Adventure Trips

Adventure Trips

students backpacking students backpacking
student climbing an ice wall student climbing an ice wall
students together smiling on a mountainside students together smiling on a mountainside
student zip lining student zip lining
student ziplining student ziplining
students outdoors students outdoors

The Outdoor Pursuit Center Trip Program offers unique opportunities to Miami University students, faculty, staff and surrounding community. Our trips are designed to provide a balance of challenging, educational, and fun activities in a wilderness setting.

heron florida.jpg

Paddle and Hike Apalachicola Florida

Escape the chill of winter to Florida's Apalachicola Bay Area. This area offers hundreds of miles of scenic natural waterways to explore. Also home to the Apalachicola National Forest which offers ecologically diverse hiking trails. This area hosts abundant wildlife including 280 species of resident and migratory birds, armadillos, tortoises, turtles, black bears and of course alligators. Come explore this area by canoe and by foot as we paddle and hike.

Tentative Trip Itinerary 
March 18: Travel by passenger van from Oxford, overnight stay near Columbus, Georgia
March 19: Arrive at Apalachicola National Forest & camp
March 20: Learn to paddle on Owl Creek and enjoy an afternoon hike & return to camp
March 21: Paddle Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA)
March 22: Paddle Apalachicola River WEA
March 23: Shuttle to Apalachicola Bay Area and explore
March 24: Beach Day near St. George Island
(Optional activities such as shelling, kayaking, fishing and stand up paddle boarding*)
March 25: Begin return trip to Oxford, overnight stay near Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 26: Return to Oxford
* Additional activity fees may apply.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Apalachicola National Forest & St. George Island, Florida
Trip Dates: March 18-26, 2023
Fee Includes: Transportation, meals (on location), accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff
Trip Fee: $1,100

Register Now


Backpack the Iconic Appalachian Trail

Backpack the Iconic Appalachian Trail

Come along on a wilderness Spring Break adventure as we backpack a section of the Appalachian Trail. The AT stretches almost 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine and is renowned as one of the most prominent, oldest, and most biologically diverse footpaths in the US. The journey begins with an introduction to basic backpacking techniques. With your pack loaded, hiking boots laced, we'll hit the trail to hike and camp over 50 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail.

Dates and Important Information

Location: North Carolina and Georgia
Trip Dates: March 18 - 26, 2023
Fee Includes: Transportation, backcountry meals, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff
Trip Fee: $650

Register Now

Zaleski State Forest

Backpack the Zaleski State Forest

Breathe in the fresh spring air as you hike the trails of Zaleski State Forest and find yourself inspired by the beauty of spring emerging all around you. Join us as we backpack to explore the second largest forest in Ohio.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Zaleski, Ohio
Trip Dates: April 1 - 2
Registration Fee: $175
Includes: Transportation, backcountry meals, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff

Register Now


White water rafting

White Water Raft the Ocoee River

Join the Outdoor Pursuit Center on a whitewater adventure. The Ocoee River flows through the Cherokee National Forest and boasts 20+ continuous Class III-IV rapids.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Trip Dates: April 28 - 30
Registration Fee: $249
Includes: Transportation, meals on location, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff

Register Now


Paddle and Peddle

Paddle and Pedal

Explore what fun creek paddling can be in an inflatable kayak aka ducky. Let us take you on a true backyard adventure down Four Mile Creek. For this semi-guided adventure you'll paddle 4 miles and take-out at Sycamore Bluffs. Here you will trade out your boat for a bike and pedal the country roads back to campus. Please note, this adventure may require sections of wading through shallow water and pulling or carrying your kayak in various spots depending on water level. The bike route includes two hill climbs.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Oxford, Ohio
Trip Date: April 28
Registration Fee: $40
Includes: Activity specific equipment and staff

Register Now

Costa Rica

Trek Hidden Costa Rica

Come along and journey with us through the jungles of Costa Rica. This outdoor leadership course begins with a week of class and outdoor skill development on Oxford's campus, followed by an 11-day field experience in Costa Rica. Adventures include hiking and waterfall rappelling in Piedras Blancas, overnight hiking and camping in Corcovado National Park, whitewater rafting on the Savegre River, ocean snorkeling, and more.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Costa Rica

Course Dates: January 3 - 7, 2023

Field Experience: January 8 - 18, 2023

Program Fee: $2,145 + tuition, airfare, and travel insurance

 

2023 program is full. Application for 2024 will open in April/May 2023.


New Zealand Fox Glacier

Discover New Zealand

This course takes place on New Zealand's South Island. The hallmark of this course is experiential education. ...in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people's capacity to contribute to their communities (Gass, M.A. 2012). For three weeks students will be immersed in New Zealand’s natural environments and local cultures.

