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Choose Your Own Adventure with Duke Rec

Employees and students can join outdoor trips in October

Duke Recreation offers a variety of trips and experiences through its Outdoor Adventures programming. Activities are open to all Duke community members.
Duke Recreation offers a variety of trips and experiences through its Outdoor Adventures programming. Activities are open to all Duke community members.
Bryan Roth

Fall is a favorite time to get active outdoors and with help from Duke Recreation, employees and students have plenty of opportunities this month and beyond.

Beginning this week, Duke Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures programs kick into high gear, offering day and overnight trips that take Duke community members backpacking through the woods, zip lining high above the ground and trail running through the forest. For a subsidized fee, participants are guided by trained staff and provided with transportation, equipment, food and instruction.

No experience is necessary to join the programming and employees don’t need to be a Duke Recreation member, either.

“Our goal is to create a really fun, welcoming atmosphere for anybody to try something new,” said Chris Hendricks, director for Outdoor Adventures. “Things like backpacking and rock climbing are workouts, but a totally different style of workout.”

Upcoming trips include:

  • Oct. 8 to 11 – Fall Break backpacking in Virginia (registration deadline: Oct. 4), $75
  • Oct. 15 – Zip line canopy trip in Raleigh (registration deadline: Oct. 7), $60
  • Oct. 16 – Trail running in Durham (registration deadline: Oct. 18)
  • Oct. 22 and 23 – Overnight backpacking at Eno River State Park (registration deadline: Oct. 18), $45
  • Oct. 23 – Fall colors hike in Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area (registration deadline: Oct. 18), $25
  • Nov. 6 – Rock climbing hike at Pilot Mountain State Park (registration deadline: Nov. 1), $50

Prices are per person and can be paid with cash, check or FLEX. Duke community members can sign up for programs by meeting Duke Rec staff at the climbing wall in Wilson Recreation Center on West Campus from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Parking for Wilson is available in the Card Gym Lot, which provides evening and weekend access for Duke community members via swiping a valid DukeCard. For assistance or more information, email Chris Hendricks at chendricks@duaa.duke.edu.

“Getting away from the Duke bubble can be super refreshing and this is a great way to get introduced to a new activity,” Hendricks said.

Outdoor Adventures staff can also be hired to create programming that customizes getaways for offices and departments. This summer, staff at Duke’s International House enlisted Hendricks to plan a retreat to Eno River State Park, where employees went hiking, did team building exercises and held a guided meditation session.

Lisa Giragosian, director of the International House, said it was ideal to try a new way of getting away from the office to focus on relaxation and restoration as a group.

“We’re usually stuck at our computers, but putting us in touch with nature was really wonderful,” Giragosian said. “It slows you down, getting out of your element and enjoying meditation right by the Eno River.”

For more information about Outdoor Adventure programming, call (919) 684-0691 or e-mail dukeoutdooradventures@gmail.com.