Outdoor Program
The Westminster Outdoor Program exemplifies Westminster's unique environment for learning, which is located minutes from world-class skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the local Wasatch Mountains. Beyond the Wasatch lie Utah's red rock deserts, wild rivers, and vast wilderness areas—all of which become both Westminster's playground and classroom.
Through meaningful outdoor experiences, the Outdoor Program helps students to develop leadership, technical skills, self-awareness, character, and stewardship. Student leadership is a priority for the program and most outdoor trips are student-led. Graduates who were a part of the Outdoor Program often leave Westminster having weeks of valuable field experience, advanced certifications, and an understanding of how lessons learned in the outdoors can apply to other areas of college, career, and everyday life.
Whether you're joining us for an evening hike or a weekend in the backcountry, you'll most likely learn something new, meet interesting people, and spend time in awe-inspiring places.
Upcoming Trips and Events
Westminster students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests are welcome to participate in outdoor program trips and events. We're committed to supporting anyone who is interested in getting involved regardless of skill level, previous experience, or equipment needs. Contact outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or if you would like to participate but cannot pay the entire event fee. While modest, the Outdoor Program Participation Fund is designed to help in these cases.
Backcountry Iron Chef
Thursday Sept 28 | 4-6pm
Location: Richer Commons
Join us for our Backcountry Iron Chef event! Teams will compete for a prize by creating the best meal using only backcountry cooking equipment and ingredients. Sign up below to compete, or feel free to stop by as a spectator/judge!
Rock Climbing in City of Rocks Idaho
Sept 29–Oct 1, 2023
Spend a fun weekend camping and climbing in this legendary climbing area. This is a great trip for climbers of ALL levels, whether you climb regularly or have never put on a harness before.
Cost: $80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
No experience or equipment necessary. Required pre-trip meeting will be sometime early in the week of the trip, we'll be in touch with date and time. Use the Rock Climbing & Camping Equipment List to help you prepare.
Full Moon Hike
Friday, Oct 27, 2023
Come on a full moon hike with us in the Wasatch and have the unique experience of exploring in the mountains by moonlight with your friends!
Cost: $10 includes transportation and instruction.
Desert Backpacking Trip
Nov 3–5, 2023
Explore the red rocks and canyons of southern Utah! This trip is geared toward any experience level, including beginners. If you have been interested in seeing a different part of the state, backpacking, getting more involved with the outdoor program, or just getting outside for the weekend - this trip is for you!
Cost: $80 includes all food, transportation, equipment, and instruction.
Fall Dyno Competition @ Climbing Wall
Nov 9 | 4–10:00 p.m.
Location: Bishop’s Wall In Eccles HWAC is Hosting a Fall Semester Dyno Competition!
This will be a non-gendered, skill-based competition with beginner, intermediate,
and advanced categories! You will self assess your category. If you complete greater
than 2 climbs in the next category up, you will be bumped to that category. General
competition from 4pm - 9pm, finals from 9-10pmOther fun includes games, raffles, pizza
and prizes for finalists!
Cost: $3
Mountain Biking Day Trip
Friday, Nov 17, 2023
Ever wanted to go mountain biking on the trails right in our backyard mountain range? This is for you! Let OP trip leaders will take you on a biking adventure for the day!
Cost: $12 includes transportation, lunch, and instruction
You must have your own bike. The University of Utah Outdoor Program rents mountain bikes for $30 a day.
Wilderness First Aid Course
Nov 17–19, 2023
This course is a standard, 3-day Wilderness First Aid course through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC). This course includes adult & child wilderness CPR and AED certification. View the course syllabus. Westminster students wishing to receive academic credit for this WFA course (1) should first register for OEL 245C. People holding current WAFA, WFR, or WEMT certifications can use this course to recertify. People wishing to recertify using this standard WFA course must pass the WAFA, WFR or WEMT Recertification online exams within two months of completing the in-person course. Westminster students wishing to receive academic credit for recertification (1) should first register for OEL 245B. Llist of currently approved providers.
Cost:
- $50 refundable deposit for current Westminster Students, Faculty, Staff
- $255 for Alumni & Graduates of WMTC courses through Westminster
- $295 for Non-Westminster Community
Wilderness First Responder/WEMT Course
March 8-12, 2024
This is a Hybrid Wilderness First Responder course through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC). This course requires 40+ hours of independent online study and testing (Part 1) prior to the in-person practical session (Part 2) March 8-12, 2024. Westminster students wishing to receive academic credit for this course (2) should first register for OEL 245A. Email twhite@westminsteru.edu if you have questions or need help getting registered. If you're hoping to take this course to complete your WEMT, please contact us for more information.
Cost:
- $510 for Westminster Community: Students, Faculty, Staff, & Alumni (includes the Part 1 independent study and the Part 2 practical session)
- $430 for Non-Westminster Community (includes the Part 2 practical session only, Part 1 is completed through WMTC - register for Part 1 through WMTC)
- Non-Westminster Community register for Part 2 through WMTC.
Ongoing Events
Kayak Roll Sessions
Wednesdays, 8:00–10 p.m.
First–timers meet in the Eccles HWAC Aquatic Center from 8–8:30 p.m. All other current students, faculty and staff arrive at 8:30 p.m. to come practice your roll and kayaking skills.
Cost: Free
Intro Climbing Hour
Fridays, 1:00 p.m.
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
This time is dedicated to new climbers who want to “learn the ropes." No equipment or experience required– just come ready to climb. If you haven’t already, please complete the Climbing Wall Registration before arriving.
Cost: Free
Faculty/Staff Climbing Hour
Last Friday of each month, 12:00 p.m.
Location: Bishop’s Wall in Eccles HWAC
Heard of “walking meetings?” Now you can have climbing meetings too! Or just come climb. No equipment or experience required– just come ready to climb.. If you haven’t already, please complete the Climbing Wall Registration before arriving.
Cost: Free
Refund and Cancellation Policy
- If there is a fee, you must pay for the trip or event before you are considered to be registered. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu if you're having trouble with payment.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the registration deadline (if applicable), you can receive a refund for the trip.
- If you register for a trip and cancel before the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), but after the registration deadline (if applicable), you can apply the registration fees as a credit toward a future trip with the Outdoor Program within the same academic school year.
- If you cancel after the pre-trip meeting (if applicable), no refunds or credits will be given.
- You MUST attend scheduled pre-trip meetings for trips if applicable. Meeting dates and times vary and will be included in event information. If you do not attend the meeting and have not made other arrangements with us to get trip information, your spot on the trip may be forfeited. Email outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu with any questions or concerns about attending pre-trip meetings.
- No refunds for Wilderness First Responder/First Aid/re-certifications, avalanche certification courses, and AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course will be given unless the Outdoor Program cancels the event.
Contact
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Outdoor Program