Dates and Important Information

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Course Dates: May 16 - June 7, 2023

Course Program Fee: $2,400 + tuition, airfare, and travel insurance

 

Register Now

Backpackers

Outdoor Rock Climbing

Try the unique experience of outdoor climbing in either a day trip or overnight with your group. For a day trip, head to John Bryan State Park to try climbing in the outdoors with many beginner friendly and more challenging routes. This trip can accommodate 10-20 participants at only $30 a person. For a more extensive climbing trip, try our overnight trip to Red River Gorge, a world class climbing location with beginner friendly to expert routes. Prices vary depending on the needs of the group.


Mountain Biking

While you never forget how to ride a bike, it’s time to take bike riding to a whole new level. Try our 2 hour introduction to mountain biking for only $15 a person. In this experience we teach the fundamentals of mountain biking, and bike around our local trails at Hueston Woods. This trip is designed for smaller groups of 8 or less.


Backpacking

To experience nature at its finest, join us on a customizable backpacking trip. Backpacking is a great way for any group to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, and truly connect with others and nature while hiking and camping. Typically our backpacking trips go to Red River Gorge or Germantown Metroparks, but other locations are available. This trip can be customized to include rock climbing, team building, leadership development, wilderness survival skills, or any other goals your group may have.


Camping Retreat

Have your group grow and develop in a traditional camping environment. Our staff can work with your group individually to determine the needs and goals for the group, and will facilitate activities for the group based off of the goals for the trip. Potential focuses for the trip include team building, leadership, community building, etc. Depending on location, activities, and add-ons (meals, transportation, etc.), prices will vary for this trip.


Wilderness Rescue Immersion Experience

For a unique team bonding and leadership scenario,take your group on our Wilderness Rescue Immersion Experience. This overnight experience is designed to build camaraderie between participants as they participate in a mock search and rescue scenario in the Red River Gorge. This scenario can be flexible depending on the goals of the group, but the standard experience builds leadership skills amongst all participants and allows the group to connect and problem solve in a remote setting.

Request a Quote

Ghosts & Gears Bike Tour
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays the last 2 weeks in October 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Join us for a guided ride as we tour some of Miami’s most haunted, eerie and mysterious locations*. Learn all the local tales just in time for Halloween!

$10 per person, adult-sized bikes provided

*This is a family-friendly program.

Register Now:

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 25

October 26

October 27

Spring Break Trips

heron florida.jpg

Paddle and Hike Apalachicola Florida

Escape the chill of winter to Florida's Apalachicola Bay Area. This area offers hundreds of miles of scenic natural waterways to explore. Also home to the Apalachicola National Forest which offers ecologically diverse hiking trails. This area hosts abundant wildlife including 280 species of resident and migratory birds, armadillos, tortoises, turtles, black bears and of course alligators. Come explore this area by canoe and by foot as we paddle and hike.

Tentative Trip Itinerary 
March 18: Travel by passenger van from Oxford, overnight stay near Columbus, Georgia
March 19: Arrive at Apalachicola National Forest & camp
March 20: Learn to paddle on Owl Creek and enjoy an afternoon hike & return to camp
March 21: Paddle Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA)
March 22: Paddle Apalachicola River WEA
March 23: Shuttle to Apalachicola Bay Area and explore
March 24: Beach Day near St. George Island
(Optional activities such as shelling, kayaking, fishing and stand up paddle boarding*)
March 25: Begin return trip to Oxford, overnight stay near Chattanooga, Tennessee
March 26: Return to Oxford
* Additional activity fees may apply.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Apalachicola National Forest & St. George Island, Florida
Trip Dates: March 18-26, 2023
Fee Includes: Transportation, meals (on location), accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff
Trip Fee: $1,100

Register Now


Backpack the Iconic Appalachian Trail

Backpack the Iconic Appalachian Trail

Come along on a wilderness Spring Break adventure as we backpack a section of the Appalachian Trail. The AT stretches almost 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine and is renowned as one of the most prominent, oldest, and most biologically diverse footpaths in the US. The journey begins with an introduction to basic backpacking techniques. With your pack loaded, hiking boots laced, we'll hit the trail to hike and camp over 50 miles of the legendary Appalachian Trail.

