A Look Into the UMD Adventure Program
By Tara Goldstein
October 10, 2022
Image Credit: UMD Division of Student Affairs
Many students are unaware of the Adventure Program at the University of Maryland and the variety of services offered to students.
The program is focused on empowering students through various transformative environmental experiences, according to the coordinator of adventure trips and the challenge course, Meghan Loughry.
The program offers a variety of services including the climbing wall, rental desk, bike shops, challenge course and adventure trips. They are all considered entry level and are the perfect option for beginners just looking to get outside.
“We want people to leave all of our services, or any of our programs, and feel empowered to do it themselves the next time around,” Loughry explained.
One of the main services that the program is known for is the climbing wall, a 55-foot tall freestanding wall located outside of Eppley Recreation Center. There is also the bouldering grotto which is a longer, but much shorter wall that students climb horizontally rather than vertically. Both are popular places for students who are just looking to get active outside.
Sophomore journalism major Jonas Evans is a perfect example. He decided to go check it out last year just to get moving a little bit and he ended up really enjoying the experience, describing it as an inclusive and supportive environment.
“I didn’t have a lot of rock climbing experience before I got there,” Evans said. “It was very inclusive, very easy. All the people involved helped me out a lot.”
The adventure trips that the program hosts are extremely popular, with this year's Fall 2022 trips selling out in under 1 minute of being released, according to Loughry. There are usually two day trips and one overnight trip every weekend, which are created for beginners who are just looking to get away from campus.
The types of trips offered include things like whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. While all of the fall trips are full, the sign-ups for the spring open on the first day of the semester. The official spring calendar hasn’t come out, but the fall one gives you a good idea of the type of trips to expect.
The trips aren’t free but registration fees include transportation, equipment rental, camping and park entrance fees, and trained trip leader’s guidance, according to the Adventure Program website. The prices range from around $30 to $80, but there’s no need to worry if these prices seem unmanageable. The program has an enrichment access fund that is fully supported by donations at Maryland Giving Day. It is need based and offers levels of support from 50% to full cover.
The bike shop, located in the Jones-Hill House, is also run by the Adventure Program. The shop does offer repairs, but unlike any normal shop they actually teach students how to make the adjustments as well, so that if the issue occurs again they have the knowledge to fix it themselves.
The program also has a rental desk open to all students that rents out outdoor equipment to students such as tents and sleeping bags. While there is a fee, the usually expensive equipment is heavily discounted.
The adventure trips that the program hosts are also very popular, with this year's Fall 2022 trips selling out in under 1 minute of being released, according to Loughry. There are usually two day trips and one overnight trip every weekend, which are created for beginners who are just looking to get away from campus.
While all of the fall trips are full, the sign-ups for the spring open on the first day of the semester. The official spring calendar hasn’t come out, but the fall one gives you a good idea of the type of trips to expect.
The trips aren’t free but registration fees include transportation, equipment rental, camping and park entrance fees, and trained trip leader’s guidance, according to the Adventure Program website. The prices range from around $30 to $80, but there’s no need to worry if these prices seem unmanageable. The program has an enrichment access fund that is fully supported by donations at Maryland Giving Day. It is need based and offers levels of support from 50% to full cover.
Finally, the Adventure Program runs the Challenge Course, also located in the back of Eppley. While it is not fully open to students like the climbing wall, there are open-enrollment slots posted online that students can sign up for to take advantage of the course. The course is mainly used by various organizations and groups for team building exercises.
The Adventure Program offers many incredible services that provide inexperienced students the perfect opportunity to learn more about the outdoors, but one of the most unique aspects of the program is their staff members.
“It’s the student staff that’s really trying to make recreation more accessible for the whole campus community,” Loughry said.
The staff members work together to create a supportive environment where students who are trying something new for the first time can feel comfortable and welcomed. The program instills the mission of empowerment into all of their staff members.
The Challenge Course student Program Assistant, Mia Sherwood, only has good things to say about the program. She has worked there for seven semesters and said that she has gained valuable leadership experience.
“I really enjoy working here because it's such a fun environment full of people who love the outdoors and we always have a good time,” Sherwood said. “What started with me needing money has turned into an experience I cherish and wouldn't trade for anything.”
The program is always hiring and is always looking for new ways to get involved with professional development, according to both Loughry and Sherwood.
As for the future of the program, there are a few projects in the works. Loughry is hoping to continue to build out their resources so they can offer more trips for students.
