Outdoor Programs
UNC Asheville’s Go-To Outdoor Resource
Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Programs offer a variety of trips and adventures from serene hikes to adrenaline-pumping rock climbing and white water rafting. We also offer gear rentals to aid in the success of your own adventures. From land to water and everything in between, Outdoor Programs have something to offer everyone!
If you have any questions about our Outdoor Programs, reach out to us at outdoorprograms.rec@unca.edu.
Adventures & Trips
Asheville is home to some of the best hiking, paddling, climbing, biking, and backpacking on the East Coast. Outdoor Programs offers a wide variety of outdoor trips, workshops, clinics, and trainings for current UNC Asheville students.
No experience is necessary for any of our offerings. We will provide all transportation, essential equipment, and the highest quality instruction. Come share your next adventure with us!
How to Register for a Trip
Trips and programs are announced at the beginning of each semester. You will register for all trips through the CampDoc Online Registration System.
Trip registrations close at noon on the Thursday before the program.
Step 1: Register
- Option A: Register online through the CampDoc registration system.
- Option B: Come see us in the Outdoors Office during open hours.
Once you’ve registered, you will receive a confirmation email from our Outdoor Programs Trip Staff, who will answer any questions and share additional details leading up to your trip.
Step 2: Submit Payment
Payment is due in full by your trip’s registration deadline. You can either pay online with a credit card or pay in person with cash or check during Outdoor Programs office hours in the Student Rec Center, Room 108. All cancellations are subject to a non-refundable $5 administrative fee.
Step 3: Complete Forms
Complete the required participant trip forms, before your trip date. All Health History forms are completed online through the CampDoc registration system.
Requests for Accommodations
If you have a request for accommodation or questions about the essential eligibility criteria for trips, please contact us at outdoorprograms.rec@unca.edu.
Adventures and Trips FAQs
All essential technical gear and equipment is supplied. We do ask that you provide your own lunch, snacks, water, and activity-appropriate clothing. Other than that we’ve got you covered!
Outdoor Programs trip leaders are UNC Asheville students who have completed an intensive Outdoor Leadership Training Program, hold current CPR and wilderness medical certifications, and are approved to lead trips and programs by our professional staff.
Our trainings, standards, policies, and procedures meet or exceed industry-wide standards! Interested in training to become a leader? The training program is open to anyone! Check out our Outdoor Leadership Training Program.
Perfect! Let us introduce you to a new outdoor adventure sport. You’re the person we want to take outside. We all start somewhere!
Gear Rentals
The Outdoor Office provides a variety of quality outdoor equipment to rent at an affordable price. Our staff can also recommend great local camping, hiking, backpacking, climbing, biking, and paddling locations in the area. We do rentals by reservation and drop-in. If you’d like to reserve your gear in advance, please complete the Outdoor Gear Rental Reservation Form and you will be contacted by an office staff member to set up a pick up time. Stop by Student Recreation Center Room 108, or email us to learn more.
Outdoor Gear Reservation Form Contact the Outdoor Programs Team
Rental Information
- Rentals can be paid for with a check or cash, with exact change only. Check out our Rental Gear Price List for more details.
- Rentals in the Fall and Spring semesters are available for weekends or full weeks. No reservations are required, just drop in during office hours.
Outdoor Leadership Training Program
We invite all students to develop high-level leadership skills through our Outdoor Leadership Training Program!
The OLTP course progression serves as valuable professional development for leadership skills, facilitation skills, and outdoor technical skills. The OLTP is a two-semester training:
- Fall semester LA-205 Foundations of Outdoor Leadership (2 credits)
- Spring semester LA-210 Applications of Outdoor Leadership (2 credits)
Students who complete the full course may be eligible to work as a trip leader for Outdoor Programs, leading outdoor and adventure-based programs during evenings, weekends, and even our highly sought-after extended break trips. Many of our students have never done anything like this before- complete beginners and outdoor novices are encouraged to take the course!
To register for the program or if you have any questions, please contact recreation@unca.edu or stop by in person in the Student Rec Center Room 107.
Outdoor Leadership Training Program FAQs
Students who are interested in completing OLTP will enroll in a fall semester course (LA205) and a spring semester course (LA210). While it is possible to take LA210 in a non-consecutive year, it’s preferred and recommended that students participate in the full training program throughout the course of a single year. The course requires permission of the instructor to register.
LA205 and LA210 meet weekly on Thursdays from 5:15- 7:15 p.m., in-person at the Sherrill Center/Student Recreation Center
In addition to the weekly meeting times, 3 weekend and/or break field experiences are a required part of the training course. The field experiences include a national certification for Wilderness First Aid and CPR, technical skills training in activities such as rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and backpacking, and practical leadership experience.
There is a course fee of $650 associated with the training program to cover the cost of the field experiences and certifications. Students may pay at the beginning of the fall semester, or you can participate in a payment plan over the course of the year.
