Weekend of adventure
The Outdoor Rec Fest offers multiple events throughout the two-day span
Bouldering, running and photography — oh my! All of these activities find commonality in the Outdoor Rec Fest, held Feb. 26-27. The Outdoor Rec Fest encompasses athletics, fine arts and hands-on outdoor experiences. Multiple events are being offered, both on and off campus.
“We wanted to give a lot of different things that people can get involved in,” Outdoor Recreation Director Joshua Yeoman said.
The bouldering competition will kick off the Outdoor Rec Fest Feb. 26, at the LaHaye Student Union rock wall. Categories range from beginner to advanced, with awards being given for the top four competitors in specified areas. The registration fee also places participants into a raffle to win athletic gear for participating.
A screening of the documentary “Inspired to Ride” will take place Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the LaHaye Event Space. After the film, there will be a Q&A segment with Dr. David Horton of Liberty’s kinesiology department. This is also an approved psych activity.
From Feb. 26-27, the Photography Expo will be held in the LaHaye Event Space and lobby. Student photography with an outdoor theme will be displayed and judged, with $100+ gift cards offered for the top three winners.
The Liberty Mountain 5K will take place at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 at Camp Hydaway. Pre-registration, available at liberty.edu/campusrec/studentactivities, is required to participate.
In addition to the 5K, there will be two separate activities offered at Camp Hydaway Feb. 27. Biology professor Gene Sattler will lead a bird and nature walk beginning at 1 p.m. The backcountry cooking expo will also begin at 1 p.m., including a two-mile hike filled with food tastings.
The outdoor gear expo will take place Feb. 27 in the LaHaye Event Space. Vendors will have gear available for viewing from 1-5 p.m. Gear centered around running, biking, fishing and more will be included
in the expo.
The Outdoor Rec Fest will culminate in a feature film and raffle Feb. 27 in the LaHaye Event Space. The cost of admission automatically enters students into a raffle and gives access to the screening of
“Everest.”
After the film, a Q&A panel on the movie will be held. Tickets can be purchased for $5 through the myLU ticket portal or for $8 at the door.
While all these events center on the outdoors, all students are encouraged to involve themselves in the Outdoor Rec Fest.
“We want to expose people to the outdoors,” Yeoman said. “If that’s just taking a walk on a trail, that’s great. Everyone doesn’t have to climb Everest or be some gnarly mountain bike rider. We want to get people outside and unplugged.”
Registration links for the events and more information on each event can be found on the liberty.edu/campusrec/studentactivities.
Moyer is a feature reporter.