Ohio University

Outdoor Pursuits is the adventure recreation department of the Division of Student Affairs. Our mission is to provide students, faculty, staff and the community with opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation, leadership development, experiential learning, and environmental awareness. Spending time in the outdoors experiencing new places and people has been an important part of peoples' lives for many years, and continues to help us find balance in the often stressful and overloaded times that we live in. Joining organized outdoor recreation activities with Outdoor Pursuits is a great way to travel, meet new people, get a break from studies, or even discover a new career path.

Outdoor Pursuits provides a variety of options throughout the year for outdoor adventure in southeast Ohio as well as places like West Virginia, Kentucky, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Our Trips & Clinics program, New Adventures program for incoming freshman, equipment Rental and Sales, the Challenge Program, and Climbing Wall offer a chance to get involved at the level that fits your interests and abilities.

Enjoy browsing our site and don't hesitate to contact us for questions about our program. Also, be sure to check out our employment opportunities if you think you would like to join our team!

Dan Vorisek
Director of Outdoor Pursuits
 

New Adventures Registration Is OPEN!

New Adventures is Ohio University's adventure orientation program for first year students. Coming to college can be a daunting experience filled with uncertainty, excitement, and new challenges. Participating in an outdoor orientation program helps you to develop leadership skills, see amazing places, and form lasting friendships that make your transition into college smooth and enjoyable. You also get to know about college life from upperclassmen before classes even start, and can even earn credits before the first day of class. Here are some comments from a few of our New Adventures Alumni...

"College is a once in a lifetime experience, and I want to make the most of it; New Adventures helped me realize that goal as before I even moved in, and I know it is something I will never have any regrets about."

"Already having a big social network before I even got to my first class made it a lot easier transition to living on my own."

"I would highly recommend this trip to any incoming freshman because it is truly 'a trip you will never forget'. " 

NEW! For Bobcat Student Orientation 2013
THE BOBCAT ADVENTURE DASH

What do you get when you combine geo-caching, the Amazing Race and the Davinci Code? Bobcat Adventure Dash, a one-of-a-kind OHIO adventure! Using GPS and your problem-solving savvy, set off with your fellow Bobcats in teams across the campus and city of Athens to hunt down local merchants, campus landmarks, student service buildings, and encounter challenges to overcome along the way. With the help of your Dash guide, you will discover what you need to know about your new OHIO home and get to know your fellow Bobcats in more ways than one.

WHEN? -    1:30 PM – 3:30 PM for Day Two students on
                 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

WHERE? -  Meets in front of Ping Recreation Center at 1:30PM, rain or shine!

HOW? -      Registration is $8/ person in advance on-line, or sign up at Day One
                  check-in. No walk-ins, please.

                  REGISTER HERE

The Outdoor Pursuits Service Center

Take care of all of your outdoor recreation needs at one place! The Outdoor Pursuits Service Center is where you can rent equipment, buy gear, sign up for trips & clinics, or hang out to climb on our indoor rock wall. The Service Center desk is located next to the climbing wall in the lobby of the Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center.