OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Get Fit While Getting in Touch with Nature
By MOLLY MCINTIRE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS A&M REC CENTER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
S
ummertime in Texas is the perfect
time for camping, hiking, and
kayaking. The Outdoor Adventure
Department at the Texas A&M University
Rec Center can help you do all of that
and more. Fondly referred to as Bryan
College Station’s best kept secret by
Jason Kurten, director of Outdoor
Adventures, the Rec has the programs,
equipment, and staff to help students
and families plan summer activities.
Most Rec services are open to anyone,
not just students, factulty, and staff at
Texas A&M. For more information on the
following services and events, and for
updates about upcoming summer trips,
visit recsports.tamu.edu.
First Friday Courteous Mass Ride
gives bike riders a chance to learn about
bike etiquette, laws for bike riders, and
different techniques to help riders of
every level have a more comfortable
and enjoyable ride. Coordinated by
Bike 979 and College of Architecture’s
Student Urban Planning Association,
6
INSITE May/June 2017
The Rec has the
programs, equipment,
and staff to help
local families plan
summer activities
this guided ride begins in College Station
and proceeds to Downtown Bryan. A
free event for anyone in B/CS who is
interested, the ride will take place at
5 p.m. on June 2.
Custom Adventures are also available
to anyone looking to host or plan a special
event. Outdoor Adventures will help
you plan and create custom and private
programs including: renting the climbing
wall for a birthday party or a welcome
event; reserving a private clinic to learn
more climbing techniques; or letting the
Outdoor Adventures staff plan, organize,
lead, and feed your next leadership
retreat. For pricing and scheduling details,
contact Jason Kurten at (979) 862-1999 or
[email protected].
Rent Outdoor Equipment at any time
for your next hike, campout, or daytrip.
Equipment can be rented by the general
public. Outdoor Adventures offers a full
line of camping gear including tents,
sleeping bags, backpacks, cooking sets,
and more. In addition to camping gear,
they rent outdoor sports equipment and
watercraft including canoes, kayaks, and
stand up paddleboards. Any cleaning or
damage incurred will result in a fee. Upon
renting equipment, you will be asked
to sign a contract, and upon return, you
will be asked to check in with Outdoor
Adventures. This will include setting up
and inspecting tents. Equipment prices
can be found online.