Maquoketa Caves:

Students will travel to Maquoketa Caves State Park in eastern Iowa to explore its gorgeous geological formations. Maquoketa Caves is one of Iowa's most unique state parks. Its caves, limestone formations, and rugged bluffs provide visitors a chance to "step back" into geological time thousands of years. Caves are all different sizes and shapes. Some can be explored by walking while others can best be seen by crawling. The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa. A beautiful trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing an exciting hiking experience. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stands nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, and the 17-ton "Balanced Rock".

This class is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Physical activities include hiking on well maintained trails through woodlands and over rocky terrain; and exploring caves large and small. Students should be prepared to hike and camp in varying weather conditions. The class will camp at a developed campground with access to bathrooms and running water. 

Class will leave Iowa City on Friday afternoon, camp at Maquoketa Caves State Park over the weekend, and return to campus on Sunday afternoon. Friday's departure time will be coordinated around students' class schedules.

The course fee covers camping equipment, park fees, meals while camping, and transportation. Students must bring their own water bottles, weather/activity appropriate clothing, and footwear. The instructor will discuss these items in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. 

Students will venture to Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin for a weekend of hiking and camping at one of the midwest's most spectacular areas for outdoor recreation. Towering quartzite bluffs encircle Devil's Lake, rising 500 hundred feet over the valley floor and affording hikers breathtaking vistas. Over 30 miles of well maintained trails connect the park and offer varying levels of challenge. If time allows, the class may also visit neighboring Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area. 

This class is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Physical activities include steep ascents/descents, hiking on paved/unpaved trails and over rocky terrain. Students should be prepared to hike and camp in varying weather conditions. The class will camp in a developed campground with access to bathrooms and water. 

Class will leave Iowa City on Friday afternoon, camp at Devil's Lake State Park over the weekend, and return to campus on Sunday afternoon. Friday's departure time will be coordinated around students' class schedules.

The course fee covers camping equipment, park fees, meals while camping, and transportation. Students must bring their own water bottles, eating utensils, and weather/activity appropriate clothing & footwear. The instructor will discuss these items in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. 

Students will travel to Yellow River State Forest in northeastern Iowa, one of the best locations for backpacking in the state. Left untouched by the glaciers of the last ice age, Yellow River State Forest is situated in the geologically significant Driftless Area and contains roughly 25 miles of trails that connect hilly woodlands, craggy bluffs, and spring-fed streams. Four primitive backcountry campsites are dotted throughout the forest, offering backpackers an opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. If time allows, the class may also visit neighboring Effigy Mounds National Monument, the only national monument in Iowa. 

This class is beginner friendly, but will be strenuous at times. Physical activities include hiking on paved and unpaved trails, up and down hills, over rocky terrain, and carrying backpacks weighing roughly 30-35 pounds. Students should be prepared to hike and camp in varying weather conditions. 

Class will leave Iowa City on Friday afternoon, camp at Yellow River State Forest over the weekend, and return to campus on Sunday afternoon. Friday's departure time will be coordinated around students' class schedules.

The course fee covers camping/backpacking equipment, park fees, meals while camping, and transportation. Students must bring their own water bottles, eating utensils/vessels, and weather/activity appropriate clothing & footwear. The instructor will discuss these items in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. 

Remote, multi-day, backcountry camping skills; proper packing and planning; backcountry nutrition; topographic map reading; equipment and clothing selection; very physically strenuous; overnight camping required.

Experience the Appalachian Mountains via the Foothills Trail, a 76-mile National Recreation Trail located on the border of North and South Carolina. For several days and nights, students will hike through the mountains and see a mix of breathtaking views, serene lakes, raging rivers, and majestic waterfalls.

Please note that this class will be very physically strenuous; a good level of physical fitness will go a long way! Individuals with health concerns - particularly of the heart and lung variety - should take serious consideration before registering. Students will hike up to 10-15 miles per day on challenging terrain, ascending and descending in elevation, while carrying backpacks weighing upwards of 50 pounds. Camping will be primitive and remote. Weather in this region is unpredictable during the early spring and can be extreme. That being said, this class does not require prior backpacking experience or technical skill - beginners are welcome!

