This weekend I had the opportunity to visit Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for the Annual Student Lead On Conference sponsored by National Intramural & Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Region IV.  In attendance from MSU Campus Recreation were Ashleigh Lewellen, Asst. Director of Recreational Sports; Samantha Simmons, Asst. Director of Facilities & Operations; Leslie Peebles, Graduate Assistant for Facilities & Operations, and myself, Andrew Nelson, Graduate Assistant for Outdoor Adventures.

It was refreshing to meet others who share our passion for campus recreation and we look forward to bringing what we learn to the Bill R. Foster & Family Recreation Center. 

BearFit Participants

The following is an update of how BearFit passes will work during this transition from holding classes at Plaster Sports complex (PSC) to moving to the Foster Recreation Center (FRC).

Spring 2012: BearFit passes will be the same price as Fall 2011. Unlimited passes are $45 and 15 class passes are $25 for Missouri State University students and employees.

In Spring 2012, when the Recreation Center opens (tentatively at the end of March) Bearfit classes will move into the FRC once it is open and BearFit passes can be used through finals week in Spring 2012 without a FRC Membership. If you do not have a Recreation Center membership yet during the spring semester of 2012, you may enter the Recreation Center during BearFit class times to take a BearFit class. Please bring your MSU ID and BearFit pass. If you do have a recreation center membership, you may access the Recreation Center during any open hours. The Spring BearFit Schedule will reflect the change in locations of the classes during semester. Classes will be offered at the same times whether at PSC or in the FRC.

Summer 2012: Bearfit passes will be offered to both members and non-members who are part of the Missouri State University community (i.e. employees, faculty staff, eligible adult household members, and active alumni).

FRC Member:  If you are a member, you may purchase an unlimited Summer BearFit pass for  $20.

Non-FRC Members. If you are not a member of the FRC, you may purchase a 15 class Summer BearFit pass at $25. If you are interested in trying out a class as a member, one class is $3. If you are interested in trying out a class as a non-member MSU employee, you can purchase a day pass for $5 with a BearFit day pass for $3.

Classes will be offered Monday through Friday at lunch and a few evening classes after 5pm.

Fall 2012: More classes will be offered starting in the Fall of 2012. We plan on having up to 50 classes a week during the fall and spring semesters!

Bearfit passes will be offered to both members and non-members who are part of the Missouri State University community (i.e. employees, faculty staff, adult household members, and active alumni).

FRC Members: If you are a member, you may purchase an unlimited BearFit pass for $30.

Non-FRC Members: If you are not a member of the FRC, you may purchase a 15 class BearFit pass at $40. If you are interested in trying out a class as a member, one class is $3. If you are interested in trying out a class as a non-member MSU employee, you can purchase a day pass for $5 with a BearFit day pass for $3. Each 1^st week of the semester (fall, spring, and summer) is free week.

Registration Information: *Remember, Faculty and Staff can use their non-credit fee waiver for BearFit and Wellness classes. Each 1^st week of the semester (fall, spring, and summer) is free week.

Spring Passes go on sale December 1^st, 2011! Register on www.missouristate.edu/recreation. Remember to use your fee waiver register on My Learning Connection through my.missouristate.edu and complete a fee waiver. We do hope to make this one website in the future!

Halloween may be here already, but there is still time to enjoy autumn.

Come join Outdoor Adventures as we backpack for two days and one night in Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. 12,413 and acres of the most scenic and unique country in the Midwest, with nearly 40 miles of trails. Its combination of open grassland, forested knobs, steep rocky hillsides, and narrow drainages offers unusual beauty and a measure of solitude within easy reach of wilderness lovers. The area is characterized by shallow droughty soils and limestone rock outcroppings. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses.

No experience necessary, all skill levels welcome.  Registration fee includes transportation, trip guides, all necessary equipment (backpack, tent, sleeping bag & pad), all meals, and more.

Date: November 5-6th, 2011

Location: Hercules Glades Wilderness, Missouri

Registration Fee: $60

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 by 5pm.

