Outdoor Recreation

Upcoming Events

Click here to see pictures of the NFL Game Weekend: Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers

Skydiving

Each year in September, fifteen students get the opportunity to skydive. This year we were fortunate enough to host the Skydive Smoky Mountains dive team in Wise. Students were able to see the entire campus from 12,000 feet in the air.

Whitewater Rafting

Students loved the whitewater rafting on the Gauley River in West Virginia so much, it has now become an annual event. More than two dozen students enjoy this trip each fall. Enjoy visiting ACE Adventure Resort as we camp outside the night before. Students are able to experience ACE's man-made lake including, but not limited to, water slide, zip line, inflatables, paddle-boats, beach volleyball, ping-pong, horseback riding, ATVing, paintball course, and many fun-filled activities. Videos and pictures are available for an additional cost of our out-of-this-world trip down the Upper Gauley.

Hikes

Long day hikes are another popular event. Enjoying the natural beauty of our surroundings at local High Knob, Guest River Gorge and it's famous Little Stoney Falls, the Breaks Interstate Park, and the Cumberland Falls of Kentucky provides some great exercise, too.

Hiking and camping gear are available for students to check out in planning their own outdoor experiences.

Camping

Overnight camping excursions are part of the outdoor recreation experience, too.

Students may also borrow equipment (including tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, fishing poles, etc.) for their own camping trips.

Other Trips/Events

Paintball: Students can enjoy this energetic trip as they shoot paintballs upwards of 200mph while avoiding the enemy. Students can enjoy a day long adventure under the direct supervision of trained officials in a "Woods Course" or can try their luck at the always fast-paced "Speedball Course."

Horseback Riding

Canoeing/Kayaking: Enjoy the relaxing water current as it takes you through the heart of the Appalchian Mountains in Asheville, NC down the French Broad River with spectacular views such as wildlife and the ever-popular Biltmore Estate and its properties.

Caving




Special events

Special events are held both on-campus and off-campus. One of the most visible and most popular on-campus events is the portable climbing wall. Other on-campus events include a fishing tournament and 'night under the stars' at the UVa-Wise observatory.

Off-campus events include skydiving, camping, whitewater rafting, hiking, canoeing, paintball battles, amusement park adventures, snow skiing, snow tubing, ice skating and the occasional road trip to watch the Cavs Football or Basketball teams play.

The outdoor recreation program strives to offer a variety of outdoor adventures for students to take advantage of the natural wonders of southwest Virginia and its surrounding area.

For more information about the program, contact Chris Davis, Associate Director of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center or Nick Marshall, Assistant Director of Recreation and Intramurals, at (276) 376-4513.