All are welcome to participate in Outdoor Adventures’ second annual Camp on Campus, scheduled from 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, through 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.
While the event offers great opportunities for learning something new, its purpose is to bring community together in the outdoors in an educational, recreational and celebratory manner.
Outdoor Adventures aims to introduce new activities to the community and welcomes participants to spend the night in a tent for the first time.
This can be a fun night for a group of friends or an organization to share memories while meeting other Huskies. Because the event takes place over Fall Family Weekend, and because all Outdoor Adventure programs are open to the public, family and friends of NIU students are also welcome.
The event begins with outdoor skill clinics at the West Lagoon, located near Eco Woods and Stevenson North Residence Hall. If you are looking for an opportunity to ride a mountain bike or paddle a canoe or kayak, simply stop by the West Lagoon.
During the afternoon, Outdoor Adventures’ trip leaders will conduct 30-minute urban adventures.
After 4 p.m., there will be short outdoor skill workshops with partners from across campus, including Environmental Studies, NIU Observatory and Campus Recreation Fitness & Wellness programs.
Slack lining (similar to a low tightrope used to practice balancing and needed for outdoor adventure activities such as rock climbing) and many other outdoor events will be offered for free. There will also be pick-up games of bags, volleyball, ladder golf, Frisbee and other field sports.
A free cookout will be served at 6:30 p.m. and a breakfast will be available for campers.
Later in the evening, plan to relax and enjoy the evening around the bonfire while enjoying s’mores. There will be live and recorded music from the surrounding area such as UnCovered, a band that plays rock songs from the 1960s through the present featuring guitar, piano and cello played by NIU alum Dana Shin.
The Adventure Center is providing free rental of its camping packages, including tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Quantities are limited for the camping equipment. Reservations can be made by contacting Christine Lagattolla, assistant director of Outdoor Adventures, at clagattolla@niu.edu or (815) 753-9422.
