Students spend a significant portion of the academic year sitting in class, at study desks, in lecture halls. But as the weather warms, students can take advantage of numerous offerings from U-M Recreational Sports to exercise, learn new outdoor skills and get moving. Here are a sample.
Adventure Leadership Trips are a comprehensive resource for experiential education. Adventure Leadership Teams offer participants the ability to explore leadership skills, team building, and the environment through adventure-based events and outdoor recreation. These year-round outdoor educational and recreational opportunities for students, regardless of prior experience, Students can try rock climbing, camping, backpacking, or just enjoying the great outdoors. All trips are open to the public so you could join your student. Upcoming trips include:
- "Introduction to Camping" in early April, where students can learn the basics of camping.
- "What? You’ve Never Been to the Arb?” on April 14 is a day hike through the Nichols Arboretum, where students will explore native and exotic vegetation, masterfully crafted into a naturalistic landscape begun by O. C. Simonds in 1907.
- The Wilderness First Responder course, April 30-May 4. The course is designed to meet the needs of wilderness guides, expedition leaders, and outdoor instructors. Students learn the standards for wilderness medicine training, then complete a course of study and tests before the online practical.
Students can prepare for an adventure by renting equipment including tents, lanterns and canoes.. Blue bike rentals are available for the day, weekend or semester.
Group-X fitness classes have something for everyone, including cycling, core conditioning, strength training, high-intensity interval training, cardio, Zumba, dance-based fitness, fusion, and yoga. Classes take place at the Central Campus Recreation Building and Intramural Sports Building and are available to currently enrolled U-M students and Recreational Sports members.
Small Group Training consists of a trainer and up to six other participants. It provides the best of both worlds for students as they receive individualized attention while enjoying the camaraderie of their peers. Classes include yoga, ballet, and kettlebell conditioning.
Intramural Sports are available to students who want to compete, make friends and have some fun. Students can form teams of their own or join an established group. Students who will be in Ann Arbor over spring and/or summer terms can join an Intramural Sports Team. Registration begins April 25. Teams are forming now and include bocce, 3v3 basketball, 4v4 sand volleyball, soccer, spikeball, tennis, and ultimate frisbee.
Students can also exercise daily at the Central Campus Recreation Building and Intramural Sports Building, including weight training, swimming, indoor tracks and more. Temporary locations at Bursley and Pierpont Commons are also available during renovation of the North Campus Recreation Building.
"There are so many ways students can get involved in when it’s time to take a break from studying," says Sarah Button, assistant director of Marketing, Sponsorship and Academic Partnerships. "Getting involved in exercise classes, planned activities, and even just enjoying a bike ride are great ways to unwind, relax and make new friends."
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