Group of students outdoors, holding a banner for Outdoor Pursuits

Outdoor Pursuits offers a variety of trips each semester to match any level of experience. Trips range from short day trips to extended week-long expeditions. Trips are open on a first-come, first-served basis and are usually limited to a certain number of participants. The minimum number will vary depending upon the nature and location of the trip.  

Spring Trips and Clinics

Come explore the underwater world and experience the magic of scuba diving in the pool to see if you would like to take the full course. You will be under the close supervision of certified and insured scuba instructors from Scuba Educators International. Participants will spend a short time in the classroom gaining insight into the safety and enjoyment of scuba diving as well as requirements for the full certification course and then enjoy an underwater tour of the pool. 

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Gain a lifetime skill and get access to a whole new underwater world! Take a course to become a certified Open Water SCUBA Diver. Instructors work with students to gain the necessary knowledge to make you competent and responsible divers, and share their love of the underwater environment with you. Additional fees include purchase of mask, fins, and snorkel (provided for you the first 4 sessions) and outdoor checkout dive equipment fee.

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Get outside this winter for a fun day of shredding on the slopes in southern Indiana! Lift tickets (passes for access to the skiing terrain), snow tubing, and/or rentals are NOT included. The price is for transportation and leadership only.

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Located in Mt. Etna, Indiana we will enjoy a day cross-country skiing at Salamonie Lake State Park along groomed trails.  Explore the natural spaces while learning a new outdoor activity and enjoying the winter weather.

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Throughout the semester, Outdoor Pursuits is offering free outdoor skill workshops. These workshops will cover a variety of outdoor survival skills, with the hope that you will have a general understanding of how to have fun and function safely on your outdoor adventures. You do not need to bring anything, but it may be helpful to bring a notebook with a writing utensil or a laptop/tablet. We will provide the rest!

Every good outdoor trip starts the same way: with the right gear! In this workshop, we will discuss how to build an outdoor "ten essentials" kit, what types of clothing work best in the outdoors in different environments, and how to create an efficient sleeping system to keep you comfortable while you sleep.

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Outdoor Pursuits is traveling to the Cumberland Island this Spring Break! Cumberland Island National Seashore is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island, containing beaches, ruins, and historical sites. Our journey to Cumberland Island will plan a stop at Crowder’s Mountain State Park, in mountainous North Carolina for our first night. Our next probable stop will be at Skidaway Island State Park, in Savannah Georgia, which will give us the opportunity to spend a couple hours exploring the city of Savannah. We will start our three-day adventure on Cumberland Island! On the way back home, we will try to stay in a hostel in Asheville, North Carolina, giving us the chance to explore Asheville as well. Trip fee includes: lodging, transportation, trip leadership, and dinners on site, ferry ticket to the island, and trip gear.

50% of payment is refundable if the participant withdraws at least 20 business days prior to the trip or clinic date. Less than 20 business days results in no refund.

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Head South with Outdoor Pursuits this spring break and spend time hiking in the mountains around Tennessee, walking and camping on the beaches of Florida, exploring Chattanooga and a few days canoeing on Florida's Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Participants will have the opportunity to hike, camp, lay on the beach and canoe on this all in one trip. Participants will paddle an average of 8 miles a day. While on the river the group will camp each night in raised, screened sleeping platforms with amenities like hot showers and restrooms. Participants will be responsible for meals during travel. Mandatory pre-trip meetings will be held to discuss the detailed itinerary, meal plan, suggested packing list, and participant expectations. Basic paddling instruction and time in the pool are required. Registration fee includes transportation, dinners on the river, riverside camping, canoeing, and trip leadership.

50% of payment is refundable if the participant withdraws at least 20 business days prior to the trip or clinic date. Less than 20 business days results in no refund.

Sign Up Today!

Throughout the semester, Outdoor Pursuits is offering free outdoor skill workshops. These workshops will cover a variety of outdoor survival skills, with the hope that you will have a general understanding of how to have fun and function safely on your outdoor adventures. You do not need to bring anything, but it may be helpful to bring a notebook with a writing utensil or a laptop/tablet. We will provide the rest!

Shelter is one of three basic human needs. Learn to build an effective shelter for the environment you choose for your next adventure! In addition to learning guidelines for creating shelters, this workshop will cover choosing a suitable location for a campsite, setting up camp, and minimizing your environmental impact while outdoors.

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Come along with OP on a trip to the Red River Gorge! This trip is designed, specifically, for participants with minimal experience and/or knowledge of climbing, as an introduction to the sport of outdoor rock climbing. Trip registration includes transportation, two nights of camping and dinner, climbing equipment, and trip leadership.

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Throughout the semester, Outdoor Pursuits is offering free outdoor skill workshops. These workshops will cover a variety of outdoor survival skills, with the hope that you will have a general understanding of how to have fun and function safely on your outdoor adventures. You do not need to bring anything, but it may be helpful to bring a notebook with a writing utensil or a laptop/tablet. We will provide the rest!

Before departing on your next adventure, be sure you know how to get back home! Map and compass navigation is frequently overlooked but necessary for staying found. Outdoor Pursuits trip leaders will guide participants through the process of identifying parts of maps and compasses, as well as translating the information on maps into the real world.

