Outdoor Adventures
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir
Outdoor Adventures at Texas A&M University provides the Texas A&M and B/CS community with access to the outdoors. We offer a wide range of trips and classes, a large selection of outdoor gear to rent, an indoor rock climbing facility, and other resources to get you in touch with the world around you.
Camping Concierge
Camping Concierge is our newest service we are offering to help you get outside. Sign up for either a virtual or an in-person meeting with our staff to help you plan your next outing. Want to know what park to visit? Need to know what to do to get started camping? Don’t know what equipment to choose or where to rent it? Our Outdoor Adventures staff can give you answers to all these questions and more. No question is too small and no adventure is too big. To set up your free concierge session with one of our staff, CLICK HERE.
Outdoor Adventures Skills Videos
Featured Video: Fire Building
Our complete set of skills videos can be found on YouTube!
Outdoor Adventures Info
Contact Us
- outdooradventures@rec.tamu.edu
- OA Rental Center: 979-845-7035
- OA Resource Desk and Climbing Wall: 979-845-4511
- Director:
- Jason Kurten
- jkurten@rec.tamu.edu
- 979-862-1999
- Coordinator:
- Abbey Arends
- aarends@rec.tamu.edu
- 979-845-3093
Join Our Team
If you’re looking for part-time, student employment and love the outdoors, check out our job openings on the employment page.
OA Trips & Programs – Summer 2021
Venture Camps
Welcome Incoming Aggies!
- Venture: Backpacking | July 6 – 9 | Lake Georgetown, TX
- Venture: Paddling | July 13 – 16 | Colorado River, Bastrop, TX
For more information or to sign up, visit venturecamps.tamu.edu.
Camping Concierge
Want to do more in the great outdoors but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, just use our new, free Outdoor Concierge service! Our Outdoor Adventures experts will help you plan your trip, answer questions, provide recommendations for camping and hiking, and much more. No question is too small and no adventure is too big. Look for more information to come soon.
Registration & General Info.
Registration & Payment
Participants may register by online at RecConnect, by phone, mail, fax or by stopping by either of our Outdoor Adventures locations. The Resource desk located adjacent to the Indoor Climbing Facility is available to members. The Outdoor Adventures Rental Center is located near the south entrance to the Student Recreation Center and is open to the public. Hours for the OA Resource Desk and Rental Center can be found here. Activities have enrollment limits and fill up quickly.
Payment*
Outdoor Adventures accepts cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Two price rates are offered: currently-enrolled students and Rec Sports members pay a reduced rate, while non-members and the general public pay the regular rate. Students have multiple options to pay for their trips and large fees. The registration fee can be applied to the student’s fee account, which will then be paid to Student Business Services or can be paid using cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
*Extended Trips’ registration fees can be applied to the student’s fee account, which will then be paid to Student Business Services or we also accept most major credit cards, checks (with driver’s license, state issued identification card, or passport) and cash.
Required Paperwork
Registration will not be accepted unless the following items are completed and turned in at the time of registration:
- Payment In Full
- Participant Waiver
- Participant Information Form
- Health History Form
Skill and Physical Exertion Levels
The majority of Outdoor Adventures activities are offered to beginning-level participants with no prior experience in the activity. If an activity requires prior experience and/or instruction and mastery of basic skills in order to participate, this information will be included in the specific activity description. All Outdoor Adventures activities require a minimum level of physical exertion and fitness. Those activities requiring a higher degree of physical exertion and fitness and/or taking place in remote areas over an extended period of time will be detailed in the specific activity description.
Trip Leaders
Outdoor Adventures staff members come from all walks of life and have traveled locally, regionally, nationally as well as internationally. They have a genuine love for the outdoors, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, varied outdoor experiences, the ability to work with diverse groups of people, and a dedication to continued improvement of outdoor skills. Our trip guides are committed to making every outdoor adventure the best experience possible for each participant.
Custom Programs
Rent Outdoor Equipment
The Rental Center is where you want to come to rent the gear to get you outside and keep you comfortable. We offer a full line of camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and stuff to cook with. In addition, we rent outdoor sports equipment and watercraft including canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Contact us at outdooradventures@rec.tamu.edu or 979-845-7035 if you have any questions.
The Basics
- Equipment can be rented by anyone! Students, staff, faculty and the general public are welcomed.
- Renting equipment from us is much like renting a vehicle. Once you take possession of it, you are responsible for bringing it back clean and in good order.
- Any cleaning or damage incurred will result in a fee being assessed.
- You will be asked to sign a contract to take the equipment out.
- Please allow additional time, when you return your gear, to check it in with us. This will include setting up and inspecting tents.
Prices
- Prices listed are daily rates. One-day rentals are due the next business day. A link to our rates can be found below or by clicking the following link: Rental Price Menu
- Discounts are automatically calculated on extended rentals: 7+ days – 10%, 14+ days – 15%, and 21+ days – 20%.
- All renters are responsible for the full replacement cost of lost or permanently damaged equipment. You can find a link to all the replacement costs by clicking the following link: Rental Equipment Replacement Costs
- Reservations are available and encouraged to guarantee your preferred equipment is available, especially in high-demand periods. The user must pay the total balance of the equipment rental upon reservation.
