The University of Richmond Outdoor Adventure and Recreation Program, also known as OAR, at the Weinstein Center for Health and Well-Being, offers enriching programs for students to engage in outdoor activities.
According to the OAR mission statement, the program aims to “foster personal growth, environmental stewardship, peer leadership, and multi-dimensional wellness through experiential education programming.”
Senior Sam Walker, University Recreation members services assistant, said that when he mentioned his work with the program, his peers were unaware that OAR existed.
“We've been trying to promote it, but haven’t had a lot of success,” Walker said.
Walker believes the issue is a lack of recognition rather than an absence of interest. Student feedback and surveys have helped to identify areas for growth, leading to recent changes within the program.
To increase awareness, the OAR program’s new director, Jill Woodward, spearheaded an initiative to make equipment rentals free for full-time students, faculty and staff. Previously, items like river tubing packages, tents and coolers cost anywhere from $5 to $40 to rent. The program hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of what it offers by eliminating rental costs.
“I want you all to not have this barrier of money and be able to just go outside,” Woodward said.
Woodward has always had a deep love for the outdoors, and she spent years leading expeditions across the country. Through the time spent outside, she developed a greater sense of self and appreciation for nature. She hopes to share this with students.
“Being able to provide opportunities to everyone to get outside and seeing the smiles on students' faces is something I've always loved,” Woodward said.
Aside from team building programs, OAR carries out its mission through equipment rentals such as life jackets, tents and even Spikeball.
The OAR program also offers various outdoor trips for a discounted price. OAR hosts indoor climbing trips for all experience levels at Triangle Rock Club, a rock-climbing gym in Richmond.
According to Woodward, the popularity of these trips is growing. The recent ski trip to Wintergreen Resort in Nellysford, Virginia sold out in just three hours.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
“I had a great time on the ski trip,” sophomore Olivia Perkins, a student who attended the ski trip last year, said. “I definitely plan on signing up for more trips in the future.”
Woodward said she hopes this momentum will lead to a stronger future for the program, with more trips and expanded equipment rental options.
“She is taking this program to the next level," Walker said. "I'm really excited to see where it goes with her as the new management.”
Contact lifestyle writer Jasmine Velasquez at jasmine.velasquez@richmond.edu
Support independent student media
You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking the button below, which takes you to our secure PayPal account. The page is set up to receive contributions in whatever amount you designate. We look forward to using the money we raise to further our mission of providing honest and accurate information to students, faculty, staff, alumni and others in the general public.
Donate Now
