. Where specialized gear is required, participants are responsible for supplying their own approved equipment or obtaining equipment through an approved third-party provider where applicable.
Do I need to be highly athletic to join?
No. Trek GVL offers a range of experiences with varying levels of intensity. However, participants are solely responsible for selecting experiences appropriate for their own fitness level, health status, readiness, and judgment. Some events may involve terrain, elevation, water, longer activity windows, or other physically demanding conditions.
Do events require waivers or additional forms?
Yes, in some cases. Trek GVL may require waivers, acknowledgments of risk, media releases, medical disclosures, or third-party provider documents as a condition of participation. Failure to complete required documentation may result in denial of access to a particular event or experience.
What are gateway events?
Gateway events are lower-friction introductory experiences intended to help prospective participants get a feel for Trek GVL’s people, pacing, and event style. These events are generally designed to be approachable, social, and easier for newcomers to enter.
What are partner perks?
Partner perks may include preferred access, preferred pricing, curated offers, or selected benefits provided through Trek GVL’s local partners. Such offers are subject to change, availability, provider participation, and any applicable third-party terms. Trek GVL does not guarantee the availability or continuation of any specific partner benefit.
Is Trek GVL a good fit for people new to Greenville or the Upstate?
Yes. Trek GVL is particularly well-suited to adults seeking a higher-quality way to build local connection, discover the region, and meet active, social people through real experiences rather than purely digital interaction.
Can couples join together?
Yes. Trek GVL offers a Couple Membership for partners who want to participate together, subject to all applicable membership, event, and participation terms.
Is Trek GVL open to anyone who wants to join?
Trek GVL is designed for adults who align with the standards, tone, and culture of the brand. Trek GVL reserves the right to limit, refuse, suspend, or terminate participation, access, or membership where necessary to protect safety, group quality, operations, or overall member experience.
Can Trek GVL remove someone from participation or membership?
Yes. Trek GVL reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse, limit, suspend, or terminate access, event participation, pass privileges, or membership if conduct is unsafe, disruptive, abusive, dishonest, harassing, inappropriate, or otherwise inconsistent with the standards of the club.
Can events be changed or canceled?
Yes. Trek GVL may modify, postpone, reroute, reschedule, substitute, relocate, or cancel any event at its discretion due to weather, safety conditions, staffing needs, operational issues, low attendance, venue restrictions, third-party partner limitations, or other circumstances beyond Trek GVL’s reasonable control.
Because outdoor and partner-based experiences require flexibility, changes to an event do not entitle members or pass holders to a refund of membership fees, pass fees, or other non-refundable payments. When possible, Trek GVL may offer a revised event plan, alternate date, substitute experience, or other reasonable adjustment, but such accommodations are not guaranteed.
Does Trek GVL guarantee any specific social or personal outcome?
No. Trek GVL does not guarantee any particular social, emotional, professional, romantic, networking, lifestyle, or fitness outcome from participation. Individual experience depends on many factors, including attendance, preparation, compatibility, attitude, timing, and circumstances beyond Trek GVL’s control.
Is space limited?
Yes. Trek GVL is intentionally built around a limited-capacity model in order to protect quality, culture, and operational standards.
How do I know which access level is right for me?
If you want a lighter point of entry, the Community or Social Pass may be the appropriate place to begin. If you want deeper access to the strongest version of the Trek GVL experience, including member-only and more curated opportunities, Premium Membership is the intended offering.
How do I get started?
You may begin by joining the Trek GVL Community, purchasing a Social Pass, or applying for Premium Membership, depending on the level of access and experience you are seeking.
