Whether seeking a group bonding activity, a new way to exercise or an affordable option for gear rental, NIU Outdoor Adventures is a haven for anyone in search of community, adventure, physical activity and budget-friendly gear rental. 

Located within the NIU Recreation Center, this unique facility has a diverse assortment of activities, resources and year-round equipment to suit any student, staff or community member’s adventurous spirit. 

Shannon Range, the assistant director of Outdoor Adventures, explained the different gear available for rental.

“A lot of people have no idea what we offer,” Range said.

For students looking to embrace outdoor activity in every season, Outdoor Adventures offers a helping hand with adjusted prices for NIU students. 

During the winter season, snowy adventurers are offered ice skates, snowboards, snowshoes and cross-country skis, making sure those interested are set for the winter with “incredibly easy” access to equipment, according to Range. 

With the Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort just 90 minutes from NIU, Outdoor Adventures presents students with a convenient option for snowboard rentals. 

Beyond the student body, community members also benefit from affordable gear rental rates. Gear is available for rent for up to a week, or more with arrangement. 

At only $5 a day, cross-country skis are a convenient option for exploring nearby plains and trails such as Prairie Park, located three minutes from NIU’s campus. 

In addition to equipment, Outdoor Adventures offers many how-to sessions and trips.

From an upcoming snowboarding clinic at a local mountain, an ice skating trip to Millennium Park, a winter hike at Starved Rock and a beginner backpacking trip to Iowa, Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of outdoor events to choose from. 

Students have the opportunity to tailor trips and excursions with groups or individually through Outdoor Adventures, according to Range. This custom service offers access to equipment as well as arrangement of transportation and catering to individuals who may have difficult schedules and/or want to work with a knowledgeable team to plan a trip. 

Individuals who prefer spring season activities may be interested in weekly crate stacking, a challenging activity involving stacking and scaling crates as high as possible. 

Additionally, those missing summertime activities can look forward to weekly stand-up paddle board yoga on Tuesdays, April 2 to April 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and a kayak workshop March 24, 3-5 p.m. Both events will be held in the Anderson Hall pool. 

Community members, as well as student organizations, can collaborate with Outdoor Adventures to form custom challenges, such as an NIU rendition of popular 2000s TV show “The Amazing Race.” 

In this unique mission, participants will work in teams to tackle outdoor challenges, emphasizing important skills such as teamwork, communication and agility. 

Standard Outdoor Adventures rental hours are 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Friday. Outdoor Adventures is committed to accommodating the community and will find a more convenient time for rental via phone or email.  

For more information on Outdoor Adventures, visit its event page or contact Shannon Range at sr[email protected].