 "Photo: Photo by Georgia Adams")
Summer is pretty much here, and there is no reason to spend it sitting idly in front of a TV, computer or even in a classroom.
The University of West Florida offers a vast selection of activities on campus that can keep students occupied and active throughout the summer.
“We’ll continue to keep the informal activities available year-round, such as disc golf, canoe and kayak checkouts and the mountain bike trails,” said Shaun Boren, assistant director of Outdoor Adventures. “If you’re feeling like an indoor adventure, the climbing center will also be open in the afternoons.”
As of now, Outdoor Adventures has no major trips planned.
“We have yet to plan any trips for the summer,” Boren said, “but students are always more than welcome to ask for one, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. I hope to at least take the kayaks to the beach a few times.”
There are more than 20 miles of trails that snake their way through the woods surrounding the UWF campus. Students interested in getting familiar with the backcountry of the school can spend plenty of time on these trails.
The cross-country trails, which are located across the street from the baseball fields, offer about four miles of good hiking and jogging. The half-mile Edward Ball Nature Trail also offers a good hike through the Escambia River swamp for those looking to see more wildlife.
For students who want to make their summer a little more extreme, mountain bikes can be taken on the trails on the west end of campus (behind the Baptist Student Center). There are several miles of trails that wind through more than 600 acres of forest. If you’re looking to get back into shape, biking on these trails can work you out pretty well.
Students who have to take classes this summer can still get out and be active while also earning credit hours. Beach Sports and Adventure Sports are two classes that can be taken to make going to summer school a little more fun.
“Adventure Sports is very experientially based,” Boren said. “Most of the grade will be coming from participation in activities such as rock-climbing, disc golf, ultimate frisbee, canoeing and kayaking.”
These classes can be a great way to get out and break the monotony of the normal classroom environment.
“Beach Sports is similar in style and content,” Boren said. “They’re both simple to do well in, if you participate, and they’re a lot of fun.”
If students want to spend even more time at the beach, they can look into joining the Surf Club. Hurricane season isn’t far away, and with it comes the potential for high-quality surf.
“Students can still get involved during the summer,” said Austin Hunt, president of the Surf Club. “There’s still going to be surf, so we’re going to try and get as many of our members out in the water as possible.”
There will be plenty of opportunities for students to get out of the house, dorm or apartment this summer and get active.
Even if students don’t want to drive out to the beach, the UWF campus offers plenty of things to do to keep students occupied throughout the summer. They can even kill two birds with one stone and get credit for it.
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