USU Eastern Expanding Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation

PRICE, Utah — In the last year, Utah State University Eastern Campus Recreation has been expanding its outdoor recreation and activity classes.

"We are proud to play a part in getting people outside and engaging in some of the most beautiful and geographically diverse areas of Utah,” said Doug Miller, associate vice president for USU Eastern. “Where else can you experience raptors and rapids from a single USU campus?”

Students, faculty and staff have opportunities to rent items such as bicycles, camping gear and yard games, as well as participating in activities such as skiing, sledding, rope courses, mountain biking, scuba diving and more.

“There has been a notable increase in the emphasis on outdoor recreation and expansion at the USU Eastern campus for several reasons,” said Eric Curwen, director of campus life. “These include overall community building, health and fitness trends, student wellbeing, our local appeal, academic enrichment and the overall contribution to a positive campus culture.”

USU Eastern has added recreation classes in:

• Mountain biking.
• Road cycling.
• Water aerobics.
• Scuba diving.

This is in addition to club sports, equipment rentals and outdoor adventure opportunities.

“There's a growing awareness of the positive impact outdoor activities have on students’ physical and mental wellbeing,” Curwen said. “Engaging in outdoor recreation provides an opportunity for stress relief, promotes a healthy lifestyle, and enhances overall student wellness.”

USU Eastern hopes to give students every opportunity to enjoy their collegiate experience. With its location near several national parks and recreation venues, USU Eastern Campus Recreation looks to offer students chances to fully enjoy their surroundings.

“The geographic location of USU Eastern provides unique outdoor opportunities such as hiking, biking, and skiing,” Curwen said. “Capitalizing on the local environment makes outdoor recreation a natural fit for our campus. Outdoor education can enhance students' problem-solving skills, teamwork and leadership abilities, contributing to their academic and personal growth.”

Classes are open for registration and equipment rentals are open to all students, faculty and staff. For more information on how to get involved in outdoor recreation at USU Eastern, visit eastern.usu.edu/student-life/campus-rec.