Eco-Adventures
Eco-Adventures are at the intersection between outdoor activity and civic engagement. Part outdoor adventure, part community service, these discounted trips offer multiple ways to fill your cup by getting active and giving back to the community. Activities include paddling, climbing, or hiking at locations in need of help, where service could include trail-building, trash clean-up, or even removing graffiti in affected locations. The following are recurring dates for Eco-Adventures each year, one each semester.
- Spring: April 22 - Earth Day
- Summer: June 1 - National Trails Day
- Fall: September 28 - National Public Lands Day
Clinics
In addition to trips, we also offer experiential clinics —minimal lectures, hands-on practice—to help individuals learn individual skills.
- Leave No Trace: Come learn how to recreate responsibly and Leave No Trace so our outdoor spaces remain for years to come. This course is offered year-round, and the subject matter changes with the seasons.
- Slackline: A fun and challenging pastime. Clinics take place at the Chinook Lawn or in the SRC Backyard when the weather allows. Typically offered in the Fall semester.
- Hammocking: Learn how to rig a hammock safely and ethically for leisure or sleep. Typically offered in the Fall semester.
- Shelters: Primitive shelters, tarps, mega-mids, and tents. Typically offered in the Fall semester.
- Primitive Fire: Learn how to start a fire without matches or a lighter. This course is typically offered in the Fall semester after the fire season is over.
- Outdoor Photography: To prepare for the Outdoor Photo Contest, come learn the ins and outs of outdoor photography. Offered every Fall semester.
Do you have an idea for a clinic? Feel free to drop by the Outdoor Recreation Center during open hours and let us know your thoughts or email urec@wsu.edu.
Recurring Special Events
Certain events occur every year, and we are so excited about them that they deserve their own spotlight.
- Outdoor Photography Contest: This event occurs each Fall semester. The 2024 submission window is September 15 - November 15. Winners are displayed in the CUB, and prints are available to collect once the display is finished. More information to come.
- Family Weekend Trips: Day trips typically occur on the Saturday of each Family Weekend and rotate through hiking, paddling, and climbing options. See the trip list for information on the next Family Weekend trip.
- Banff Mountain Film Festival: Each Spring semester, in January, we host a screening of outdoor films that tour the world in the CUB. Join us for popcorn, prizes, and a shared passion for the outdoors. Keep an eye out for upcoming show dates.