Outdoor Recreation
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.
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
OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Monday and Thursday 4–5 p.m. north side of Track and Tennis Building. Our NEW Outdoor Rental Center and Outfitting Center opens on February 19 and will be open through April 25. Contact Brandon Price (bpp5@calvin.edu) for more information.
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4–5 p.m. Come and get mentoring with bike maintenance. Our bike shop is open beginning March 12–April 24. Contact Jack Klop (jdk57@calvin.edu) for more information.
WEEKEND TRIPS
Calvin Outdoor Recreation runs a variety of weekend trips during the winter. Look for promotion and sign up at the Climbing Center. Look for Skiing/Boarding, Winter Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Paddling, Backpacking.
MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES
Join us for local Tuesday rides beginning April 2. Meet at the Outfitting Center/Bike Shop at 4:45 p.m. Trips depart at 5 p.m. 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
Thursdays 7:30 p.m. in the Recreation Classroom (HC 121). Contact Ben Richards (bar26@calvin.edu) for more information. Bible Study begins January 25 and concludes April 25. All are welcome!
Courses and expeditions
PERE MARQUETTE - $20
September 7, 2024
MERRELL MOUNTAIN BIKE - free
September 8, 2024
NORTHERN MICHIGAN ROAD CYCLE - $30
September 13-15, 2024
MANISTEE PADDLEBOARD - $25
September 14-15, 2024
PINE RIVER CANOE - $30
September 21-22, 2024
SLEEPING BEAR
September 27-29, 2024
MANISTEE FASTPACKING - $25
October 5-6, 2024
NORTHERN MICHIGAN MOUNTAIN BIKE - $25
October 11-13, 2024
OR MINISTRY OVERNIGHT CANOE
October 12-13, 2024
PICTURED ROCKS FALL BREAK BACKPACKING EXPEDITION
October 18-21, 2024
DRAGON MOUNTAIN BIKE - $25
October 26-27, 2024
MULTI-ELEMENT ADVENTURE TRIP - $25
November 2-3, 2024
GRAND CANYON BACKPACKING AND NOLS WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER COURSE
January 1–18, 2025
Contact Ryan Rooks (ryan.rooks@calvin.edu) for more information.