After the semester ends, some Iowa State students will be taking a break with ISU’s Outdoor Recreation program.

Sylvia Wlodarski, student equipment supervisor at the Outdoor Recreation Center and junior in animal ecology, said the Outdoor Recreation Center is planning an extended trip that will take place over the upcoming semester break.

“It is going to be a two-week trip to Copper Canyon in Mexico,” she said.

The emphasis of the trip will be hiking and mountain biking in Copper Canyon. The canyon, which is four times the size of the Grand Canyon, will offer a challenge to outdoor enthusiasts, Wlodarski said.

People can still sign up for the trip, which costs $400 for students and $525 for faculty, she said.

Outdoor Rec offers several weekend and extended trips each semester for students looking to escape from Ames, Wlodarski said. Past weekend trips have included activities such as caving and rappelling in the Maquoketa Caves State Park and canoeing on the Boone River.

Tim Bersie-Mize, assistant manager of the Outdoor Recreation Center and graduate student in educational leadership and policy studies, said planning is in progress for a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

He said the center offers more than trips, however.

“The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Center is to give participants an introduction to the outdoor scene through trips, workshops and also through equipment rental,” Bersie-Mize said.

Wlodarski said equipment available for rental includes water craft, camping supplies, game equipment and winter-sports equipment.

She said the workshops teach basic skills.

“For workshops, [Outdoor Rec] provides a packet of information, answers any questions people may have and provides basic skills on the activity,” Wlodarski said.

The Outdoor Recreation Center offers instructional workshops in canoeing, skiing, backpacking, orienteering and outdoor cooking. Climbing and kayaking workshops are some of the most popular programs offered by Outdoor Rec, Bersie-Mize said.

He said Outdoor Rec also operates a resource center to help students research outdoor information.

“The resource center is where people can come in and receive information about national parks and national forests and equipment information,” he said.

Bersie-Mize said the Outdoor Recreation Center was created in response to student demand.

“[It started] in 1972 with a $4,500 allotment from the Government of the Student Body,” he said. The original funding enabled the Outdoor Recreation Center to purchase a few canoes and tents and small amounts of other outdoor equipment.

Since its founding, Outdoor Rec has experienced rapid growth in its programs and inventory.

“Our equipment inventory now totals more than $400,000,” Bersie-Mize said.

Students interested in learning more about Outdoor Rec and its programs are encouraged to visit the center, which is located in Room 43 of the Armory, Wlodarski said.

It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Fee assessments vary according to the rental or the program, Bersie-Mize said. Full payment is required for rentals before the equipment may be released.