Course fees cover transportation, meals while camping, permit/access/camping fees, and backpacking/camping equipment.

This class with teach the basics of orienteering, including map and compass skill at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area.

This interactive and engaging course introduces students to the basic orienteering skills needed to effectively use a map and compass in outdoor settings. Topics will include: reading a topographical map, properly using a compass, how to shoot and follow a field bearing, triangulation, and route finding. Students will put their new-found knowledge to the test at Macbride Nature Recreation Area, which boasts 485 beautiful acres of woodlands, wetlands, prairies and lakefront. This class is beginner friendly and may be moderately strenuous at times. Students should be prepared for hiking on and off trail with slight ascents/descents in elevation. 

The weekend portion of the class involves two, single-day field experiences (Saturday and Sunday) and does not involve or require overnight camping. Students must provide their own food, water bottle, weather/activity appropriate clothing, footwear, and transportation to the class location which is roughly 30 minutes from campus. The instructor will discuss itinerary details and other expectations for this course at the first class meeting. Attendance at all class meetings is mandatory. 

This class involves extensive navigation and camping skills in a remote wilderness. There will be a focus on map and compass skills such as declination, bearings, triangulation, topographical map reading, situational awareness, and backcountry camping skills. This course can be very physically strenuous.

This class was formerly called "Land Navigation." Students will learn basic and advanced land navigation techniques while backpacking in the breathtaking Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument of southern Utah. The goal is to provide students with the tools and confidence to undertake solo, and small group trips into unfamiliar terrain by planning routes and determining locations using topographic maps and compass. Among the skills learned will be: reading a topographic map, proper use of a compass, determining location using triangulation, terrain navigation, and overnight backpacking skills. GPS technology will be introduced if time allows.

Please note that this class will be very physically strenuous; a good level of physical fitness will go a long way! Individuals with health concerns - particularly of the heart and lung variety - should take serious consideration before registering. Students will hike up to 10-15 miles per day on challenging terrain, ascending and descending in elevation, while carrying backpacks weighing upwards of 50 pounds. Camping will be primitive and remote. That being said, this class does not require prior backpacking experience or technical skill - beginners are welcome!

Course fees cover transportation, meals while camping, permit/access/camping fees, and backpacking/camping equipment.

Utilizing the newly constructed UI Challenge Course at the Hawkeye Recreation Fields, students will participate in a variety of exciting group-centered activities and challenges. Throughout the weekend, themes of teamwork, leadership, and group dynamics are explored in a fun and interactive setting.

On Saturday, the class will experience the low ropes course, which involves cooperative challenges and physical obstacles/elements that are lower to the ground. On Sunday, students will have the chance to reach new heights on the double-decker high ropes course with 18 interconnected high elements, twin zip lines, giant swing, and leap of faith. 

The weekend portion of the class involves two, single-day field experiences (Saturday and Sunday) and does not involve or require overnight camping.

Students are expected to bring their own food, weather/activity appropriate clothing, & footwear. These items will be covered in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

The course fee covers equipment and facilitation on the ropes course. 

Click here   for more information on the UI Challenge Course.
 

This comprehensive course spends Saturday teaching students the basics of top-rope climbing and belaying at the CRWC's indoor climbing wall and putting these skills to use on outdoor climbs at Pictured Rocks County Park on Sunday. If weather does not allow for outdoor climbing sessions, class will be held at the Rec's indoor climbing wall instead. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to obtain a UI Climbing Wall belay approval card. 

This course is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Students should be prepared for vertical climbing up to 50 feet, moderate ascents/descents on unpaved trails, and climbing/hiking in varying weather conditions. Students will have access to bathrooms and water at Sunday's outside climbing location. No overnight camping is involved or required for this class. 

All rock climbing equipment is provided. Students must provide their own food, water bottles, and weather/activity appropriate clothing, footwear, and transportation to Sunday's climbing location which is roughly 1 hour from campus. The instructor will discuss itinerary details, carpooling options, and other expectations for this course at the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory.

Click here   for more information on the Climbing Wall. Click here   for more information on Pictured Rocks County Park.

