Outdoor Recreation
SEPT. 6 聽(Sat)
HIKE & SPLASH
Cummins Falls AND Burgess Falls State Parks, TN
Cost: $24
Sign-up by: 聽Fri, Aug. 29 // 聽Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Sept. 2 at 5 pm
Cummins Falls State Park is the newest in Tennessee-聙聶s great State Park system. 聽 We will hike through the woods and along and in a creek bed ending at an incredible waterfall! 聽 Burgess Falls State Park is less than an hour from Cummins Falls and it has 3 large waterfalls on a 1.5 mile hike. 聽 The final fall is the tallest, and the hike to the bottom is rewarded by a chance to get wet! 聽 We will hike less than 7 miles total. 聽 The pools may not be deep enough for swimming, but you will get cooled off. Estimated trip duration: 8 am -聙聯 6 pm.
SEPT. 13 聽 (Sat)
TRAIL BUILDING
Bells Bend Park, Nashville, TN
Cost: FREE!
Sign-up by: 聽Fri, Sept. 5 // 聽Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Sept. 9 at 5 pm
Bells Bend Park is a relatively new park in Nashville that is being developed as a more natural park, rather than a -聙聹ball field park-聙聺. This time we will help build a new mountain biking trail in the park. Experienced trail volunteers and equipment will be provided to help us. Lunch is also provided, and hiking afterward is an option. (Note: this is during the VU Family Weekend.) Estimated trip duration: 8 am -聙聯 3 pm.
SEPT. 14 (Sun)
RIVER CLEAN-UP: via CANOEING
Harpeth River, TN
Cost: FREE!
Sign-up by: 聽Fri, Sept. 5 // 聽Pre-Trip Meeting: Tue, Sept. 9 at 6 pm
We have cleaned this river before, so maybe it will show! This will be a 5-mile canoe trip, except the emphasis will be on picking up the trash from the Harpeth River. Equipment, transportation, clean-up supplies, and lunch are provided. Beginners are welcome. (Note: this is during the VU Family Weekend.) Estimated trip duration: 8 am -聙聯 5 pm.
COMING SUMMER 2015:
June 27 -聙聯 July 11
Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, and Whitewater Rafting in ALASKA!!
Cost: 聽 $1,695.00 plus your round trip airfare to Anchorage, AK
Sign up BEGINS: 聽 at 3:00 pm on Wed. Aug. 20 at the ORC
Sign up by: Friday, Sept. 19. // 聽Pre-Trip Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 pm.
In the summer of 2015, a trip coordinator from the Outdoor Recreation Program and Linda Rosenkranz, Director of Outdoor Rec., will set out with a crew of 8-10 participants to the great wilderness of Alaska. 聽 Our plan will be, over the course of 16 days, to immerse ourselves in the wilderness (via backpacking) as well as the unique cultural and ecological heritage of the state. 聽 We will meet in Anchorage and then drive down to Seward on the following day and camp. 聽 Next we will begin a 4-day backpacking trip to Lost Lake which is surrounded by mountains in the beautiful Kenai Peninsula. 聽 Following this we will lodge in Anchorage for two nights and go whitewater rafting (class IV) on the incredible Sixmile Creek in the Chugach National Forest. 聽 The thrills and the scenery will both be memorable! 聽 Next we will drive north to Denali State Park and begin a 4-day backpacking trip on K-聙聶esugi Ridge. 聽 This hike will provide us with some incredible views of the south face of Denali and the Alaskan Range. 聽 We will end our trip with some camping and hiking in Denali National Park. 聽 We plan to take the park bus on the 85 mile journey to Wonder Lake. 聽 This is the closest campground to Mount McKinley, aka Denali. 聽 The bus ride can be fascinating as the driver will stop whenever he/she sees any wildlife up close, such as grizzly bear, elk, moose, and Dall sheep. 聽 We will camp two nights at Wonder Lake, giving us ample time to explore the surrounding area. 聽 The final night will be spent in a cabin or hotel before going to the airport in Anchorage. 聽 This trip offers a mix, and through balancing our backcountry time with a dose of front country decadence, we hope to offer a well-rounded experience.
Designed for the experienced backpacker, we will allow enthusiastic beginners on this trip. 聽 Expect to hike 6-10 miles a day, sometimes with significant elevation change. 聽Everyone who goes must be in good physical shape by the time we leave.
Cost includes: van transportation, hotel / house / cabin for 4 nights, front country camping for 4 nights, whitewater rafting fees, food for whole trip minus 6 dinners and a few lunches, group equipment, bus fees, park fees, etc.
Registration for this trip begins at 3:00 pm on Wed. August 20th. You must bring $300 cash, check or credit card to the ORC. Space is limited to the first 10 people and this is a first come first served trip. 聽 DO NOT miss out on this amazing opportunity!
To sign up for a trip, come to the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), located on 2600 Children-聙聶s Way, kind of behind the Student 聽Rec. Center, and pay a deposit or the full amount of the trip. 聽 聽 The ORC accepts cash, check, and the Vanderbilt Commodore Card. 聽 For more info on trips, workshops, and equipment rentals, check out the web at 聽.
Outdoor Recreation Hours:
Mon and Fri 12 noon -聙聯 6 p.m.
Tue, Wed, and Thu 3 p.m. -聙聯 6 p.m.