Adventure Recreation Program

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With over 1,000 acres of wooded land, a quiet lake in the campus foreground and four distinct New England seasons, Franklin Pierce University presents an outstanding opportunity to develop outdoor skills, hone recreational techniques and gain individual confidence. From our base camp in Rindge, New Hampshire, exploration opportunities abound. Kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, caving, whitewater rafting and more are available from the Monadnock Region to the White Mountains. Whether you enjoy quiet walks in the woods or adrenaline-infused whitewater rafting trips, the Adventure Recreation Program can create your personal adventure. Checkout some recent adventure rec trips here.

Three components make up the Adventure Recreation Program at Franklin Pierce

For freshmen looking to be involved straight from the beginning, we offer multiple pre-orientation wilderness trips that consist of multi-day excursions into the backcountry. Skill building in the areas of camping, hiking, kayaking and rock climbing is offered in the weeks prior to the start of the fall semester. Faculty members meet the groups in the field to teach of the historical and ecological backgrounds for the visited areas. Trip leaders are upperclassmen trained in each of the skill specialties along with training and certification in wilderness first responder first aid and CPR.

Off-campus adventures are offered almost every weekend. We conduct more than 20 trips per year that range from paddling a kayak down a quiet river to exploding over a seven-foot waterfall on a whitewater rafting adventure. A group recently enjoyed indoor parachuting in nearby Nashua.

The University owns a wide range of adventure equiment that is available to students, faculty and staff at no charge. For those looking to develop a new skill, we offer instructional courses throughout the year. The goal is to provide numerous ways for members of the campus community to learn, grow and enrich themselves through adventure. The Adventure Recreation program can also create customized adventures for athletic teams, University clubs, residence halls and faculty and staff.

Outdoor Recreation Resources:Our campus is surrounded by three 5km trail systems. These multi-use trails are great for mountain biking, snowshoeing, trail running or a relaxing nature walk. Keep a look out for the local inhabitants including deer, foxes, owls, hawks, raccoons, beavers, moose and even black bears! Pearly Pond offers a "walk out your front door" opportunity to swim, fish, kayak, canoe or sail. It is a relatively quiet body of water that reaches back away from civilization into a silent cove where one can paddle into the shadow of Mount Monadnock.

The Adventure Rec Lounge: Originally designed as a warming hut for the old ski hill and meeting place for the Outing Club, the Adventure Rec Lounge now serves as a place to study, watch a movie or just relax with friends. The interior houses a ping-pong table, dart boards, board games, playing cards and a collection of "extreme" outdoor videos, all available for use free of charge. During the winter months, two wood-burning stoves keep occupants toasty warm. Inner tubes for the adjacent sledding hill are also available in the Adventure Rec Lounge.

Recreational Equipment: The University has made a significant investment in the Adventure Recreation Program. As a result, students now have access to sailboats, a new fleet of recreational kayaks, camping gear, canoes and snowshoes. Much of this equipment is available on a regular basis and can be used by students, faculty and staff at no cost.