"The mountains are calling and I must go!"
Interested in getting outdoors? The Outdoor Adventure Program at Old Dominion University offers quality outdoor adventure experiences including surfing, backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and more. Trips are available to ODU students and Faculty & Staff SRC members. No experience is required. Let us take you outdoors on an adventure that you will never forget!
Questions?
For questions about any of our outdoor adventure trips or programs, please contact us at recwell@odu.edu.
Schedule
How to Register for a Trip
- Click on the trip you are interested in to go to the calendar event
- Click on the "RSVP" or "Register" button to go to the Rec Well Portal.
- Click the "register" button to sign into the Rec Well Portal and sign up for the event. Payments are also made in the Rec Well Portal.
Refund Policy: Recreation & Wellness does not issue refunds unless for cancelled events/programs or extenuating circumstances approved by the department.
First Ascent
First Ascent is a unique orientation program for students coming to Old Dominion University each Fall. This outdoor adventure-based orientation introduces new students to fellow peers and helps ease their transition into college life, while having fun in the outdoors. This experience will help establish the foundation for building meaningful relationships within the ODU community.
No previous experience is required for any of the adventures. Our trained Outdoor Adventure Program staff will lead each adventure group through its designed itinerary!
All trips include: round trip transportation to and from the destination, all outdoor equipment and food. Dietary restrictions will be taken into consideration when planning the menu.
- Fall 2025 trip information coming soon!
Registration Instructions
The Rec Well Portal is our program registration website. Students should sign in to the Rec Well Portal with their MIDAS information. As a new student, you may not have MIDAS credentials yet. If that is that case, please follow the instructions below to create a local account to sign up for First Ascent.
- Visit the Rec Well Portal
- Click "Sign In"
- Click "Sign Up"
- Enter "First Name" & "Last Name"
- Enter email address & set your password
- A box will appear, select "Complete Account"
- Enter your Personal Information (i.e., Date of Birth, Gender, Phone Number, Address, etc...)
Once your local account is created or your are signed in via your MIDAS ID, sign up for the First Ascent program:
- From the home page, click "Outdoor Adventure"
- Click "First Ascent"
- Click "Register" on the trip of your choice
- Select Family Member (your name/account)
- Read Waiver and Click "Accept Now"
- Review and Answer the Questions (Incoming Student, UIN & Email, Health Insurance Information & Dietary Restrictions)
- Click "Add to Cart"
- Click "Checkout"
- Click "Add New Card"
- Enter your payment information
- Click "Continue"
- Submit Payment
Please email us at recwell@odu.edu if you have any questions or issues registering.
How to Register for a Trip
- Click on the trip you are interested in to go to the calendar event
- Click on the "RSVP" or "Register" button to go to the Rec Well Portal.
- Click the "register" button to sign into the Rec Well Portal and sign up for the event. Payments are also made in the Rec Well Portal.
Refund Policy: Recreation & Wellness does not issue refunds unless for cancelled events/programs or extenuating circumstances approved by the department.
First Ascent
First Ascent is a unique orientation program for students coming to Old Dominion University each Fall. This outdoor adventure-based orientation introduces new students to fellow peers and helps ease their transition into college life, while having fun in the outdoors. This experience will help establish the foundation for building meaningful relationships within the ODU community.
No previous experience is required for any of the adventures. Our trained Outdoor Adventure Program staff will lead each adventure group through its designed itinerary!
All trips include: round trip transportation to and from the destination, all outdoor equipment and food. Dietary restrictions will be taken into consideration when planning the menu.
- Fall 2025 trip information coming soon!
Registration Instructions
The Rec Well Portal is our program registration website. Students should sign in to the Rec Well Portal with their MIDAS information. As a new student, you may not have MIDAS credentials yet. If that is that case, please follow the instructions below to create a local account to sign up for First Ascent.
- Visit the Rec Well Portal
- Click "Sign In"
- Click "Sign Up"
- Enter "First Name" & "Last Name"
- Enter email address & set your password
- A box will appear, select "Complete Account"
- Enter your Personal Information (i.e., Date of Birth, Gender, Phone Number, Address, etc...)
Once your local account is created or your are signed in via your MIDAS ID, sign up for the First Ascent program:
- From the home page, click "Outdoor Adventure"
- Click "First Ascent"
- Click "Register" on the trip of your choice
- Select Family Member (your name/account)
- Read Waiver and Click "Accept Now"
- Review and Answer the Questions (Incoming Student, UIN & Email, Health Insurance Information & Dietary Restrictions)
- Click "Add to Cart"
- Click "Checkout"
- Click "Add New Card"
- Enter your payment information
- Click "Continue"
- Submit Payment
Please email us at recwell@odu.edu if you have any questions or issues registering.
Plan a trip for your Campus Department
Whether it is a learning to surf day at the beach or a sunset paddle on the Elizabeth River, we can put together a trip that fits the needs of your department. If you are a part of a campus department and would like to organize an adventure trip with the Outdoor Adventure Program, please contact us at recwell@odu.edu.
Trip Scholarships
Recreation & Wellness is looking for a student organization to take on a paddleboarding trip at Whitehurst Beach or on a Day Hike at First Landing State Park, free of charge! Get to know the members in your organization or simply spend time together in the great outdoors through our Scholarship Trip Program. All equipment is provided by the Outdoor Adventure Center. Apply Online
Outdoor Adventure Apprenticeship
Share your passion for the outdoors. Become an Adventure Trip Leader!
The Outdoor Adventure Apprenticeship is a unique and valuable opportunity for students to guide their peers as an Adventure Trip Leader. To become a trip leader, accepted applicants must complete a semester-long apprentice training program. Participants will learn outdoor skills, become proficient in wilderness safety, develop leadership traits and establish a better understanding of themselves.
Interested in an apprenticeship? Email Recreation & Wellness at recwell@odu.edu.