- Refund Policy –The user must cancel equipment rental at least 48 hours prior to the checkout time or no rental fees paid will be refunded. No credit or refund will be issued for items rented but not used or for early return.
| Camping Gear | Rec Sports Member | Non Rec Member |
| 4 Person Tent | $13.00 | $16.00 |
| 2 Person Tent | $8.00 | $9.75 |
| Backpack Tent | $8.00 | $9.75 |
| Sleeping Bag | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Sleeping Pad – Foam | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| Sleeping Pad – Self Inflating | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Camp Chair | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Internal Frame Backpack | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Travel Pack | $5.00 | $6.00 |
| Camp Kitchen (2 Person) | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Camp Kitchen (4 Person) | $14.00 | $17.00 |
| 1 – Burner Propane Stove* | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| 2 – Burner Propane Stove* | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Propane Grill* | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Lantern (Propane* or Rechargeable Electric) | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Cook Set/Pot Set | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| Water/Beverage Cooler | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| Ice Chest | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| Water Sports | Rec Sports Member | Non Rec Member |
| Tandem Canoe | $18.00 | $22.50 |
| Solo Canoe | $15.00 | $18.50 |
| Tandem Kayak-Sit On Top | $18.00 | $22.50 |
| Solo Kayak-Sit On Top | $15.00 | $18.50 |
| Kayak-Whitewater | $17.00 | $20.50 |
| Surf Board 8’4″ and 9’4″ | $18.00 | $21.75 |
| Stand Up Paddleboard | $20.00 | $24.00 |
| Additional Paddle | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| Additional Lifejacket | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| Rock Climbing | Rec Sports Member | Non Rec Member |
| Climbing Shoes | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Bouldering Pad | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Yard Games and Sports | Rec Sports Member | Non Rec Member |
| Tug O War Rope | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Cricket Set | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Croquet Set | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Disc Golf Set | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Corn Hole Set (regulation size, foldable w/ handles) | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Bocce Ball Set | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Horseshoe Set | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Washers Set | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Kickball Set (1 Kickball, 4 Bases) | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Volleyball Set (Net, poles, ropes, boundary, and ball) | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Volleyball Net | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Softball Set (2 Bats, 2 Balls, 4 Bases, 5 Gloves, Catchers Mask) | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Flag Football Set (14 Flags, 14 Cones, 1 Football) | $6.00 | $7.50 |
| Football Flags (set of 7) | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Sport Jerseys (set of 7) | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| Cones (set of 4) | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Sports Balls (Football/Kickball/Soccer Ball/Softball/Volleyball) | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Softball Glove | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Softball Catcher Mask | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Softball Bat | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Softball Bases Set | $1.00 | $1.25 |
| Frisbee | $0.50 | $0.75 |
| Books and Maps | Free for up to 2 weeks | Free for up to 2 weeks |
Waivers & Forms
Each person who registers for a clinic, trip or event must have a Participant Waiver and Hold Harmless Form completed and filed with Outdoor Adventures. University Students, Faculty, and Staff MUST use Maroon Link to complete online waivers. Maroon Link Waivers Forms are available for non-members at Outdoor Adventures, the climbing wall, or downloaded from the links below. All participants under the age of 18 must have their parent or legal guardian fill out and sign their waivers. No one without a completed waiver will be allowed to participate.
Refund Policies
- Equipment Rental: The user must pay the total balance of the equipment rental upon reservation. The user must cancel equipment at least 48 hours prior to checkout time or no rental fees paid will be refunded. No credit or refund will be issued for items rented but not used or for early return.
- Rain Checks: We do not offer refunds due to weather. For rentals, our policy is to provide a rain check. We will hold the contract for the duration of the current semester. Customers may then redeem their contract on a more agreeable date within the same semester.
- Trips and Clinics: Trip cancellations due to weather or lack of sign ups (trips being cancelled by OA) will be issued a 100% refund. Cancellations made by the customer at least 3 days prior to the trip leaving will receive an 80% refund of the total price. No refund can be made to customers who cancel after this time. All refunds will be issued to the payment type used initially. All checks will be mailed by the Fiscal Department to the address shown on the registration form. A refund may take up to six weeks to process.
Trips & Clinics
General Trip Information
Indoor Climbing Facility
- Click HERE to be redirected to information about the Indoor Climbing Facility and indoor climbing.
- Climbing Wall Group Reservation Request
- Indoor Climbing Facility Rules and Regulations
- For participants affiliated with Texas A&M University and with an active UIN, please use our ONLINE MaroonLink system to complete your waiver: Indoor Climbing Facility Waiver Form
- Indoor Climbing Facility Waiver Form for Minors
Request a private lesson, trip, or program
Private and Semi-private lessons can be done for one or two individuals to learn a variety of skills including paddling, biking, backpacking, or climbing. Each session is 1.5 hours long and scheduled with your assigned instructor. Complete this form to submit your request and our staff will contact you to match you with the best instructor for your request.
- 1 Session (1.5 hours): $18 members; $22 non-members
- 3 Sessions (1.5 hours each): $52 members; $65 non-members
Outdoor Adventures Info
Join Our Team
If you’re looking for part-time, student employment and love the outdoors, check out our job openings on the employment page.
Contact Us
- outdooradventures@rec.tamu.edu
- OA Rental Center: 979-845-7035
- OA Resource Desk and Climbing Wall: 979-845-4511
- Director:
- Jason Kurten
- jkurten@rec.tamu.edu
- 979-862-1999
- Coordinator:
- Abbey Arends
- aarends@rec.tamu.edu
- 979-845-3093