This year marks the 25th anniversary of Iowa State’s outdoor recreation program.

The Outdoor Recreation Center, located in Room 43 of the Armory, employs 10 students this summer. But usually about 25 students are on the payroll, said Audra McBride, manager of the recreation center.

McBride also said Iowa State’s outdoor recreation program is unique because “the students do most of the work,” including equipment rentals and acting as guides on trips.

Many Iowa State students might not be aware of the variety of equipment available for rental. The list includes canoes, sailboats, rowboats, tents, backpacks, stoves, cross country skis, ice skates, game equipment, and more. The equipment can be reserved in advanced, McBride said, and can by checked out for a day or a weekend for a minimal fee.

McBride said the popularity of equipment depends on the season. Last weekend, all 50 canoes were rented, as well as all 50 four-person tents.

The program began in 1972 with a few canoes stored in Beyer Hall, McBride said. For the first year, the Government of the Student Body allocated the program just $4,000.

“Now the equipment inventory is valued above $400,000,” McBride said.

Outdoor Recreation started out as just an equipment rental, with trips being added later, McBride said. This summer, the program is sponsoring 11 workshops, six weekend trips and one extended trip.

Two weekend trips remain on the summer schedule; a canoeing trip and a horseback riding trip. The canoeing trip to the Upper Iowa River is scheduled for this coming weekend. Four spots were still available as of Monday.

“The Upper Iowa was cited by National Geographic as one of the most scenic rivers in the United States,” McBride said.

McBride said the horseback riding trip on Aug. 9 will be the first ever for the program. Depending on how it goes, they might try more horseback expeditions.

The average trip cost is around $20 for students and $45 for faculty and staff. McBride said she could “safely say it would cost about twice as much” to take a similar trip independently.

In the future, the program will be branching out and spending more time on publicity, trying to encourage university-affiliated groups such as the alumni association to rent equipment, McBride said. In addition, she is also considering starting family programs.