At Calvin, the wilderness becomes a powerful classroom.
For over 20 years, Calvin students have had epic adventures together in iconic locations including Costa Rica, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree National Park, Red River Gorge, and the Ontario wilderness. Calvin's Outdoor Recreation programming also explores and learns in its own backyard, enjoying abundant local mountain biking and paddling, the dunes and beach environments of Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, and rivers and trails of the Manistee National Forest.
Adventure Photos
Join Us
Whether you are brand new to adventure or looking to become a skilled wilderness leader, Calvin's Outdoor Recreation program offers abundant opportunities, classes, and programs for you:
- Wilderness Trips for incoming and transfer students
- Sustainability and Outdoor Recreation Living and Learning Community
- State-of-the-art climbing center
- Weekend, fall break, and spring break trips
- Outfitting rental center and bike shop
- Expeditionary field courses
- Outdoor/climbing per skills courses
- Recreation Leadership minor
SPRING 2026 OUTDOOR REC TRIPS
Sign up at the Climbing Center (most trips fill 1 week in advance)
January 1-18 Costa Rica Rainforest Expedition
January 19 Caberfae Ski/Board Day - $19 Lift Tickets; $29 Rentals
February 4 Winter Backpack Clinic 4-6:00 PM
February 7-8 Winter Backpack Overnight - $30
February 17 BANFF Mountain Film Festival - $10
February 21 16th Annual Top Rope Climbing Comp - $15
February 28 ORM Winter Retreat - $20
March 7-14 Joshua Tree Climbing Trip - $1200*
March 7-14 Grand Canyon Backpacking Trip - $1200*
April 11 Dragon Mountain Bike - $20
April 18-19 Fly Fishing Weekend - $35
April 18-19 Manistee River Backpack - $30
May 10-15 Red River Gorge Climbing Course - $400*
*Application and Deposit Required
For more information, contact Ryan Rooks at ryan.rooks@calvin.edu
FALL 2025
OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Monday and Thursday 4–5 p.m. north side of Tennis and Track Building. Our Outdoor Rental Center and Outfitting Center opens September 1 - October 30. Contact Aaron Wildschut at afw4@calvin.edu for more information.
To rent equipment please complete the form at this link:
https://commerce.cashnet.com/calvinCUS?itemcode=CUS-REC4
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4–5 p.m. Come and get mentoring with bike maintenance. Our bike shop is open September 2 - October 29. Contact Jack Klop jdk57@calvin.edu for more information.
WEEKLY MOUNTAIN BIKING
Beginning after spring break, Calvin Outdoor Recreation offers weekly mountain biking on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Meet at the Outfitting Center at 4:45 p.m. Weekend trips to the Dragon and Merrill Trails TBD. Contact Jack Klop jdk57@calvin.edu for more information.
POOL KAYAKING
Mondays 7:30–9 p.m. Sign up at the Climbing Center Desk for a 4-week class. Contact Joel VanHekken jev65@calvin.edu for more information.
OUTDOOR REC BIBLE STUDY
September 17 - December 10, Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Outdoor Recreation Bible Study will meet in HC 121 (The Recreation Community Space). The semester will kick off with a community wood fire pizza night on September 10 at 6 p.m. There will be a weekend outdoor retreat October 4-5. The semester will conclude with a Chili Cookoff on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Luke Coffel ljc25@calvin.edu
ADVENTURE GRANT SPRING BREAK TRIPS
Put together a group of 5-10 Calvin students and have Outdoor Programs help you design and execute your own trip. Adventure Grants are awarded to students planning backpacking and other related wilderness-based spring break trips. For more info contact Josh Van Berkel jwv33@calvin.edu
SUPPORT RECREATION AT CALVIN
Donate to support Calvin Outdoor Recreation and Campus Recreation Programs.
2025 Winter Intensive: Costa Rica River and Rainforest Adventure
This course features 17 nights in rural Costa Rican homes, backpacking in the Costa Rican rain forest, exploration of remote villages, rappelling, caving, white water rescue, white-water kayaking, snorkeling, and surfing.