Don鈥檛 have any spring break plans? The Rec Center has you covered.
Six tips for the perfect spring break adventure
1. Location, Location, Location: The first step for any adventure is figuring out where you鈥檒l be going in the first place.听There are so many great outdoor adventure destinations within Colorado alone, and many of them are within a day鈥檚 trip from Boulder. 鈥淥ne of the reasons I love the Front Range is the close proximity to great adventure spots for pretty much every activity you can think of,听said听Levi Dexel, assistant director of The Rec Center鈥檚 Outdoor Program. A great resource for finding adventures nearby is the , which听highlights the best that Colorado has to offer, and includes adventures for all experience levels.
2. Logistics Matter: So you鈥檝e picked a location, but what will you do while you鈥檙e there? Do you want to hike? Camp? Visit a lake and go swimming? Maybe even venture into the mountains and see the snow? What about lodging, food and equipment? It can feel a little overwhelming being faced with so many choices, but don鈥檛 worry- the Adventure Planning Center is available to answer all your trip planning questions and assist with logistics, menu planning, map printing听and more. Just stop by during drop in hours- the APC is right next to the climbing gym in The Rec. If you want to plan on your own, make sure you have reliable maps and navigation tools- including Google Earth and other apps- and be aware of things like regulations, entry fees听and permit restrictions. It would be a huge bummer to get to your destination only to find out that there are no camping spaces available because they booked up in advance.
3. Your One Stop Equipment Shop: Once you have your goals in mind, it鈥檚 important to make sure you have all the equipment you need. Need a tent? How about a pair of snowshoes? Or an outdoor stove? The has you covered for just about everything you need for a successful trip听- at prices that won't break the bank. If the rental center doesn鈥檛 have it in stock, they can point you in the direction of where else to look.
4. Have a Plan B鈥� And a Plan C: Mother nature doesn鈥檛 always play nice. Always make sure and build some time into your schedule for potential weather mishaps and have a contingency plan in the event that the weather just isn鈥檛 working out, or you have other issues with things like travel. Having a few backup plans will ensure that you鈥檙e able to have a great time no matter what happens.
5. Join an Extended Break Trip: If you want to spend the first half of your break making new friends while exploring the great outdoors on a trip that鈥檚 already been planned for you, consider joining one of the Outdoor Program鈥檚 ! 鈥淭wo great trips are being offered through the Outdoor Program. There is听a Moab trip that will include backpacking, hiking and climbing, as well as a yurt trip where we will be staying in a yurt and snowshoeing and backcountry skiing in State Forest State Park鈥� explains Lela Puckett, Trips and Clinics Student Manager. All necessary equipment is provided for both of these trips, and trips are led by experienced Outdoor Program instructors.
6. Consider a Staycation- Who says you have to travel to have a great break? If you鈥檙e staying around Boulder during spring break, be sure to check out all the fun happening at The Rec Center鈥檚 Staycation.There will be free fitness classes, skate rentals, and climbing during the whole week of break. Learn to play tennis in BLAST tennis bootcamp- with skills, drills, conditioning and fun. Additionally, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to join the Outdoor Program and Fitness & Wellness on a relaxing Get Away Day- hiking into the mountains for a yoga and meditation session before enjoying lunch and hiking back. Interested? Learn more about Staycation.
However you end up spending your spring break, be sure to take tons of pictures and share them with The Rec using #ActiveBuffs!听
