From backpacking to climbing rocks, every student can find an adventure at the Outing Centre.

Senior hospitality major Elise Gagliardi said she found the outing center intriguing.

“That’s cool that there is a program like this,” Gagliardi said. “I have been rock climbing once, so I would do it again. It is a good thing to have on campus.”

Graduate assistant Christine Lagattolla said the Outing Centre has about 25 trips planned for the 2010-2011 school year so far.

“The trips range from clinics, which are about an hour long each on weekdays, to day trips which include Lake Geneva, going canoeing and a yoga hike,” Lagattolla said. “There are also overnight weekend trips like climbing in Devil’s Lake, a yoga retreat to the Indiana dunes and backpacking in Iowa.”

The number of students who go on the trips is usually small so the trip can be more enjoyable, said Sandi Carlisle, director of Recreation Services.

“Outdoor Adventure trips are designed to be small groups so that they can be facilitated in a safe and enjoyable manner,” Carlisle said. “On average, each trip is about 10 to 12 participants.”

Carlisle also said the small group format of the Outing Centre adventures can make the experience even better.

“In this small group format, individuals can learn how to work within a team, explore their own strengths and weakness, and learn new outdoor adventure skills,” Carlisle said.

Amangeldi Djumanaliev, political science graduate student, said he believes the many options great to have.

“I think it is a great idea because It gives a lot of opportunities to see what else is out there,” Djumanaliev said.

Nicholas Skuban, sophomore mechanical engineering major and Outing Centre staff leader, said students can rent outing gear from the center if they don’t have it.

“It’s a great opportunity to try out new things and its easy access to renting gear,” Skuban said. “Also, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people.”

Camping gear can also be rented at the Outing Centre for $30. Water and sports equipment can be rented there as well, Lagattolla said.

Aaron Stahly, senior political science major and staff leader, believes this is an opportunity that students will not want to pass up.

“It’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself and its open for any student who wants to try something new,” Stahly said.

The Outing Centre and other programs that come from the recreation center are funded in two ways.

“Recreation Services program areas include Outdoor Adventures, Intramural Sports, Open Recreation, Sport Clubs, Aquatics, Fitness and Wellness. All these program areas are partially funded by the Student Association,” Carlisle said. “In addition, each program is also supported by registration fees. Recreation Services tries very hard to keep registration fees at a lower cost for students.”

Carlisle said the facility fee students pay also helps to maintain the Recreation Center and programs.