Category Archives: Outdoor Program

Outdoor Program Trips

Hello All,

Linda here with a reminder to check out upcoming trips the Outdoor Program has scheduled. Nice weather is just around the corner. Caving, canoeing and climbing are only a few of the adventures the Outdoor Program has planned. Looking for something a little less adventurous? Go out and smell the flowers with a Day Hike at Secor Metropark.

Registration deadlines are approaching fast. Head to the Trips page for details on these and any other outings. See you outside!

March&April

Get Up and Get Out with the Outdoor Program

Hello All,

My name is Linda and this is my first blog for the Department of Recreation and Wellness. The Outdoor Program has a lot of awesome trips planned out for Spring 2017. First off this semester, a Survival Skills Workshop. The Outdoor Program staff are not going to show you how to fight off a bear, but you can learn some useful tips and tricks for functioning effectively on outdoor hiking or camping trips.

The workshop takes place Thursday, January 26 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Student Recreation Center Climbing Wall and is only $5. Deadline to register is Friday,  January 20. Check out the Trips page for more information on this and other scheduled outings.

winter backpacking

 

RecWell Rewind – Climbing Wall Debuts in Spring 2002

ClimbingWall-2002-01-WEB

 

On Wednesday, January 23, 2002, the Student Recreation Center hosted the grand opening the $80,000, 35-foot climbing wall.

Assembled in the game room, the 1600 square foot wall was built to resemble a small mountain, reaching 34 feet at its highest point and 27 feet at its lowest peak. The wall catered to all levels of climbing expertise, and was available to both students and staff. Initially, the climbing wall was open 7 days a week from 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM, which allowed it to fulfill campus needs for late evening and night activities. According to Larry Spencer, associate director of the SRC, the new wall would provide the SRC with new programming opportunities, and he stated, “We put it up primarily to give us another programming option.”

ClimbingWall-2002-02-WEBThe University spirit was in full stride at the event as BGSU mascots, Freddie and Frieda Falcon and members of Sic-Sic, BGSU’s spirit crew, showed up to celebrate. All who were present at this event were able to watch Freddie Falcon and two members of the Sic-Sic crew take a turn at climbing the wall.

The SRC offered both a two-hour belay and climbing certification courses at a cost of $15 prior to the wall’s opening. With these certifications, climbers were permitted to use the wall during hours of operation. Bryan Cavins, assistant director of Outdoor Program noted, “The certification process would involve a one to two hour class on rock climbing followed by a test, and the card would have to be renewed each semester.” At the start of the spring semester, 135 students had already signed up to take either the climbing or belay certification courses, and 83 students had already gone through one of the courses prior to the wall’s grand opening.

RecWell Rewind – Kayaking at the SRC

The Outdoor Program began offering a flat water kayaking workshop during the Spring 2000 semester.

The workshop provided students with a chance to experience kayaking and learn basic skills in a controlled environment. In reference to the workshop, course instructor Bob Hull stated, “kayaking is a great, fun sport if the correct safety steps are learned.”

In 2005, five sessions were offered, and by early 2006, the SRC offered workshops twice a year.

Learn more about Recreation and Wellness history.

Outdoor Program: Upcoming Trips

Looking for ways to escape the city scene and become one with nature? Check out the Outdoor Program’s trip list for the spring!
Camping | Hocking Hills, OH | March 18-20

  • Cost: BGSU Student $75.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $85.00 | Community Member $115.00

Day Hike | Toledo, OH | March 23

  • Cost: BGSU Student $15.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $20.00 | Community Member $30.00

Lonestar Caving | Lonestar, KY | April 1-3

  • Cost: BGSU Student $75.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $85.00 | Community Member $115.00

Upper Peninsula Astrophotography/Camping | Petosky, MI | April 8-10

  • Cost: BGSU Student $100.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $110.00 | Community Member $120.00

Day Hike | Toledo, OH | April 13

  • Cost: BGSU Student $15.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $20.00 | Community Member $30.00

Moonlit Canoeing | Maumee river, OH | April 20

  • Cost: BGSU Student $15.00 | Faculty/Staff/Alumni $20.00 | Community Member $30.00