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.
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
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
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 May 1. Contact Brandon Price (bpp5@calvin.edu) for more information.
Summer Outdoor Equipment Rentals are by reservation June 1 - August 6. Contact Brandon Price bpp5@calvin.edu
BIKE MAINTENANCE
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4–5 p.m. Come and get mentoring with bike maintenance. Our bike shop is open beginning March 17 – May 1. Contact Jack Klop jdk57@calvin.edu for more information.
WEEKLY MOUNTAIN BIKING
Beginning after spring break, Calvin Outdoor Recreation offers weekly mountain biking on Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. Meet at the Outfitting Center at 4:45 p.m. Weekend trips to the Dragon and Merril 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
Thursdays 7 p.m. in the Recreation Classroom (HC 121). Contact Daniel Oyer ddo4@calvin.edu for more information. The Outdoor Recreation Bible Study will meet February 5 - April 9 in HC 121 (The Recreation Community Space). The semester will kick off with a community meal in HC 121 on January 29 at 6 p.m.
SUPPORT RECREATION AT CALVIN
Donate to support Calvin Outdoor Recreation and Campus Recreation Programs.
FALL 2025
WILLDERNESS ORIENTATION TRIPS for incoming First Year Students and Transfer Students.
To sign up: https://calvin.edu/wilderness-trips. All trips were full by May 1 in 2024.
August 5-11: Pictured Rocks Backpacking and Basecamp Multi-Element Adventure. All trips $699
August 20-27: North Channel Sea Kayak, Lake Superior Backpacking, Pictured Rocks Backpacking, Sleeping Bear Multi-Element. All trips $699.
FALL 2025 WEEKEND TRIPS
Sign up at the Climbing Center (most trips fill 1 week in advance)
September 6-7 PERE MARQUETTE RIVER PADDLING OVERNIGHT $30
September 12-14 SLEEPING BEAR NATIONAL LAKESHORE HIKE AND BIKE $35
September 19-21 NORTHERN MICHIGAN CYCLE TOUR $20
September 27-28 MANISTEE RIVER PADDLE BOARD $30
October 4-5 DRAGON MOUNTAIN BIKE $25
October 11-12 MANISTEE RIVER TRAIL FALL BACKPACK $30
Fall Break: Oct. 17-21 PICTURED ROCKS BACKPACK $120
November 7-9 CAVING ADVENTURE $35
Contact Ryan Rooks (ryan.rooks@calvin.edu) for more information.
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.