Outdoor Pursuits offers the equipment and instruction required to get out and play in the outdoors of Indiana and beyond! The Outdoor Pursuits Center offers something for all of our students, alumni, and community members. Experience the rush of whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s New River, learn the delicate arts of fly tying and fly casting, or add some spice to your workout by training on the indoor climbing wall. Whether you’ve got years of experience under your belt and are looking to sharpen your skills, or it’s your first outdoor adventure, we have something for you!
Outdoor Pursuit Updates:
Climbing Wall
The Climbing Wall is open! Check the hours for more information.
Become belay qualified for the Climbing Wall! Register here!
- Log-in by clicking BSU Username and Password
- If you receive an error, be sure you clicked BSU Username and Password and did not just enter your BSU credentials.
- Select Programs and Registration
- Click Climbing Wall
- Click Belay Clinic
- Select the day and time
- Be sure to click check-out and check-out again
- Once you see a green bar success screen, you are officially registered!
Outdoor Pursuit Adventure Trips: To Register Click Here
Trip 1
Saturday, September 10 thru Sunday, September 11, 2022
Zaleski State Forest Backpacking Trip
Moonville, Ohio
Join Outdoor Pursuits on a beautiful weekend trip to Zaleski State Forest! Located in Moonville Ohio, OP staff and trip members will spend a night in the forest, and hike out the next morning on the historical Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Backpack Trail. The trip fee required covers trip leadership, transportation, all backpacking and outdoor gear, and food for the duration of the trip.
Trip 2
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Chain O’Lakes
Albion, Indiana
Join Outdoor Pursuits on an easy, low key day trip to Chain O' Lakes in Illinois! Only an hour and a half away, we will be doing an easy paddle through most of the lakes, while trying to complete the nine lake challenge. Trip fees for this trip cover, transportation, boating equipment, boats, and trip leadership.
Trip 3
Saturday, October 8 – Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Horse Pens 40 Bouldering Trip Fall Break 2022
Steele, Alabama
Looking for an opportunity to travel, camp, and do some outdoor rock climbing during fall break? Look no further than Outdoor Pursuit's four day climbing trip to Horse Pens (HP) 40 in Steele Alabama. This trip requires NO prior climbing experience making it great for climbing veterans and as well as beginners. The trip fee for this adventure covers climbing equipment, back packing equipment, camping equipment, transportation, food, and the salary for the trip leaders. NOTE: This climbing trip is bouldering only, meaning there will be no ropes involved but climbs will be limited in height.
Trip 4
Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16, 2022
Mammoth Cave
Brownsville, Kentucky
Join Outdoor Pursuits for a trip down to Mammoth Cave! We will head out Friday evening to Brownsville, KY to spend two nights under the stars at Mammoth cave's on-site campground. The next day, we will go on a tour of the world's largest cave system. Please note that the tours require the ability to climb many stairs and walk on uneven terrain. Following the tour, we can take a short hike on some of the trails above ground, or check out the visitor's center to learn more about the National Park. Trip leaders will provide dinners and campfires, so there will be plenty of time to relax in the beautiful foothills of Kentucky. Cost of registration includes camping equipment, transportation, tour costs, trip leadership, breakfasts, and dinners.
Trip 5
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Muscatatuck Bouldering
Vernon, Indiana
Join Outdoor Pursuits as we travel to Muscatatuck State Park for a day of bouldering in one of Indiana's best (and only) outdoor climbing area! We will have an early start to our trip on a Saturday morning, and spend all day bouldering and hiking through the state park. Registration includes climbing shoes, crash pads, spotters, transportation, trip leadership, and a midday meal.
Rental Center
The Rental Center is OPEN for the remainder of the Summer 2022 Semester!
Check the hours for more information.
Activities and Facilities
The mission of Ball State University’s Outdoor Pursuits program is to provide opportunities for Ball State students, faculty, staff, and the East Central Indiana community to learn and participate in outdoor activities that they would not otherwise have the chance to experience. The programs offered by Outdoor Pursuits are intended to teach technical outdoor skills while promoting safety, physical fitness, social interaction, environmental stewardship, and enhancing the University experience for all of those involved.
Outdoor Pursuits programs include a 36-foot indoor climbing wall, a year-round trip program facilitating 15+ trips a semester to both local and distant outdoor locations, and an impressive rental center with everything you need to go canoeing, kayaking, camping, or backpacking.