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Outdoor Pursuits is going to Hocking Hills State Park for a weekend of hiking, camping, and exploring Hocking Hills state park. Hocking Hills offers cascading waterfalls, breathtaking cliffs, and deep recess caves. This state park is one of the most scenic areas in the state of Ohio. Trip fee includes, transportation, lodging, trip leadership, dinner on site, and trip gear.

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The main goal of this class is to introduce you to the "gentle arts" of fly casting and fly fishing as part of Outdoor Pursuits philosophy of helping people develop interests designed to promote emotional and physical well-being as well as lifelong recreational interests. Speaking from personal experience, fly casting and fly fishing - one cannot do the latter without learning how to do the former - can indeed help you become more involved in a world that ranges from a unique form of outdoor recreation to some excellent literature.

The class will consist of individualized instruction about basic fly casting techniques; introductory material on fly fishing for trout, bass, and panfish which will include "arcane" topics ranging from appropriate equipment to appropriate knots; and, perhaps, a comment or two about the best in fly fishing literature and DVDs - something one needs to get through Muncie winters.

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Participants will enjoy a weekend of kayaking through and between lakes in northern Indiana. We will paddle the length of Chain O’Lakes and kayak to our campsite in the park. The next day we will paddle back to the vehicles and drive back to Ball State. Cost of registration includes transportation, camp site, boating equipment/gear, dinner on site, and trip leadership.

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Enjoy a relaxing weekend spent on the beach, hiking the dunes and camping around Lake Michigan. Participants will explore the beautiful shoreline of the Lake Michigan before gathering around a campfire for the night. The next day we will soak up more rays at the beach before heading back to Ball State. Cost of registration includes transportation, camp site, gear, dinner on site, and trip leadership.

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Throughout the semester, Outdoor Pursuits is offering free outdoor skill workshops. These workshops will cover a variety of outdoor survival skills, with the hope that you will have a general understanding of how to have fun and function safely on your outdoor adventures. You do not need to bring anything, but it may be helpful to bring a notebook with a writing utensil or a laptop/tablet. We will provide the rest!

Whether you are building a shelter, strapping gear down in your boat, fishing, or rock climbing, knot tying is a critical skill for spending time in the outdoors. This workshop will introduce and demonstrate various knots that can be utilized in a variety of outdoor settings.

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Experience a new way to travel through the wilderness and appreciate the peace and quiet of the woods while on horseback. We will spend the night at a local camp ground while enjoying a nice campfire and dinner. Registration includes transportation, camping, dinners, equipment, trail ride and trip leadership.

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All participants are required to have an OP Health Questionnaire on file. The waiver has to be completed within your member profile at https://recreation.bsu.edu. See steps below.

OP HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE

EXPLORE CURRENT OFFERINGS AND REGISTER

 

Steps to Sign up for Trips

  1. Visit https://recreation.bsu.edu/ to log into your new Recreation Services Membership Portal.
  2. Sign into your account using your BSU information by selecting "Sign in with BSU Username and Password".
  3. Once logged in, select “Memberships and Waivers” from the options below.  Select “OP Health Questionnaire” from a list of options.
  4. Follow the steps to complete the waiver. This waiver will stay on file for one year. 
  5. Complete the waiver by selecting "Add to Cart" then "Checkout".
  6. Once the waiver has been completed, return to the home page select “Programs and Registrations” from the options below.  Select “Trips and Clinics” from a list of options.
  7. Complete the payment process with credit card.

For those who do not have a BSU log-in, register for your guest profile by selecting “Sign Up” 
located in the top right corner. Follow the steps to create a profile and verify your account.

Refunds

  • Ninety percent of payment is refundable if the participant withdraws at least 10 business days prior to the trip or clinic date. Less than 10 business days results in no refund.
  • Further restrictions may be placed on longer, more costly trips (such as Spring Break trips).
  • All trips and clinics that have a non-refundable deposit element will be identified as such.
  • All trip fees are fully refundable if Outdoor Pursuits cancels the trip or clinic for any reason.
  • All trip refund requests must go through the Coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits.

Find Your Challenge

Each trip on the registration page has been labeled with intensity and experience levels to better help you identify which Outdoor Pursuits experience is right for you! Please carefully read the trip description and do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions.

Easy

This trip is designed for fun and relaxation. If you’re able to make your way across campus without any problem, you’re ready for these trips. Most single-day trips fit into this category.

Moderate

This trip will require a moderate amount of walking, paddling, biking, active participation, etc. Plan to spend the majority of the day up and moving.

Strenuous

This trip will require a significant amount of hiking, paddling, biking, climbing, active participation, etc. Plan to spend more time moving than you’re used to.

Very Strenuous

These trips will test you physically. Long days, long mileage, and challenging terrain are par for the course. Regular physical activity and conditioning are a must to be prepared for this experience. Previous experience in the activity may be recommended.

Beginner

A perfect trip for a first-timer. You will have an opportunity to get some basic experience with us, and learn about the activity in a beginner-friendly environment.

Intermediate

Beginners are welcome, but we recommend some previous experience to get the most out of the trip.

Advanced

We strongly recommend previous experience. You should be comfortable with applicable skill set for the trip.

Expert

Demonstrated skill is required. We may require applicable certifications to participate in the trip. The technical nature of the trip makes it impossible for beginners to safely participate.

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