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At Calvin, the wilderness becomes a powerful classroom.

For over 20 years, Calvin students have had epic adventures together in iconic locations including Costa Rica, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree National Park, Red River Gorge, and the Ontario wilderness. Calvin's Outdoor Recreation programming also explores and learns in its own backyard, enjoying abundant local mountain biking and paddling, the dunes and beach environments of Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, and rivers and trails of the Manistee National Forest.

Adventure Photos

Join Us

Whether you are brand new to adventure or looking to become a skilled wilderness leader, Calvin's Outdoor Recreation program offers abundant opportunities, classes, and programs for you:

• Wilderness Trips for incoming and transfer students
• Sustainability and Outdoor Recreation Living and Learning Community
• State-of-the-art climbing center
• Weekend, fall break, and spring break trips
• Outfitting rental center and bike shop
• Expeditionary field courses
• Outdoor/climbing per skills courses
• Recreation Leadership minor

FALL 2025 WEEKEND TRIPS

Sign up at the Climbing Center (most trips fill 1 week in advance)

September 6-7                MANISTEE RIVER PADDLEBOARD OVERNIGHT - $25

September 12-14            SLEEPING BEAR ROAD CYCLE - $35

September 20-21           PINE RIVER PADDLE - $35

September 27                 LIFE AND CAREER STUDIES PERE MARQUETTE CANOE - $25

September 27-28           MANISTEE BACKPACK - $25

October 4-5                    OUTDOOR MINISTRY WEEKEND - $25

October 11-12                   DRAGON MOUNTAIN BIKE- $25

Oct. 17-21                          PICTURED ROCKS FALL BREAK BACKPACK - $100

November 7-9                CAVING ADVENTURE - $35

Contact Johnny Bolema (jdb98@calvin.edu) for more information.

FALL 2025

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Monday and Thursday 4–5 p.m. north side of Tennis and Track Building.  Our Outdoor Rental Center and Outfitting Center opens September 1 - October 30. Contact Aaron Wildschut at afw4@calvin.edu for more information.

To rent equipment please complete the form at this link:

BIKE MAINTENANCE

Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4–5 p.m. Come and get mentoring with bike maintenance. Our bike shop is open September 2 - October 29. Contact Jack Klop jdk57@calvin.edu for more information. 

WEEKLY MOUNTAIN BIKING

Beginning after spring break, Calvin Outdoor Recreation offers weekly mountain biking on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. Meet at the Outfitting Center at 4:45 p.m. Weekend trips to the Dragon and Merrill Trails TBD. Contact Jack Klop jdk57@calvin.edu for more information.

POOL KAYAKING

Mondays 7:30–9 p.m. Sign up at the Climbing Center Desk for a 4-week class. Contact Joel VanHekken jev65@calvin.edu for more information.

OUTDOOR REC BIBLE STUDY  

September 17 - December 10, Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Outdoor Recreation Bible Study will meet in HC 121 (The Recreation Community Space). The semester will kick off with a community wood fire pizza night on September 10 at 6 p.m. There will be a weekend outdoor retreat October 4-5. The semester will conclude with a Chili Cookoff on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Luke Coffel ljc25@calvin.edu

ADVENTURE GRANT SPRING BREAK TRIPS

Put together a group of 5-10 Calvin students and have Outdoor Programs help you design and execute your own trip. Adventure Grants are awarded to students planning backpacking and other related wilderness-based spring break trips. For more info contact Josh Van Berkel jwv33@calvin.edu

SUPPORT RECREATION AT CALVIN

Donate to support Calvin Outdoor Recreation and Campus Recreation Programs.