Dates and Important Information

Location: North Carolina and Georgia
Trip Dates: March 18 - 26, 2023
Fee Includes: Transportation, backcountry meals, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff
Trip Fee: $650

Register Now

Spring Trips

Zaleski State Forest

Backpack the Zaleski State Forest

Breathe in the fresh spring air as you hike the trails of Zaleski State Forest and find yourself inspired by the beauty of spring emerging all around you. Join us as we backpack to explore the second largest forest in Ohio.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Zaleski, Ohio
Trip Dates: April 1 - 2
Registration Fee: $175
Includes: Transportation, backcountry meals, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff

Register Now


White water rafting

White Water Raft the Ocoee River

Join the Outdoor Pursuit Center on a whitewater adventure. The Ocoee River flows through the Cherokee National Forest and boasts 20+ continuous Class III-IV rapids.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Trip Dates: April 28 - 30
Registration Fee: $249
Includes: Transportation, meals on location, accommodations, activity specific equipment, permits, staff

Register Now


Paddle and Peddle

Paddle and Pedal

Explore what fun creek paddling can be in an inflatable kayak aka ducky. Let us take you on a true backyard adventure down Four Mile Creek. For this semi-guided adventure you'll paddle 4 miles and take-out at Sycamore Bluffs. Here you will trade out your boat for a bike and pedal the country roads back to campus. Please note, this adventure may require sections of wading through shallow water and pulling or carrying your kayak in various spots depending on water level. The bike route includes two hill climbs.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Oxford, Ohio
Trip Date: April 28
Registration Fee: $40
Includes: Activity specific equipment and staff

Register Now

Study Abroad Experiences

Costa Rica

Trek Hidden Costa Rica

Come along and journey with us through the jungles of Costa Rica. This outdoor leadership course begins with a week of class and outdoor skill development on Oxford's campus, followed by an 11-day field experience in Costa Rica. Adventures include hiking and waterfall rappelling in Piedras Blancas, overnight hiking and camping in Corcovado National Park, whitewater rafting on the Savegre River, ocean snorkeling, and more.

Dates and Important Information

Location: Costa Rica

Course Dates: January 3 - 7, 2023

Field Experience: January 8 - 18, 2023

Program Fee: $2,145 + tuition, airfare, and travel insurance

 

2023 program is full. Application for 2024 will open in April/May 2023.


New Zealand Fox Glacier

Discover New Zealand

This course takes place on New Zealand's South Island. The hallmark of this course is experiential education. ...in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people's capacity to contribute to their communities (Gass, M.A. 2012). For three weeks students will be immersed in New Zealand’s natural environments and local cultures.

Dates and Important Information

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Course Dates: May 16 - June 7, 2023

Course Program Fee: $2,400 + tuition, airfare, and travel insurance

 

Register Now

Custom Group Adventures

Backpackers

Outdoor Rock Climbing

Try the unique experience of outdoor climbing in either a day trip or overnight with your group. For a day trip, head to John Bryan State Park to try climbing in the outdoors with many beginner friendly and more challenging routes. This trip can accommodate 10-20 participants at only $30 a person. For a more extensive climbing trip, try our overnight trip to Red River Gorge, a world class climbing location with beginner friendly to expert routes. Prices vary depending on the needs of the group.


Mountain Biking

While you never forget how to ride a bike, it’s time to take bike riding to a whole new level. Try our 2 hour introduction to mountain biking for only $15 a person. In this experience we teach the fundamentals of mountain biking, and bike around our local trails at Hueston Woods. This trip is designed for smaller groups of 8 or less.


Backpacking

To experience nature at its finest, join us on a customizable backpacking trip. Backpacking is a great way for any group to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, and truly connect with others and nature while hiking and camping. Typically our backpacking trips go to Red River Gorge or Germantown Metroparks, but other locations are available. This trip can be customized to include rock climbing, team building, leadership development, wilderness survival skills, or any other goals your group may have.


Camping Retreat

Have your group grow and develop in a traditional camping environment. Our staff can work with your group individually to determine the needs and goals for the group, and will facilitate activities for the group based off of the goals for the trip. Potential focuses for the trip include team building, leadership, community building, etc. Depending on location, activities, and add-ons (meals, transportation, etc.), prices will vary for this trip.


Wilderness Rescue Immersion Experience

For a unique team bonding and leadership scenario,take your group on our Wilderness Rescue Immersion Experience. This overnight experience is designed to build camaraderie between participants as they participate in a mock search and rescue scenario in the Red River Gorge. This scenario can be flexible depending on the goals of the group, but the standard experience builds leadership skills amongst all participants and allows the group to connect and problem solve in a remote setting.

Request a Quote

Ghosts & Gears Bike Tour

Ghosts & Gears Bike Tour
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays the last 2 weeks in October 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Join us for a guided ride as we tour some of Miami’s most haunted, eerie and mysterious locations*. Learn all the local tales just in time for Halloween!

$10 per person, adult-sized bikes provided

*This is a family-friendly program.

Register Now:

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 25

October 26

October 27