Home
Outdoor Activities
Volunteer with the Outdoor
Program!
Outdoor Career Day
Winter Camping 101
Intro to Cross-Country Skiing
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Camping & Ice
Fishing Weekend
Full Moon Snowshoe
Design Your Own Sled Competition!
Curling 101
Stream Ski Local Rivers
Snowshoe Gooseberry Falls
Tenth
Annual Outdoor Gear Swap
Ice Fishing
Dog Sledding and Wolf Center Tour
Maple Syruping
Fifth Annual Great Camp Stove Cooking Contest
Wild Edibles
Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
Catt’in the Louie...
Rollerblade the Munger Trail
Volunteer With the Outdoor Program!
Ever wondered what it feels like to lead a group along a wooded
trail under the moonlight? Or have you wanted to share your
love of camping, backpacking, or your knack for crafts with
others? Then become a part of the Outdoor Program staff and
develop the skills to become a leader in education through participation
in a fun environment. Meetings focus on developing
skills, having fun, exploring—and sometimes free food! Show
up and you can be involved!
Every Tuesday Starting January 29 5- 6pm
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby (Couches Area)
Cost: Free!
Outdoor Career Day
Need a summer job? Looking for a great internship or employment
after graduation? Interested in learning more about
outdoor and environmental education professions? Join us
at Outdoor Career Day! Representatives from summer camps,
canoe camps, law enforcement, resource management,
government agencies, environmental education centers, and
research biology centers will be on hand to speak with you
about their jobs in the outdoors.
Tuesday, February 5 9am- 2pm
Meet: UMD Kirby Student Center in front of Bookstore
Winter Camping
101
Are Minnesota winters cramping your camping style? Do you
get cold feet just thinking about sleeping outside in sub-zero
temperatures? Then come learn the basics of winter camping
in this exciting indoor/outdoor winter camping clinic. The
first part will include classroom instruction on gear, prep, food,
clothing, route, and risks. For the second part we will travel
outside to the Bagley Nature Area and demonstrate quinzhee
(snow shelter) making and sleeping outside in the winter. This
clinic will cover what you need for a successful winter camping
trip.
Tuesday, February 5 4-7pm
Register By: Noon, February 4
We Provide: Instruction, Shovels, Winter Camping Gear, Hot
Drinks
You Provide: Warm Clothes, Jacket, Snow Pants, Boots, Gloves,
Hat, Mug
Meet: Sports and Health Center Room 119
Cost: $4 UMD Students/ $8 Others
Info Sheet
Intro to Cross-Country Skiing
Never tried cross-country skiing or haven’t been skiing around
Duluth? You are missing out! Not only is cross-country skiing
rated the world’s best aerobic fitness activity, but it’s
enjoyable
too! This program will be offered as a 2-session event, bringing
you to two different free ski trails close to UMD. Session 1 will
teach “Classic” technique and cross-country basics at
the Bagley
Nature Area Trails, while session 2 will introduce you to “skate
skiing” at the Boulder Lake Trails. This is a great time to
learn
what style you prefer and burn some calories while enjoying
winter in Duluth. No experience is necessary, so throw out the
excuses and come try it out for yourself! Don’t have skis?
No
problem, the Rental Center has skis waiting for you to try out!
Session 1: Wednesday, Febuary 13 2- 6pm
Session 2: Wednesday, Febuary 20 2- 6pm
Register By: Noon, Febuary 12
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction
You Provide: Skis and Boots (you receive a 10% discount in
UMD RSOP rental center for this program), Proper Clothing-
Layers, Water, Snack
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost (each session): $5 UMD Students/ $9 Others
Info Sheet
Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Camping & Ice Fishing Weekend
Have you ever experienced the BWCA in winter? Interested in an ice
fishing get-a-way? Maybe you want to go back and experience once
again the beautiful winter in the BWCA. Never brought up a trout
from the icy waters of a lake? Well, here's your chance. Join us
for a weekend of winter camping and ice fishing in Minnesota's premier
wilderness.
Depart February 15, 2pm
Return February 17, 5pm
Register By: 2pm, February 13
We Provide: Transportation, Group Gear, Food, Ice Fishing Gear
You Provide: Bag Supper for Friday Night, Personal Camping Gear,
Backcountry Skis or Snowshoes, Warm Clothes, Personal Fishing Gear
(if you have it), and Minnesota Fishing License
Skill Level: No Experience needed! (Some winter gear is available
for rental)
Cost: $57 UMD Students / $101 Others
Info Sheet
Full Moon Snowshoe
Discover the northland forest in winter at night! The blanket
of snow is covering the land and snowshoes are a great way to
explore the beauty of the area. Join our staff to discover more
about the natural and cultural history of winter and night as we
float on the surface of snow. Quiet forests, wildlife tracks, night
sky, eerie scenery and great people are all a part of this outing.
