By: Aly Covington
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The University of Arkansas offers many experiences and opportunities to its students. While the weather warms up a bit more, outdoor activities have also started.
The Division of Student Affairs for University Recreation has multiple buildings and facilities on campus for students to take advantage of. To get in on some of the inside action, go to the HPER building on campus. The HPER serves as home for classrooms as well as basketball courts and a workout and weight room facility for students, faculty and staff. The HPER is also used to strengthen skills for outdoor activities before fully jumping into the action. A whitewater practice session is offered on March 30th in the HPER pool. Once feeling confident in your abilities, you can get involved in paddling trips coming up as well. Those planning to take part in rock climbing in their own time can also practice at the HPER bouldering or climbing walls. Climbing clinics are also offered.
Some of the activities outside happen on the nine acre sports complex that is located on campus. The artificial turf fields located off of Mitchell Street are where intramural sports and clubs are offered. Sports such as flag football, sand volleyball, soccer and kickball are just a few things you can take part in at the sports complex. Information on how to sign up for intramural sports is on the UREC Member Portal. If the traditional sports on campus didn’t work out for you, 26 student-led clubs are offered through UREC. Bass fishing, men’s and women’s rugby, lacrosse and cycling are a few of the clubs available for University members to join. Assistant Director of UREC Outdoors Katherine Miller explained that those wanting to use any of the fields can just walk in, check in and also rent equipment if needed. A large group is able to reserve a field, but Miller said groups are usually able to just show up and play.
UREC recently opened a new tennis facility off of Martin Luther King Boulevard. This facility holds 12 tennis courts. These tennis courts can also serve as pickleball courts with added lines provided from the tennis facility. Equipment is also available for checkout.
“We do have tennis rackets and balls for students to use on those courts,” said Miller.
Those who own equipment are encouraged to bring it with them. All students and UREC members can use the courts for free. But those looking to take advantage of the amenities can get prices for memberships and information on how to book through the memberships page.
Not only does the University offer activities on campus, off-campus happenings can be found as well. Like stated before, a paddling trip is happening on April 8th off campus. Hiking, backpacking and campfire conversations can take you to the Ozark St. Francis National Forest as well as the Grand Canyon National Park. UREC offers opportunities to travel the country and see one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Climbing clinics, challenges and climb nights are offered now through the end of the semester.
Outdoor biking has also become a hot topic in the Northwest Arkansas area. Biking trips can take those participating to the Hobbs 
State Park, Eureka Springs and the Howler Bike park. If you’re looking for something more local, instructions for a self-guided mural bike tour around Fayetteville are available. UREC has a bike park located behind the tennis facility, which is a five minute bike ride from the HPER. There are also local trails like Mount Kessler and Centennial Park which are both a 10 minute drive from campus.
If all you are missing now is the equipment, UREC has you covered in that area as well. The UREC bike shop in HPER 102 offers bike rentals for those in need. Those in need can rent out a hybrid, hardtail or full-suspension road bikes, said Miller.
With the variety of bikes that UREC offers as rentals, “you can hit any kind of trail in the Northwest Arkansas area,” said Miller.
If you have a bike that just needs some repairing, the bike shop is open for customer bike service as well.
“We can work on your bike from essentially the ground up,” said Miller.
Anyone interested in taking their outdoor adventuring skills a step further are able to participate in special events. UREC is offering a Wilderness First Responder course. This course is offered to further educate those taking multi-day trips, participating in high-risk outdoor activities like rock climbing and whitewater paddling and those wanting to gain a better understanding of wilderness medicine. This course is offered for a fee to students, UREC members and the general public.
There are a variety of things to do outdoors through the university. With the spring season starting in a couple weeks and summer just around the corner, the weather will continue to warm up.
“A lot of people want to be outside when it’s 60, 70 degrees and sunny, as I do too. It’s a great time to be out there,” said Miller.
Students, faculty, staff and the public can all take advantage of different university resources. Miller suggests being prepared beforehand.
“We’ll start to see a large influx of people renting gear, so I encourage you to come and make reservations and get your gear that you need for the weekend,” said Miller.
The university can help out with rentals, reservations and repairs to prepare those interested in getting outside. Whether it’s joining an intramural sport, preparing for a trip by climbing on the indoor rock wall, or diving deeper into the safety precautions involved in whitewater paddling, UREC has something to satisfy a variety of needs.