They are looking into the possibility of planning an orientation trip for all the incoming freshmen and also bringing back international trips that students can earn credit for.
The program is focused on empowering students through various transformative environmental experiences, according to the coordinator of adventure trips and the challenge course, Meghan Loughry.
The program offers a variety of services including the climbing wall, rental desk, bike shops, challenge course and adventure trips. They are all considered entry level and are the perfect option for beginners just looking to get outside.
“We want people to leave all of our services, or any of our programs, and feel empowered to do it themselves the next time around,” Loughry explained.
One of the main services that the program is known for is the climbing wall, a 55-foot tall freestanding wall located outside of Eppley Recreation Center. There is also the bouldering grotto which is a longer, but much shorter wall that students climb horizontally rather than vertically. Both are popular places for students who are just looking to get active outside.
Sophomore journalism major Jonas Evans is a perfect example. He decided to go check it out last year just to get moving a little bit and he ended up really enjoying the experience, describing it as an inclusive and supportive environment.
“I didn’t have a lot of rock climbing experience before I got there,” Evans said. “It was very inclusive, very easy. All the people involved helped me out a lot.”
The adventure trips that the program hosts are extremely popular, with this year's Fall 2022 trips selling out in under 1 minute of being released, according to Loughry. There are usually two day trips and one overnight trip every weekend, which are created for beginners who are just looking to get away from campus.
The types of trips offered include things like whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. While all of the fall trips are full, the sign-ups for the spring open on the first day of the semester. The official spring calendar hasn’t come out, but the fall one gives you a good idea of the type of trips to expect.
The trips aren’t free but registration fees include transportation, equipment rental, camping and park entrance fees, and trained trip leader’s guidance, according to the Adventure Program website. The prices range from around $30 to $80, but there’s no need to worry if these prices seem unmanageable. The program has an enrichment access fund that is fully supported by donations at Maryland Giving Day. It is need based and offers levels of support from 50% to full cover.
The bike shop, located in the Jones-Hill House, is also run by the Adventure Program. The shop does offer repairs, but unlike any normal shop they actually teach students how to make the adjustments as well, so that if the issue occurs again they have the knowledge to fix it themselves.
The program also has a rental desk open to all students that rents out outdoor equipment to students such as tents and sleeping bags. While there is a fee, the usually expensive equipment is heavily discounted.
The adventure trips that the program hosts are also very popular, with this year's Fall 2022 trips selling out in under 1 minute of being released, according to Loughry. There are usually two day trips and one overnight trip every weekend, which are created for beginners who are just looking to get away from campus.
While all of the fall trips are full, the sign-ups for the spring open on the first day of the semester. The official spring calendar hasn’t come out, but the fall one gives you a good idea of the type of trips to expect.
The trips aren’t free but registration fees include transportation, equipment rental, camping and park entrance fees, and trained trip leader’s guidance, according to the Adventure Program website. The prices range from around $30 to $80, but there’s no need to worry if these prices seem unmanageable. The program has an enrichment access fund that is fully supported by donations at Maryland Giving Day. It is need based and offers levels of support from 50% to full cover.
Finally, the Adventure Program runs the Challenge Course, also located in the back of Eppley. While it is not fully open to students like the climbing wall, there are open-enrollment slots posted online that students can sign up for to take advantage of the course. The course is mainly used by various organizations and groups for team building exercises.
The Adventure Program offers many incredible services that provide inexperienced students the perfect opportunity to learn more about the outdoors, but one of the most unique aspects of the program is their staff members.
“It’s the student staff that’s really trying to make recreation more accessible for the whole campus community,” Loughry said.
The staff members work together to create a supportive environment where students who are trying something new for the first time can feel comfortable and welcomed. The program instills the mission of empowerment into all of their staff members.
The Challenge Course student Program Assistant, Mia Sherwood, only has good things to say about the program. She has worked there for seven semesters and said that she has gained valuable leadership experience.
“I really enjoy working here because it's such a fun environment full of people who love the outdoors and we always have a good time,” Sherwood said. “What started with me needing money has turned into an experience I cherish and wouldn't trade for anything.”
The program is always hiring and is always looking for new ways to get involved with professional development, according to both Loughry and Sherwood.
As for the future of the program, there are a few projects in the works. Loughry is hoping to continue to build out their resources so they can offer more trips for students.
They are looking into the possibility of planning an orientation trip for all the incoming freshmen and also bringing back international trips that students can earn credit for.