*“We are offering a lot more equipment, and we are planning a lot better trips. We have a ton of new stuff as well, and we offer special discounted prices for students.”*
- Jeremy Rodgers, Program Coordinator at the Union Adventure Center

The basement of the Union has a lot more than food, beer and bowling. The Union Adventure Center, formally known as the Union Outing Center, has undergone some recent changes and now offers even more opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Beginning this semester, the Adventure Center has a waxing service for snowboards and skis. Victoria Livingston, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student and avid skier, will be in charge of waxing boards or skis for $15. This service is only available for UWM students.

The Center continues to offer cross-country ski, snowshoe and snowboard rental prices that are much lower than typical rental rates at other area businesses. Students can rent equipment for as long as necessary, and can come in at any time during business hours with no reservations required. Adventure Center employees help customers find right size equipment, ensuring a safe and enjoyable time.

New outdoor equipment was made available this semester. New snowshoes and Rossignol snowboards can be checked out, and winter sleeping bags, tents, and internal frame backpacks are all new and ready to be rented as well.

“We are offering a lot more equipment, and we are planning a lot better trips. We have a ton of new stuff as well, and we offer special discounted prices for students,” said Jeremy Rodgers, program coordinator at the center.

The Union Adventure Center plans regular events on-campus and off to connect students and the campus community with the outdoors. Most, but not all trips are instructional and are suitable for people with little or no experience.

The Center plans to show movies in the Union Theatre this semester. It also expects to put together more week-long and overnight trips, especially during spring break this semester.

“The trip we are most excited about is our whitewater rafting trip in April, but in February we are offering a great free trip to Lapham Peak in Kettle Moraine National Forest to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing. There are over 22 miles of great trails there,” said Rodgers.

What’s in a name?

The name change was initiated because people were misunderstanding what the center was all about.

“There was a lot of confusion about it,” said Evan Koon, who is in charge of gear rentals at the center, “It was brought to our attention by Scott Gore (program manager for the Union) that people thought we were a part of the LGBT Resource Center, and we wanted to clear that up.”

A student poll was held, and the new name was chosen.

“It’s been a good change, and I think it’s a better name,” said Koon. “Since the change we’ve had a lot more people coming in. We’ve had lots of rentals over winter break, and business has been steady since the semester began.”

Think Spring

Warm-weather recreation equipment is available to check out, from a volleyball set to inline skates and horseshoe sets. As for trips, whitewater rafting, kayaking, sailing and indoor rock-climbing excursions will also take place as the weather becomes warmer.

Sometime in April the UBike program located in the Adventure Center will begin distributing bikes to students again. The UBike program offers bikes for students for one semester at no charge. The program was initiated about four years ago to encourage biking and reduce parking congestion on campus.

There are about 100 bikes made available every semester; and usually within a week all the bikes are checked out.

For more information about trips or rentals, visit the Adventure Center in the basement of the Union or call the center at 414-229-5513.

February Events

Ski and Snowboard at Sunburst
Friday, February 8, 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
UWM Students only. $20 includes lift ticket, ski rental, and transportation. $17 includes lift ticket only.
Non-refundable deposit of $10 due February 1.

Day at Devil's Head
Saturday, February 16, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
$55 Students, $60 Campus Community, $65 Community. Includes all day lift ticket and transportation.
Non-refundable deposit of $20 due February 8.

Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing at Lapham’s Peak
Sunday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free event. Snowshoes, skis, and transportation are provided. Sign up by February 8.

Ice Skating Downtown
Wednesday, February 20, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Free event. Ice skates and transportation are provided. Sign up by February 15.

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