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting Friday November 4th @ 5pm in the PSU 135

Sender Films and Big UP Productions are bringing audiences a mind-blowing, palm-sweating pump-fest of climbing flicks for the 6th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour. We’ve gathered the wildest climbing stories from around the globe: The legendary race for The Nose speed record; A nine year old bouldering prodigy; Tommy Caldwell’s efforts on the hardest big wall free climb; A crazed high-lining champion; The most insane ice climbing action ever and more. It’s all part of the cinematic tour de force that is REEL ROCK VI.

http://www.reelrocktour.com/

Reel Rock Tour 2011 Trailer

www.missouristate.edu/recreation/OutdoorAdventures.htm

Registration is still open for the Fly Fishing Workshop (9/28, @4pm in the PSU 135) and the Fly Fishing Trip (10/1 @ Roaring River State Park).  Come join Outdoor Adventures for both and learn how to catch trout in Missouri.

Perhaps my favorite thing about living in the Ozarks is autumn; the air is crisp, the trees are on fire, and the temperature ranges to warm sunny days to cozy-cool nights.  If I could choose what heaven was going to look like, it would no doubt look like the Ozarks in mid-to-late October.

Outdoor Adventures programs are also in full swing this time of year, and we’d love for you to join us and enjoy the best that our region has to offer.  Here’s what we have going:

Rock Climbing Trip 2 – Sam’s Throne, Arkansas – September 24th

This trip is already popular and almost filled.  Contact Campus Recreation for more details.  If you can’t make this one, there is always Rock Climbing 3.

Fly Fishing Workshop & Trip – Roaring River State Park – October 1st

The workshop takes place the Wednesday before the trip (9/28).  Come learn the fundamentals of fly-fishing and then test your skills on Saturday, October 1st at Roaring River State Park.  Autumn is rumored to be the best season for fly fishing in Missouri.

Paintball Trip – Paintball Outpost -October 8th

Join Outdoor Adventures as we travel to Springfield’s Paintball Outpost for an afternoon of paintball matches.  This place has two woods courses, a trench warfare field, and some inflatable speed-ball fields.  No matter what your experience, Paintball Outpost serves all abilities.

Rock Climbing Trip 3 – Northwest Arkansas Climbing Destinations – October 13-14

This trip will take place the first two days of fall break.  Participants will spend two days and one night climbing and camping at Sam’s Throne, and visit several other climbing destinations.

Fall Backpacking Trip – Hercules Glades Wilderness – November 4-5

Hercules Glades hosts superb trails, waterfalls, dense forest, and more.  Join Outdoor Adventures as we spend two days and one night hiking enjoying the wilderness.

Participants must register online here.  For more information about these programs and more visit the Outdoor Adventures homepage.

Missouri summers are always hot, and with increased temperature comes increased needs to swim in cool, spring-fed Ozark rivers.  On Saturday, July 30th Outdoor Adventures is proud to announce a Summer Float Trip co-sponsored by Student Activities Council.

We will visit the North Fork of the White River. Students will have their own canoes, life jackets, and paddles, as well as lunch provided by SAC.  Signup begins Monday, July 18th in the Office of Student Engagement.  Students must pay a $5 deposit to ensure a spot on the van and a canoe.

Don’t miss this awesome chance to float and see one of Missouri’s most beautiful rivers.

Questions may be directed to Andrew Nelson, Outdoor Adventures Graduate Assistant at Andrew324@missouristate.edu

Outdoor Adventures has always been a source for recreational, educational, and leadership learning opportunities for Missouri State University students, faculty, and staff.  This summer we have decided to offer a Summer Fly Fishing program on Fridays in July from 11am-12:30pm.  The classes will meet and learn fundamentals of casting, stream life, fly tying, and much more.  Concluding the program will be a dat trip to Roaring River State Park, one of Missouri’s oldest trout hatcheries.

Summer is a great time to begin fly fishing in Missouri as the water gives life to thousands of aquatic insects, which in turn provide food to many hungry fish.  Although heat may keep many anglers inside, morning and evening fishing can turn a ordinary summer day into  a great experience on the water.

Participants will be provided with all necessary equipment and transportation.  If you have any questions feel free to contact Campus Recreation for more details.  The deadline for registration is Friday, July 1st by 5pm.  You can register in the PSU 131 or here.

Summer Fly Fishing Video Preview