Kayak Roll Sessions
Roll sessions take place most Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Justice Center Pool. These sessions are free for all current UNC Asheville students, staff, and faculty. We also welcome community members for a small fee.
Button: Join our community member email list
Community Participation
Are kayak roll sessions are open to community members most Wednesdays! Due to large participation numbers, we reserve the last Wednesday of each month for UNC Asheville students only.
Community members should be prepared to pay with a debit or credit card. We are not able to accept American Express.
Community Member Cost to Participate:
- If you have your own boat, gear, and do not require any instruction: $10
- If you need to borrow gear, but do not need instruction: $15
- If you need instruction: $20 (gear use included)
Instructions for Attending a Session
Roll sessions start at 7:30 p.m. Plan to arrive before 7:45 p.m. if you’re interested in renting gear or receiving instruction.
Already have experience and are comfortable wet exiting? Know your roll and want to practice, or even have your own gear?
We welcome paddlers with experience to choose their own adventure. Drop in at any time, staff will check you in and cover any gear you may need, review the wet exit with you, and then step back to allow you access to the deep end of the pool for your own time to play. This is uninstructed time, as our instructors will work in the shallow end with small group lessons.
Tips For Your First Visit
Bring a towel and a change of clothes! Wear a bathing suit and a long-sleeve, non-cotton shirt if you tend to get cold easily. Arrive on time to get help from our staff in getting sized for gear and learning the basics.
Bring your RockyCard Student ID or Drivers License, and card for payment to the pool as our staff will hold onto that while you have equipment checked out.
Rules for the Pool
We like a clean pool. Please hose off personal boats before getting in the pool.
Rules for Playboating
Playboat in the deep end only, helmets are required. We are happy to provide a helmet if you do not have one!
Custom Programming
Outdoor Programs is excited to collaborate with groups to provide custom programming through adventure, experiential learning, and team building. All programs are designed to meet the specific needs of each group’s unique goals and are available to partners on and off campus, including student groups, academic departments, organizations, clubs, and camps. Whether you want to give your group a fun afternoon outdoors, or seek to develop higher level communication and leadership skills among members, we can help!
Programs are available year-round. Please note that all custom programming and teambuilding requests must be made a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the requested program date. We recommend that you reach out to us as far ahead of time as you can so that we can best accommodate your request.
Custom Program Options
- Outdoor Programming: With our highly trained student staff, we can partner with you to provide exciting adventure experiences for your group.
- Leadership, Interpersonal, or Skills Trainings: Outdoor Programs leaders complete a rigorous year-long training that focuses on technical skills, advanced leadership, risk management, group management, interpersonal communication, and educational skill sets. We are always excited to bring bits and pieces of these successful trainings to other groups in fun and engaging ways.
The Bike Shop
The Bike Shop offers a variety of free bike-related resources, including commuter bike and skateboard rentals, bike repair, and bike repair education. Mountain bikes can also be rented for a small fee. Bike rentals and repairs are available to all UNC Asheville students, faculty, and staff. The Bike Shop is located on the ground floor of the Student Recreation Center. Questions? Contact us at 828.232.5178 or bikeshop.rec@unca.edu.
Rentals
Rentals are available during the Fall and Spring semesters for weekends or full weeks. No reservations are required, just drop into the shop during open hours. The bike shop has a rental fleet of over 35 bikes, both mountain bikes and commuter bikes, as well as skateboards. Each bike rental comes with a lock and helmet and bikes can be rented for up to a week at a time. All commuter bikes and skateboards are free for students! Check out our Bike Shop Rental Rates for more details.
Repairs
As an educational shop, expect to stay with your bike during the repair whenever possible. Our mission is to teach you the skills and know-how to perform your own maintenance in the future. Trained student bike mechanics will be on hand to assist you with all of your bicycling maintenance needs. Some services, depending on the complexity of the maintenance request, or if new parts are required, may take longer or require a nominal fee.
The bike shop can get quite busy at the beginning of the semester; please email us at bikeshop.rec@unca.edu prior to dropping in if you have an urgent repair issue.
Campus Fix-It Stand
When the Bike Shop is closed you can visit the Dero Fix-it Stand on the UNC Asheville Campus, located next to Zeis Hall, across from the city bus stop. You can also find other fix-it stands around Asheville.
The fix-it stand includes all the tools necessary to perform basic repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat tire to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The tools and air pump are all attached for your use. Hanging the bike from the hanger arms allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments.
Tips & Tricks
- Prevent bike theft by registering your bike. Stop by the shop to register your bike and get a bike ID number decal that will be on record with the shop and campus police. Mechanics will also record the manufacturer’s ID number from the bike frame. Should your bike ever go missing, this can help authorities in tracking it down and reclaiming it.
- Always lock your bike. Ask a mechanic to show you the proper way to lock up your bike.
- Report missing bikes. Contact Campus Police immediately in Weizenblatt Hall or call 828.232.5000.