Thursday, February 21 7- 10pm
Register By: Noon, February 20
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction
You Provide: Warm Clothing, Snowshoes (available at the
Rental Center), Water Bottle, Snack
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $4 UMD Students/ $7 others
Info Sheet
Design Your Own Sled Competition!
Attention all inventors! Do you love to sled in the winter?
We’re taking that traditional winter pastime and giving it
a
twist! Gather your team of 2-5 to compete in this creative and
fun challenge. Sleds will be judged on farthest distance and
creativity. Pick up your pre-approved sled construction materials
list in the RSOP office when you register.
Tuesday, February 26 5- 6:30pm
Register By: Noon, February 26
We Provide: Awards and Judges
You Provide: Homemade Sled
Meet: Bagley Nature Area, Rock Pond
Cost: $2/team
Info Sheet
Curling 101
Did you know both US curling teams that attended the 2006
winter Olympics were from Minnesota? Ever wonder what is up
with this sport? Join us for an afternoon of fun for beginners
at the Duluth Curling Club. You will learn the basics of how to
curl from skilled, certified instructors.
Saturday, March 1, Noon - 3pm
Register by: Noon, Febuary 29
We Provide: All Equipment, Transportation
You Provide: Warm Clothes You Can Move In (fleece works
great) CLEAN Tennis Shoes (carry with you).
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $13 UMD Students/ $20 Others
Info Sheet
Stream Ski Local Rivers
Pack your sense of adventure and explore the frozen waterfalls
and rapids of a Northern Minnesota stream on cross-country
skis. We will introduce frozen river navigation techniques while
we look for tracks in the snow and wolf kill sites. This is a
slightly more challenging outing so basic skills are needed but
you don’t need to be an expert. Come and enjoy the beauty of
the canyons and frozen cascades… it doesn’t get much
better
than this!
Sunday, March 2 12- 5pm
Register By: Noon, February 29
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction, Hot Chocolate
You Provide: Warm Clothing, Skis (Skis Available for Rent at the
Rental Center), Snack
Skill Level: Basic Cross-Country Skiing Skills Needed
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $6 UMD Students / $12 Others
Info Sheet
Snowshoe Gooseberry Falls
Discover the frozen waterfalls of Gooseberry Falls! A blanket of
snow and ice covers our landscape and snowshoe is a great way
to explore the beauty of the area. Join our staff to discover more
about the natural and cultural history of the area and enjoy the
trek floating on the snow’s surface. The quiet forest, wildlife
tracks, frozen waterfalls, spectacular scenery and great people
are all a part of this outing.
Thursday, March 6 3 - 7pm
Register By: Noon, March 5
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction
You Provide: Warm Clothing, Snowshoes (available at the Renal
Center), Bag Supper
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $7 UMD Students/ $10 Others
Info Sheet
Tenth Annual Outdoor Gear Swap:
Out With
The Old and In With The New
GEAR DROP-OFF TIMES:
Friday, March 7 3pm- 7 pm
Saturday, March 8 8am- 9 am
SALE:
Saturday, March 8 9:30am- Noon
Join the UMD Outdoor Educators Club at their 10th Annual
Outdoor Gear Swap/Fundraiser. Bring your outdoor gear to
sell during the drop off times, and/or come to the sale and take
advantage of some great deals! Gear to help people enjoy the
outdoors will be sold by students, community members and
local businesses. 15% of the sale price is taken to promote
outdoor education.
Meet: Sports and Health Center Room 135
Ice Fishing
Whether you have done a lot of ice fishing or are intrigued
enough to try a Northwoods tradition, this day trip is for you!
Join us for a day of fun and fishing, and who knows you might
get that big catch! No experience is required so get out and
enjoy Northern Minnesota ice fishing.
Saturday, March 8 10am- 4pm
Register By: Noon, March 7
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction, Fishing Gear
You Provide: Minnesota Fishing License, Warm Clothes, Bag
Lunch, Fishing Gear (if you have any)
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $6 UMD Students/ $12 Others
Info Sheet
Dog Sledding and Wolf Center Tour
The swoosh of the runner, the bark of the dogs, and the solitude
of the forest await you on this day-long adventure in Ely, MN.
