Outdoor Adventures
UWF's Outdoor Adventures (OA) offers trips, clinics, disc golf, rock climbing, rental equipment, and all things outdoor (and some indoor) to get you motivated, help you relax, or help you make time to hang out with friends.
Trips and Events
Get away with OA. Every semester features new trips and events that take you outdoors. See the full schedule and sign up using the IMLeagues App.
Visit the Climbing Center
- 36-foot-high climbing wall
- NEW Boulder Lounge
- Reach Your Peak Incentive Program
- Training and Certifications
Talk to our climbing center staff if you're interested in the incentive program or certifications.
Explore UWF Trails
The Edward Ball Nature Trail is a foot-traffic-only half-mile boardwalk that meanders through Thompson Bayou over a hardwood swamp that is home to mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. Explore more trails, including bike-friendly trails, on our trails page.
Play Disc Golf
- 21-hole disc golf course
- Three difficulty levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
If you need a disc to play, you can rent one from us for free. Bring your valid Nautilus Card or membership number to the Rec Center, Building 72, at the downstairs Service Desk and tell the staff what kind of equipment you would like to check out.
Rent OA Equipment
We have free and fee-to-rent equipment available for check-out. Bring your valid Nautilus Card or membership number to the Rec Center, Building 72, at the downstairs Service Desk and tell the staff what kind of equipment you would like to check out.
Climb at the Climbing Center
The Climbing Center projects into the second floor with its 36-foot-high climbing wall. With 1,500 square feet of climbing space, eight top ropes and bouldering-only space, our center accommodates all abilities and experience levels. Routes and problems are changed regularly to provide new and exciting challenges for climbers.
The Boulder Lounge
Now Open!
Our new Boulder Lounge is the perfect space for training hard or just having fun! The space will be accessible during regular REC Center hours, Monday-Sunday, unless a special event closes the space. Be sure to check out some climbing shoes with the Rec Center staff and give the Boulder Lounge a try!
Tension Board 2
The Boulder Lounge has the newest board from Tension Climbing, the Tension Board 2. The Tension Board 2 is a training board with a massive variety of boulder problems. Each hold can be illuminated to display a problem of your choice all from the apps control.
Tread Wall
The tread wall is like a vertical treadmill, allowing you to climb for extended amounts of time without a rope.
Slab Wall and Peg Board
Our slab wall is 0° vertical and will host a variety of problems created by our route setters. A great way to train balance and technique. The peg board can be used to train strength and endurance. It is a great way to focus lock-off strength and isolated movement.
Climbing Center Clinics and Certifications
Each clinic is a one-hour course designed to teach the necessary safety skills for top-rope climbing. Upon successful completion of this clinic, participants will be able to properly put on a harness, tie into the rope and belay a partner.
Participants should bring a partner if possible, although partners can be found in the course.
Clinics are offered during open climb for open climb dates and times.
It takes two people to top rope climb: the climber and the belayer. It’s the belayer’s responsibility to control the tension on the rope so that when the climber falls, or is ready to come down, there’s only a short drop.
Come to the Climbing Center during normal hours of operation to start your certification process. Top rope belay certification is free to all UWF students and is awarded after successful completion of the following:
- 15-minute introductory top rope climbing lesson with a staff belayer
- One-hour Top Rope Climbing Clinic
- 30-minute belay assessment administered by the Climbing Center student staff
Beginner top rope belay status achieved! - Over the course of three days, participants will belay Climbing Center climbers with a staff belay check and backup belayer to solidify their skills. The days do not have to be consecutive and it’s up to the person seeking certification to determine what days and times they want to come in to complete these skill checks.
Top rope belay certification complete!
Maintain your certification by re-completing the 15-minute belay test annually.
Outdoor Adventure Passport Incentive Program
Find your Happy Place. Outdoor Adventures invites you to take a trip outside and explore the world around you. We offer an incentive program for participants to explore the natural beauty of the UWF campus and surrounding Nature Preserves and State Parks system.
- 5 locations = OA Merchandise (options vary)
- 10 Locations = OA Camp Mug
*Limited number of prizes*
How to Participate
Please email us at outdooradventure@uwf.edu with a picture(s) of your experience at any of the listed locations below or a destination all your own. As long as you are outside in nature and having a great time, it will count toward reaching your goal of 10 outdoor locations by the end of the semester.
Happy Exploring!
| On-Campus Locations | Off-Campus Locations |
|---|---|
| Camellia Garden | |
| Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida |
