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Govs Outdoors

Govs Outdoors is University Recreation’s outdoor adventure department. We offer indoor rock climbing at the Foy, guided outdoor trips, outdoor equipment rentals, and a low-ropes course for challenge, teambuilding and leadership programs. Our climbing wall has bouldering and top-rope climbing for all ability levels. Outdoor trips can be anything from a half-day float on the Red River to a week-long backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon and everything in between. Adventurers who are just missing that one piece of, gear can rent everything from hammocks to backpacking packs. Groups can visit the Challenge Course to build teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Govs Outdoors aims to provide all students with an opportunity to expand their skillset, improve their self-reliance, and their ability to work with a group while enjoying the experience of the great outdoors.  

 Trip Schedule  Trip Info Climbing Wall  Gear Rental  FAQs


Trip Information:

Govs Outdoors offers a variety of outdoor experiences. Some outings will be short, in and around Clarksville, some will be overnight trips, and some will make use of the Fall and Spring Breaks to allow for 3+ days of adventure. Govs Outdoors trips are cooperative adventures; participants will learn relevant skills throughout the trip and be empowered to contribute to the adventure experience. 

Trip Difficulty
There is a Govs Outdoors trip for everyone. All trips are open to newcomers, and none require prior experience, regardless of activity type. Certain trips, such as backpacking, do demand a certain level of physical readiness. Most individuals can meet these demands without additional preparation, but it is an important consideration for any trip. If you are concerned with the potential difficulties of a trip, please speak with our staff at the Rock or the Gear Center, and they will help you understand what to expect. 

Equipment 
Specialized equipment will be provided and included in trip pricing. Some trips require or recommend specific types of clothing articles that the average participant will already own, such as a dri-fit t-shirt. We may not be able to provide items of this nature, but we will work with you to find a solution.   

Trip Fees
Trip fees include all transportation, lodging, in-camp food, equipment rental and activity fees. The trip fee advertised is the fee each individual pays. 

Refunds/Cancellations

University Recreation reserves the right to cancel a program due to inclement weather, lack of participation, natural disasters, or extenuating circumstances. Sometimes trip pricing includes outside reservation or activity fees; these fees are non-refundable.

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Summer 2024 Trips:

Trips for Summer 2024 will be announced soon. 

Learn what outdoor climbing is really like! Meet Govs Outdoors staff at the bluffs, and they'll set up the ropes, belay and give instruction. Kings Bluff is located right here in Clarksville, and is a great introduction to the world of outdoor climbing. On the fence about one of our other climbing trips? Why not try out? The best part is it's free (you must still register so we know how many people to expect).

 

Dates: 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26 & 11/16/2024

Price: FREE

Registration Deadline: 5 PM, the Friday before the trip

Requires Foy Center Climbing Membership

 

Register Here!

Join the Govs Outdoor Adventure Team for a float on the beautiful Red River, just down the road in Adams, TN. The GOATs will provide boats and equipment, and some paddling instruction. This is a casual, relaxing float in a beautiful location. We intend to canoe, but if you have experience with paddleboards, or kayaks, we can provide these as well.

 

Dates: 9/14/2024

Price: $20

Registration Deadline: 9/9/2024

Pre-Trip Meeting: 9/11/2024

 

Register Here!

Learn how to ride off-road on two wheels and sample some of Clarksville's own mountain bike trails. This trip is geared towards beginning mountain bikers and casual cyclists, but this class is not meant to teach you how to ride a bike. 

 

Dates: 9/28/2024

Price: $30

Registration Deadline: 9/23/2024

Pre-Trip Meeting: 9/25/2024

 

Register Here!

Witness the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains in a whole new way! In this backpacking adventure, Govs Outdoors will lead you on a 3-day trek through the Smokies. Vistas, meadows and mountains await. This is a suitable trip for anyone, including those who are new to backpacking.

 

Dates: 10/11 - 10/14/2024

Price: $150

Registration Deadline: 9/30/2024

Pre-Trip Meeting: 10/2 & 10/9/2024

 

Register Here!

In this Govs Outdoors adventure, we will travel to one of the premier climbing areas near Clarksville. Jackson Falls provides high quality, accessible climbing in a beautiful location. Govs Outdoors provides all the gear, setup and climbing coaching while on-site!

 

Dates: 11/2 - 11/3/2024

Price: $65

Registration Deadline: 10/28/2024

Pre-Trip Meeting: 10/30/2024

 

Register Here!

 

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The Rock at APSU

Climbing at the Rock at APSU requires a climbing membership. All you need to do is visit the Rock during staffed hours to receive a free orientation. Top-rope and autobelay climbing are available from 2-6pm Monday thru Friday. Open bouldering is available for climbing members anytime the Foy is open.

The Rock features a 12-foot free-standing boulder and a 26-foot roped climbing wall with two autobelay devices. Both the boulder and the wall have climbs suitable for total beginners and advanced climbers alike.  

No experience, no problem. Our staff is available during open hours to assist those new to climbing. New climbers will go through a short orientation to become familiar with the Rock's policies. All necessary equipment is provided for free. 

Belay Training

Belaying is managing the rope while a climber is on the wall and belay certification is available to all climbing members. Belay certified climbers can belay each other and do not need staff assistance to top-rope. 

Belay classes are $5. Fall and Spring belay class schedules will be released on the first day of classes, while Summer semester classes will be based on interest. Belaying is a critical skill in rock climbing. Our class will cover technique, equipment and some common errors to watch out for. Once you are fully belay certified, you can belay at the Foy without staff assistance.

JUMP SCARE '24! Halloween Dyno Comp!

We are bringing back our spookyween climbing event for another year! This Halloween, join us at the Rock from 2 - 6 PM in your best costume and show off your rock-hopping skills! A 'dyno' is a jumping move in rock climbing, so this competition will be based on single-move challenges involving jumping from one hold to another. We will have dynos of all difficulty levels. 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

No! All Govs Outdoors programs are designed to be accessible to people unfamiliar with the activity type. That being said, you may find you are better suited to some activities as opposed to others. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you can think of before the trip so that you can better assess your readiness to take on a new activity 

You should choose a trip based on the activities you are interested in exploring and what that activity’s challenges will be for you. All trips will have their own elements of challenge, and they may not be what you initially think of. Many backpackers find they are not deterred by the physical challenges of walking several miles, but by camping in colder weather and eating less glamorous meals than they were expecting. If you are unsure about the nature of any trip, ask Govs Outdoors Staff. We encourage you to welcome challenges, but ultimately, we want you to enjoy the adventure you choose.

It always depends. Most overnight trips will involve camping, but every now and then we will spend a night in a cabin or hotel. The best source of information is always going to be the Govs Outdoors Staff. Ask about the specific trip(s) you're interested in, and they will let you know what to expect. 

Govs Outdoors trips are planned with students in mind, but anyone with a Foy membership may register. Your membership must be active the day you register, and the entire duration of the trip. 

  • Full refunds will be granted under the following conditions: 
    • A trip that is cancelled by Govs Outdoors for weather, low participation, or other extenuating circumstances. 
    • A trip is full, has an active waitlist, and another participant is willing to take your spot. 
    • Cancellations 3 weeks in advance of the registration deadline. 
    • Family/medical/personal emergencies will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the Govs Outdoors Coordinator and Assistant Director.  
  • Cancellations 2 weeks in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 75% refund 
  • Cancellations 1 week in advance of a trip's registration deadline will be eligible for a 50% refund. 
  • Cancellations within a week of a trip's registration deadline will not be eligible for a refund.

We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. Food options are always discussed at Pre-Trip Meetings. If you have a food allergy, you must let us know so we can take preventive measures.

It always depends. Almost all trips will have access to facilities at some point, but not constantly. A climbing site may have restrooms at the trailhead, but not in the climbing area. A backcountry trip may stop at a hotel during travel, but will have no facilities on-trail. However, even on backcountry trips, we prioritize sanitation, and when necessary we will teach participants how to use the backcountry bathroom.

Please do not wait for the Pre-Trip Meeting to begin preparing for your trip. The best people to contact are Govs Outdoors Staff. They have usually done the trip before, and can give you detailed information about how it went, what you’ll need, where people had trouble, etc. Our adventures are accessible to beginners, so the best preparation is mental. Depending on the trip, you may encounter new sources of discomfort, and being open to new challenges is part of the process.

All specialized equipment is provided. To us, this means gear that the average person cannot be expected to provide (i.e. climbing harness, backpacking packs, trekking poles). You will be responsible for personal items, such as clothing and toiletries, but not including specialized clothing such as a rain jacket. You will be expected to provide a bag to pack these items in, unless it is something like a backpacking trip.  

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