For half the day, you will learn how to harness and hook-up
dogs, as well as learn skills helpful in maneuvering your sled
dog team, then drive the team through the spectacular winter
scenery of Northern Minnesota. Then we will head to the International
Wolf Center and take in the Wolf 101 presentation and
explore all there is to know about wolves and maybe see a few.
Join us for this fun filled winter adventure you will not forget.
Saturday, March 29 8am- 6:30pm
Register By: Noon, March 14
We Provide: Instruction, Transportation
You Provide: Warm Clothing, Bag Lunch, Money for Entrance
Fee at the Wolf Center ($7.50)
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $69 UMD Students/ $95 Others
Info Sheet
Maple Syruping
Join us in UMD’s Bagley Nature Area for our annual maple
sugarbush program. Learn the history of the sugarbush, and
how sap is collected and turned into real maple syrup. You will
tap maples, collect sap and sample the sweet stuff. This is also
a
great time to be in the woods to see spring emerging.
Monday, March 31 4- 6pm
Register By: Noon, March 28
We Provide: Instruction, Maple Syruping Equipment
You Provide: Warm Clothing, Boots
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $3 UMD Students/ $6 Others
Info Sheet
Fifth Annual Great Camp Stove Cooking Contest
Here is your chance to demonstrate your cooking skills and win
prizes! Here’s the recipe: Teams of 1 or 2 cooks will receive
the
same ingredients (basic items typical to a wilderness camping
trip) to transform into a great meal (main course and dessert).
Our panel of outdoor food enthusiasts will taste and judge the
results. After the judges have made their decisions, everyone
gets to eat! No one, other than the event coordinators, will
know the ingredients until the start of the contest. Each team
will provide their own camp stoves (up to 2 burners), cooking
kit, utensils, spices and camp table (optional). Stoves, cook-kits,
utensils and tarps may be available upon request at registration.
Fires will not be allowed due to spring burning ban. Space is
limited to 10 teams, so register early.
Tuesday, April 22 4- 6:30pm
Register By: Noon, April 21
Meet: UMD Bagley Nature Area, Rock Pond Kiosk
Team Cost: $12 UMD Students/ $17 Others
Info Sheet
Wild Edibles
Have you ever been wandering through the woods and gotten a
little hungry, but didn’t have a snack? If so, join us for
a short
hike in Bagley Nature Area highlighting spring’s wild edibles.
You’ll not only learn how to identify these wild edibles, but
plan
on sampling what we find.
Thursday, May 1 3- 5pm
Registration: Noon, April 30
We Provide: Instruction, Some Guidebooks
You Provide: Warm Clothes, Water Bottle, Plate, Cup, Eating
Utensil, Slightly Empty Belly
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $3 UMD Students/ $5 Others
Info Sheet
Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
It’s Spring!!!! Come Check out the beautiful North Shore on
a
scenic trip on the Superior Hiking Trail. This is a great get-away
for anyone seeking a break from a stressful week. If you enjoy
the great outdoors, then join us for an exciting backpacking/
camping weekend.
Friday, May 2 Leave at 3pm
Sunday, May 4 Return at 2pm
Register By: Noon, April 30
We Provide: Group Camping Gear, Food
You Provide: Personal Gear, Clothes
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $58 UMD Students/ $98 Others
Info Sheet
Catt’in the Louie...
Enjoy fishing? Ever fished for catfish? Join us for an exciting
evening of fishing, eating, and enjoying the outdoors on the
banks of the St. Louis River. No fishing experience is needed.
Bring your camera and be ready to catch a big one!
Wednesday, May 7 6:30 -10:30pm
Register By: Noon, May 6
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction, Bait and Tackle, Food,
and Warm Drinks
You Provide: 2008 MN Fishing License, Fishing Pole (if possible),
Warm Clothes, Mug
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $5 UMD Students/ $9 Others
Info Sheet
Rollerblade the Munger Trail
Are you looking for a good place to rollerblade around Duluth?
Leave the busy Lakewalk and join us for a great afternoon on
the smooth, paved Munger Trail. Spring will be in the air!
Remember to bring your camera and some energy for this
spring outing. All skill levels are welcome.
Thursday, May 8 4- 7pm
Register By: Noon, May 7
We Provide: Transportation, Instruction
You Provide: Rollerblades, Water Bottle, Snack
Meet: Sports and Health Center Lobby
Cost: $4 UMD Students/ $8 Others
Info Sheet