Interested in some off-pavement adventure? While a gasoline-fueled vacation may not top everyone’s list right now, off-road opportunities within a day’s drive may be an affordable ticket to some family fun. However, there’s a lot to know before venturing off into the wilderness. A great way to learn the basics can be found in programs sponsored by three of the biggest names in off-roading: Hummer, Land Rover and Jeep.

Hummer

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Hummer owners and lessees are eligible to attend the Hummer Driving Academy held at Hummer’s off-road course near the AM General corporate headquarters in South Bend, Ind. Small classes – one instructor for every two students – are held several times a year. About 5,000 people run through the facility every year, primarily Hummer dealership sales and service staff receiving mandatory training, as well as military and law enforcement personnel. The 17 miles of trails on 320 wooded acres are also used for engineering testing.

We sat in on a dealer training class last week to get an idea of the academy’s curriculum and to sample the facility’s trails. Dealer staff get to try out all three Hummer models, while owners only drive the model they own. Vehicles are provided. Like the vehicles’ sizes and abilities, courses get longer and more intense depending on the model; Hummer H3 classes are 1½ days, H2s get 2½ days, while H1 training is 4½ days and five nights.

All start with the basics, some classroom time to get company background, an overview of operating the vehicle and advice on negotiating a specially designed series of concrete and wood obstacles that help build skills to navigate what might be encountered off the highway.

Some dealerships have also copied these obstacles to use as demonstration tools for potential buyers. Depending on the course, other topics covered can include recovery (how to free vehicles that get stuck,) off-road trip planning, field repairs and navigating by map and GPS. The H1 class also includes a night driving exercise and a drive on sand dunes.

“The typical owners we get are new to the sport,” said John Camblin, the test track administrator. “They come here to see what their vehicle can do.”

We headed out onto the off-road trails in an H2 and H3. The northern section is approved for all Hummer models and comprises about half of the grounds. The other half is for H1s and has more aggressive terrain. We encountered deep ruts, mud holes, steep hill climbs, even steeper hill descents, rocks, water crossings and a host of other obstacles. Surprisingly, the instructors weren’t worried about getting stuck.

“It happens every day,” said six-year veteran instructor Pete Martin. “We do quite a bit of winching with the H2 and H3 owners groups; they like getting their hands dirty.”

Sure enough, the H2 ground to a halt, high centered on a hard mound of dirt between the axles. The H3, which had just made it over the same hump thanks to its shorter wheelbase, quickly pulled the H2 out with a strap.

Martin offered advice when a particular obstacle needed special attention, but mostly let the vehicles do what they do best. As challenging as it looked, “it’s point and shoot on this terrain,” admitted Martin. “But in the last session we take the H2 and H3 owners out to the H1 course to show them the most difficult things they can do with the trucks.”

For more information, visit www.hummer.com or call (866) 831-9547.

Land Rover

Ownership of a Land Rover is not required to attend training at any of the four Land Rover Experience Driving Schools held year-round at luxury resorts in California, North Carolina, Vermont and Quebec. Courses range from one-hour sessions that give a taste of off-road driving to full days that explore more advanced techniques. A variety of corporate and team-building events are also offered.

We attended sessions at two different Land Rover schools and the instructors are among the best. Both locations offered an assortment of challenging terrain to test the capabilities of both truck and student. An instructor rides in each vehicle and tailors teaching to each driver’s abilities. Vehicles are provided and current Land Rover owners do receive a 10 percent discount.

For more information, visit www.landroverusa.com or call (800) 239-0533.

Jeep

Jeep owners can take part with their own vehicles in one of more than 30 Jeep Jamborees held every year. Experienced guides run trail rides that vary in difficulty depending on the location. Once registered, Jeep owners receive founder Mark Smith’s guide to off-road driving, then a talk on the basics upon arrival.

Schedules and descriptions of each event can be found on www.jeep.com, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com or by calling (530) 333-4777. Jeep Jamborees are held all over the country; the nearest events this fall are Oct. 3-5 in Crandon, Wis., and Oct. 10-12 in French Lick, Ind.

Jeep’s own Camp Jeep event includes guided trail rides as well as other activities and entertainment. Typically held annually, the next Camp Jeep is scheduled for July 2009, with the location to be announced. Check www.jeep.com for updates.