IT’STIMETO THRIVE
THE VITAL ROLE OF OUTDOOR CAMPUS
RECREATION TO ENHANCE THE WELLBEING OF EVERY COLLEGE STUDENT
C A MPUS RECREATI O N 2025 REPORT
Contents UnderstandingtheCore NeedsandChallenges
OutdoorRecreationasa BridgetoCampusLife
TheSynergyBetween OutdoorEngagementand AcademicPerformance
CultivatingCommunity: FosteringBelonging ThroughOutdoorActivities
ChampioningInclusivity: EnsuringEquitableAccess toOutdoorRecreation
AHolisticApproach: IntegratingPhysicalFitness withMentalandEmotional Well-beingPrograms
TheEvidenceBase: EvaluatingtheImpactof CampusRecreation Programs
ExemplaryPrograms: ModelsofSuccessin UtilizingOutdoor Recreation
Introduction
Thelandscapeofhighereducationinthe UnitedStatesisincreasinglymarkedbya significantandconcerningtrend:arisein mentalhealthchallengesamongcollege students Statisticaldatarevealsthata substantialproportionofstudentsgrapple withanxiety,depression,and overwhelmingpsychologicaldistress This prevalenceunderscoresanurgentneedfor proactiveandpreventativemeasuresthat extendbeyondthetraditionalreachof campuscounselingservices
campus recreation departments are emerging as pivotal players in fostering holistic student well-being
Inthiscontext,campusrecreation departmentsareemergingaspivotal playersinfosteringholisticstudentwellbeing Theirrolehasevolvedconsiderably fromaprimaryfocusonsportsand physicalactivitytoencompassamore comprehensiveapproachthatintegrates physical,mental,andsocialhealth Outdoorrecreationpresentsunique opportunitiestosupportstudents' adjustmenttouniversitylife,enhancetheir academicperformance,cultivateasenseof belonging,andcontributetotheiroverall well-being.
Thisreportdelvesintotheneedsof campusrecreationdepartmentsinU.S. collegesanduniversities,particularly emphasizinghowcampusrecreation teamscanstrategicallyutilizethis informationtoaddressthesecritical studentneeds
UnderstandingtheCoreNeedsand Challenges
Theescalatingmentalhealthcrisisoncollege campusesisapressingconcern.Studiesindicatethat analarming60%ofstudentsreportexperiencing anxiety. Depressionratesaresimilarlyhigh,affecting approximately40%ofstudents. Mostconcerning, over75%ofcollegestudentsreportmoderateto seriouspsychologicaldistress. Thesestatisticsare compoundedbyhighratesoflonelinessand,inthe mostseverecases,suicidalideation Themagnitude ofthesechallengesnecessitatesreadilyaccessible avenuesformentalhealthsupportwithinthe universityenvironment
Beyondthesebroadmentalhealthconcerns, studentsfaceamyriadofstressorsinherenttothe collegeexperience Academicpressurescan significantlyimpactmentalwell-being. Transitioning tocollegebringsaboutsocialadjustments,navigating newrelationships,andadaptingtoanunfamiliar environment.Financialconcernsandthegeneral pressuresoftransitioningfromadolescenceto adulthoodfurtherincreasestudentstresslevels. Thesepressurescanexacerbateexistingmental healthissuesandnegativelyaffectacademic performance,underscoringtheimportanceof resourcesthatequipstudentswithcoping mechanismsandfosterresilience
Evenwhencampusrecreationprogramsareavailable, studentsmayencounterbarrierstoparticipation Lack oftime,oftenduetothecompetingdemandsof academics,workschedules,andpersonal responsibilities,isasignificantobstacle Socialanxiety andaperceivedlackofacceptanceinrecreational settingscanalsodeterstudentsfromengagingin theseactivities. Understandingthesebarriersis essentialforcampusrecreationdepartmentsto developeffectivestrategiestoencouragebroader studentengagement.
Collegestudentswhoexperience depression
Collegestudentswithmoderateto seriouspsychologicaldistress
Collegestudentswhoreportanxiety
Furthermore,campusrecreationdepartmentsoftenoperateunderbudgetaryandresource constraintsthatcanlimitthescopeandreachoftheirprogramming Thisreality necessitatesinnovativeandcost-effectivesolutions,suchasmaximizingtheuseofreadily availableoutdoorspacesandforgingcollaborativepartnershipsacrosscampusandintothe broadercommunity
OutdoorRecreationasaBridgetoCampusLife
Recognizingtheuniquechallengesfacedbynewandincomingstudents,manyuniversities haveimplementedfirst-yearoutdoororientationprogramstoeasethetransitiontocollege life.Theseprogramsofteninvolveoutdooradventuressuchashiking,camping,kayaking, andclimbing,providingasocialandmemorableexperiencefornewstudents.
