In Our Outdoor Era: Five Things to do with the Weber State Outdoor Program
Hello and welcome to our WSU Outdoor Program blog! We’ve been the university’s resident outdoor experts for a long time and we figured it was time we started a blog to share our knowledge with the community! From leading adventure trips, to running the RAMP Technical Training Center (climbing wall), to renting outdoor gear to students and the community, we have a wealth of information and experience to share, and a true passion for all things outdoors!
Weber State is special because we have a beautiful backyard full of outdoor activities right at our fingertips, so we’re always in our outdoor era (for all you Swifties out there, we’re folklore and evermore people for sure). From spending a day stand-up paddleboarding at Pineview Reservoir, to hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, to climbing at the 9th street crag, or skiing at one of several resorts a short drive up the canyon away, there really is something for everyone! We’ve been helping students and community members find their adventures by providing affordable rental gear, instruction, and trips, and now we’re giving you even more resources to get outside and experience the gorgeous state of Utah!
We’ll be posting regularly on this blog on all things outdoor adventures. You’ll get inside scoops and recaps about our adventure trips, guides on how to have your own adventures, tips, resources and more!
Want to get involved with the WSU Outdoor Program or need help getting started on your next outdoor activity? To start off, here’s a list of the top five things to do with the Outdoor Program:
Go on an Adventure Program Trip
Winter, spring, summer or fall, we run trips for all skill levels throughout the year! If you’re new to the outdoors and don’t feel ready to commit to a full camping trip, try going on a Summit Series hike, moonlight snowshoeing, sunset paddleboarding or attend a local climbing night. A lot of these day trips are free or very affordable, and equipment is usually provided. If you want a full weekend adventure, let us do all the planning and come for the fun! In the summer or fall, try a mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoneering, river rafting or backpacking trip, or in the winter, join us for backcountry skiing, ice climbing and more! Our trips are led by our qualified and certified guides, and many trips are open to beginners. Going on a trip or to one of our day events is the perfect way to make friends and connect with others all while enjoying the outdoors. Most of our trips happen right here in Utah, but we also go to neighboring states to experience the best of everything. Did we mention that students usually pay half the price of a community member for trips?
Check out upcoming adventure program trips
Try a Custom Guided Adventure
We also do fully custom-guided adventures for individuals and groups! It can be daunting to know where to start when planning an outdoor trip, so we have guides who can make all the plans and elevate your trip by providing guidance and instruction tailored to your ability and wants. Guided adventures we can do include:
- Guided Rock Climbing Adventures: From April to October, half and full-day experiences are available, as well as instructional group climbing.
- Guided Snow Adventures: From December to March, go on a guided backcountry ski trip! This is the perfect way to experience some of that “greatest snow on earth” we’re known for in the Utah backcountry. We also do guided snowshoeing half-day adventures in North Fork Park area and Wheeler Creek.
- Guided Water Adventures: From May to October, we can take your group on guided white or flat water kayaking trips on the Weber River or Causey Reservoir, all equipment included!
Rent Outdoor Equipment
If you’re ready to go out and adventure on your own but just need the gear to do it, we can help with that too! Our rental center is filled with high-quality outdoor equipment for every season including rafts; kayaks; stand-up paddleboards; alpine, telemark or cross-country skis; snowboards; snowshoes; ski/board boots; tents; climbing equipment; and even sports set gear like spikeball packages. Students even get a 30% off discount!
With a rental center on campus it’s easy to take a spontaneous paddle boarding day trip or grab skis or a snowboard and head to the mountains for a day on the snow. We even have tuning services to keep your winter gear in top-shape.
Climb, Learn or Play at the Technical Training Center
In addition to helping you get out and explore Utah, we also have recreational opportunities right here on campus in our beautiful Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center. Come try roped climbing on our 55 ft wall or bouldering on 15 ft walls, or learn how to rappel inside before taking your skills outside to rappel off the roof! We host regular climbing, rappelling and adaptive climbing clinics as well as free events such as movie nights, climbing rope crafting and dutch oven cooking. There are also several special events throughout the year including Blacklight Bouldering, a Halloween “DynoNight” and Cupid’s Crimpin Classic Valentines event. WSU students, faculty and staff all climb for free, as well as dependents, which means it’s the perfect idea for your next family or date night.
Learn more about the Technical Training Center
Get Certified
The Outdoor Program is also your source in Northern Utah for outdoor industry professional and recreational certification courses! If you’re ready to level up your outdoor skills and passion even more, try an AIARE Avalanche Education or Wilderness Medicine Course. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, getting certified in these areas will help you keep yourself and others safe. We even facilitate AMGA SPI courses and exams for single pitch instructors. All of our certifications and courses are available to members of the WSU and surrounding communities!
Outdoor Program Certifications
Believe it or not, those top five activities are just some of the things we do at the outdoor program! We also have a yurt, a challenge course and are constantly busy with local partners providing opportunities for the community to get outside!
At the Outdoor Program, we don’t care if you’re a beginner to outdoor recreation or a seasoned pro, there’s an activity waiting to be discovered that you’ll love. Heck, I literally work here and anyone who knows me would tell you I’m not an outdoorsy person, and yet… here I am finding ways that I love to get outside and stay active (paddle boarding is my personal favorite!). Our goal with the Outdoor Program, and now with this blog, is to provide the resources you need to have lots of fun and successful outdoor adventures!
So, what adventure will you go on first?
More Resources for your next outdoor adventure:
About The Author
Leslie loves being the marketing coordinator for Campus Recreation and helping people find ways to be involved with its many amazing programs, including the outdoor program! Leslie is a Weber State alum and proud Wildcat for life, and she’s currently working on her Masters in Professional Communication at WSU too! Leslie’s favorite Outdoor Adventures include anything to do with being on the water, especially stand-up paddle boarding at Pineview or Causey. Her favorite way to be outside though is simply reading a book, outside in the sun.
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