This course is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Students should be prepared for vertical climbing, moderate ascents/descents on unpaved hiking trails, and climbing/hiking in varying weather conditions. No overnight camping is involved or required for this class. 

All bouldering equipment is provided. Students are expected to bring their own food, water bottles, and weather/activity appropriate clothing & footwear. Students must provide their own transportation to the outdoor bouldering location which is within 30 minutes of campus. The instructor will go over these items in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory.

Click here   for more information on the Climbing Wall. 

Class will meet at the Outdoor Rental Center on both Saturday and Sunday. This class does not involve or require overnight camping. A multi-speed bicycle and helmet are required. Bikes and helmets can be rented at Recreational Services' Outdoor Rental Center (2820 Prairie Meadow Dr.) while supplies last. E-bikes are not allowed in this class unless a student has a valid medical or disability-related concern.

This class is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Students should be prepared for moderate ascents/descents and varying weather conditions. Students must already know how to ride a bike prior to taking this class!

Students must provide their own weather/activity appropriate clothing & footwear and water bottles. A small backpack is recommended. Students may bring their own lunch or purchase food during a lunch stop along the route. The instructor will go over these items in greater detail during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. 

Click here   for more information on Iowa City's Bike Trail System. Click here   for more information on the Outdoor Rental Center.

This fun, fast-paced class teaches students the fundamentals of mountain biking techniques, bike anatomy, and trail stewardship. Utilizing the local Clear Creek, Woodpecker, and Creekside trail systems as our classroom, students will ride and explore winding and weaving trails through hardwood forests, rolling hills, and prairie meadows. 

This class is beginner friendly, but will be moderately strenuous at times. Students must already know how to ride a bike prior to taking this class! Students should be prepared for moderate ascents/descents and varying weather conditions. 

The weekend portion of the course involves two, single-day field experiences (Saturday and Sunday) and does not involve or require overnight camping. A multi-speed mountain bike and helmet are required for this course. These items can be rented at Recreational Services' Outdoor Rental Center (2820 Prairie Meadow Dr.) while supplies last.

Students must provide their own food, water, weather/activity appropriate clothing & footwear, and transportation to class. The instructor will go over these items in greater detail during the first class meeting.. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. 

Click here   for information on Clear Creek, Woodpecker, and Creekside trails. 

Click here   for more information on renting mountain bikes from the Outdoor Rental Center. 

How to successfully and comfortably camp in cold, harsh conditions; snow shelters, hydration, meal preparation, clothing needs; snowshoe/ski travel with sleds (as conditions permit).

This course will be a basic primer in the skills necessary to camp outside in the winter. Students will spend two days and one night camping out at Macbride Nature Recreation Area north of Iowa City. Topics include: winter weather clothing, winter camping gear, nutrition and hydration, hypothermia and frostbite, winter shelters (quinzees and snowpits), and possibly snowshoeing. 

Camping equipment and food will be provided. Students must provide their own winter weather clothing, footwear, and transportation to Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Appropriate clothing, footwear, and carpool options will be discussed during the first class meeting. Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory.

Basics of snowshoeing; physically strenuous.

Participants will learn basic techniques of snowshoeing, including ascending, descending, and traversing on some somewhat challenging terrain.  The snowshoe adventure will take place on the scenic trails and Northwoods area of Giants Ridge Resort, located in northern Minnesota. No experience needed, but essential aerobic conditioning is recommended.

Course fee includes transportation, lodging, and equipment. 

The course fee is not refundable.

This course covers the basics of cross-country skiing in northern Wisconsin.

Students will learn the basics of cross-country skiing at Giants Ridge Resort located in the Northwoods of Minnesota.  Cross-country skiing is a very aerobic active sport but can be enjoyed by individuals of all fitness levels and ages.  Students will ski UP and DOWN hills and will be outside in potentially frigid weather. This course is strenuous.

Course fee includes transportation, equipment, lodging, and ski passes.

The first day on snow will consist of lessons in the morning, followed by a break for lunch.  The afternoon session is designed to perfect what was learned in the morning.  Students will be allowed to free ski later in the day.

The second day on snow will consist of an on-snow review and additional instruction, followed by a written test and an instructor evaluation.