A new season at Hydaway
The recreation area opens for the semester with new events and activities
EXERCISE — A group of people took a trail ride through the many paths surrounding the Camp Hydaway lake.
Photo Credit: Kevin Manguiob
While cold, winter temperatures might keep some students indoors, the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center (HORC) will be opening for the spring semester Friday, Feb. 17.
HORC’s goal is to encourage students to enjoy the outdoors.
HORC offers a variety of activities including camping, hiking, biking and swimming.
More than 50 miles of trails wind around approximately 5,000 acres on Liberty Mountain.
There is also a water slide at the lake, which will be opening after Liberty University’s spring break, according to Mariah Herring, assistant director of outdoor recreation.
The Outfitter will be opening on Feb. 17 as well.
At the Outfitter, students, faculty and staff with a Flames Pass are able to check out canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, mountain bikes and ENO hammocks.
Additionally, individuals can rent camping equipment.
For a small fee, equipment is also available to be checked out and used off-site.
ZIP — Last spring’s senior picnic took place at Camp Hydaway and included ziplining.
Photo Credit: Joel Coleman
There are many activities and trips planned over the semester.
There are no activities planned on opening day, but the following day, HORC’s zipline will be open from 1-5 p.m.
The zipline will also be open March 4 and April 8 from 1-5p.m. both days.
“We have a packed calendar of events and trips this semester,” Herring said.
On Feb. 18, there is a hiking trip to Spy Rock.
The cost is $5, which will include transportation, lunch and a guide
at Spy Rock.
Another trip is a camping trip planned to Lake James State Park in North Carolina over spring break from March 15-19.
The cost is $80, which includes lodging, camping gear, meals and transportation.
Students will be able to hike, ride mountain bikes on nearby trails, canoe in the lake and fish.
There will be a horseback riding trip at Reba Farms in Bedford, Virginia March 25.
On Easter Monday April 17, there will be a sunrise hike to Cold Mountain in Oronoco, Virginia.
RELAX — Students enjoyed various types of shing on the docks at Camp Hydaway.
Photo Credit: Kevin Manguiob
Other trips include a hiking trip to Humpback Rocks, fly fishing, bouldering, kayaking, camping and an overnight white water rafting trip.
Student Activities has planned the second annual Outdoor Rec Fest for the weekend of March 3-4.
The Outdoor Rec Fest will include events such as a photography expo, raffles to win outdoor equipment and gear, a painting workshop and a screening of the documentary “Go Tell It On the Mountain” at the LaHaye Center.
The Liberty Mountain 5k, which is also part of the Outdoor Rec Fest, will be hosted at Hydaway Outdoor Rec Center at 9 a.m. March 4.
There will be shuttle buses leaving from the LaHaye Center to the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center March 4 at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m after the race.
More information on the Outdoor Rec Fest can be found on the outdoor recreation section of Liberty’s website.
To learn more about Camp Hydaway’s shuttle bus schedule or upcoming events, visit Facebook.com/LUOutdoors.