Campus Recreation has been hosting a range of guided adventures that students can go on as experienced or newcomers to the outdoors.
The Campus Recreation and Wellness page on the UCA website describes the trips as “‘guided outdoor expeditions’ to explore natural environments and participate in various outdoor recreation sports.” Three trips have already taken place, and there are three remaining. Only two of the trips have open spots.
The first trip was white water rafting on the Ocoee River in Benton, Tennessee, from Sept. 4-6. The second trip was free kayaking on the Little Maumelle River Trail on Sept. 11. The most recent trip was skydiving in Clarksville, Arkansas, on Sept. 25.
Graduate student Grant Williams went both white water rafting and kayaking with other UCA students. “I enjoyed them both. I think it’s really cool that you can get a diverse group of people together for the environment,” Williams said. Williams said he started picking up trash while on the kayaking trip and others joined in, collecting around three five-gallon buckets worth of trash from the water.
The remaining trips are hiking at Seven Hollows Trail, backpacking in the upper Buffalo and rock climbing in Sand Gap, Arkansas. The free hiking trip was already out of spots, but students can still sign up for backpacking or rock climbing by emailing Rob Stine, the assistant director of Campus Recreation and Well, at [email protected].
Every trip is all-inclusive and designed for both those experienced and beginners in the various activities, Stine said.
During the white water rafting trip, the group did class V rafting, a more intensive experience for rafters, but Williams said he felt safe even though he had never been rafting before the trip.
“I’ve seen so many people put these types of activities off until their last semesters, and they regret it. Most people who try these outdoor adventure sports continue them for the rest of their lives, and they regret not engaging in them and the outdoor culture earlier,” Stine said. The trips are opportunities for students to get involved in outdoor activities with other students and experienced staff who are there to help.
Additional information can be found on the Campus Recreation and Wellness page on the UCA website under “Guided Adventures” in the campus outdoors tab or by contacting Stine.