Venture

Venture is the 201-level program in Leather Connections' 3-tier Leather education system — the deeper, second step after Foundations, with an advanced level beyond it for those ready to go further.

How Venture Works

Venture meets one weekend a month for six months. Each weekend pairs a full day of instruction from world-class educators with a full day of hands-on workshops.

Graduates of previous cohorts, known as Cadre, sit in on classes and support students throughout the program. Each class also decides its own dress code and uniform to represent them.

There's a tuition fee, but costs are kept low since most of us volunteer our time — the main expense is covering travel and housing for outside presenters.

What a Venture Graduate Looks Like

Core Values

  • Values community and actively contributes to it.
  • Committed to continual growth and self-improvement.
  • Endeavors to live by a personal code of conduct that is in harmony with the historical code of conduct.
  • Identifies as Leather, or as a BDSM player with some Leather flair.
  • Is committed to consent and accountability as an individual, and as a community member.

Measurable Skills

  • Has strong play skills in bottoming and/or topping at least two areas of interest.
  • Demonstrates healthy communication and negotiation skills.
  • Is committed to improving and building on interpersonal group communication skills.
  • Has an understanding of some general Leather history.
  • Has completed, and taken appropriate accountability for, the homework assigned throughout Venture.

Applying to Venture

We're anticipating our next cohort, Venture 2027, to begin around January or February 2027.

Applying involves a short written application: your contact information, a personal reference from someone in the kink, Leather, or BDSM community, and a personal introduction covering your experience and what you're hoping to get out of the program. Applicants also agree to review and discuss Venture's consent policy and accountability process on the first day of class.

Submit Application