Forinstance,LoyolaUniversityMarylandoffersan"OutdoorAdventures"pre-fallprogram wherefirst-yearstudentsexplorethenaturalworld,reflectontheirupcomingcollege experience,andparticipateinvariousadventureactivities. Similarly,OhioUniversity's"New Adventures"programprovidesincomingstudentswiththeopportunitytochoosefrom backpacking,rockclimbing,orcanoeingtripsinscenicwildernessareasbeforethestartof theirfirstsemester TheUniversityofRedlands'"FirstYearJourney"programoffersavariety ofoutdoorexperiencesdesignedtopromoteconnection,community,andpersonalgrowth fornewstudents WeberStateUniversityhasteamedupitsFirstYearExperienceprogram withOutdoor&CommunityRecreationEducationtoofferauniqueFYEOutdoorExperience thatcombinescollegesuccessskillswithbackcountryskillsandleadershipdevelopment UtahStateUniversity's"NaturalBridgesFreshmanWildernessExperience"expandsonthis trend,offeringbackpackingandcanoeingtripstohelpincomingfirst-yearstudentsconnect withtheirnewenvironmentandwithpeers
Beyondimmediateadjustment,theseprogramsalsobuildfoundationalskillsthatcontribute toastudent'spreparednessforcollegelife Participantsmaylearnbackcountryskills, enhancetheirleadershipabilitiesthroughteamwork-basedactivities,anddevelopagreater senseofresiliencethroughovercomingchallengesintheoutdoors Theseskillsextend beyondthespecificoutdooractivity,fosteringvaluableproblem-solvingabilitiesinacademic andsocialcontexts.
Thesharedexperiencesintheseoutdoorsettingsfacilitateearlysocialconnections,allowing newstudentstobondwiththeirpeersandbuildasenseofcommunityevenbeforethe traditionalacademicyearbegins.Thesefriendshipsarecriticalinhelpingnewstudentsfind theirsenseofbelonginginanewcampusenvironment.
TheSynergyBetweenOutdoorEngagementandAcademic Performance
Thebenefitsofoutdoorrecreationextendbeyondsocialintegration.Inmanycases,it positivelyinfluencesacademicperformance.Spendingtimeinnaturalenvironmentscan improvecognitivefunction,includingenhancedconcentrationandattentionrestoration. Exposuretonatureisapowerfulstressreducer,loweringcortisollevelsandalleviatinganxiety, creatingamoreconduciveenvironmentforlearningandacademicsuccess Theimproved moodandoverallsenseofwell-beingassociatedwithoutdooractivitycanalsocontributeto increasedmotivationandengagementinacademicstudies
Evidencesuggestsastrongcorrelationbetweenparticipationincampusrecreationand positiveacademicoutcomes Studentswhofrequentlyusecampusrecreationfacilitiesare morelikelytostayinschool,performbetterintheirclasses,andgraduateontime Studies haveindicatedthatinvolvementincampusrecreationactivitiescansignificantlyincrease studentretentionrates. Thisconnectionhighlightsthesignificantreturnoninvestmentfor universitiesthatprioritizeandsupportrobustcampusrecreationprograms,includingdiverse outdooroptions.
Someuniversitiesstrategicallyintegrateoutdoorrecreationprogramswithspecificacademic curricula. Fieldssuchasenvironmentalscience,kinesiology,andleadershipstudiescan significantlybenefitfromincorporatingoutdoorexperiencesasaformofdirectapplication andexperientialengagement.Forexample,acourseondisabilityandsocietyatthe UniversityofWashingtonutilizesoutdoorsportswithmembersofthedisabilitycommunity aspartofthecoursework,providingstudentswithapowerfullearningopportunityabout accessanddisabilityjusticeinrecreationspaces Thisintegrationnotonlyenhanceslearning butalsoprovidesreal-worldcontextandpracticalapplicationoftheoreticalknowledge
CultivatingCommunity: FosteringBelongingThrough
OutdoorActivities
Acriticalaspectofstudentwell-beingisthe feelingofconnectionandbelongingwithin theuniversitycommunity.Outdoor recreationprogramsareparticularly effectiveincreatingopportunitiesfor studentstomeetnewpeople,build meaningfulrelationships,andformlasting friendships. Sharedexperiencesinan outdoorsettingprovidearelaxedand informalopportunitytobreakdownsocial barriersandhelpstudentsconnect
Participationinoutdoorrecreationcan significantlycombatfeelingsofisolation andloneliness,fosteringastrongersenseof communityandacceptanceamong students Byprovidingwelcomingspaces andactivities,campusrecreation departmentsplayavitalroleinaddressing thehighratesoflonelinessreportedby collegestudents.Engagingingroup outdooractivitiescreatesasenseofshared purpose,directlycounteractingfeelingsof isolationandpromotingsocialintegration.
Universitiesemploycreativeprogramsto fosterthissenseofbelongingthrough outdooractivities ClemsonUniversity's CampusRecreationoffersexperiences suchas"WellnessontheWater"paddle boardingandkayakingexercises,aswellas grouphikesandwell-beingmini-retreats forstudentorganizations Thesediverse programscatertovariousinterestsand provideavenuesforstudentstoconnect withoneanotherandwiththenatural environment.Inturn,thishelpsstrengthen theirtiestothecampuscommunity.
ChampioningInclusivity:EnsuringEquitableAccesstoOutdoor Recreation
Afundamentalprincipleofeffectivecampusrecreationisensuringequitableaccessforall students,regardlessoftheirabilitiesorbackgrounds Manyuniversitiesareactivelydeveloping andimplementingadaptiverecreationprogramsspecificallydesignedforstudentswith disabilities. TheUniversityofCentralFlorida,forexample,offersstudent-assistedworkouts inpartnershipwiththeirphysicaltherapyacademicunit. TheUniversityofCalifornia Berkeleyprovidesarangeofinclusiverecreationprograms,includingadaptivesportslike wheelchairbasketball,goalball,andadaptiveclimbing,ensuringthatstudentsofallabilities canparticipateinandbenefitfromrecreationalactivities.
Partnershipswithexternalorganizationscansignificantlyenhancethereachandimpactof inclusiveoutdoorprogramming TheUniversityofWashington collaborateswiththe OutdoorsforAllFoundation,aleadingproviderofadaptiveandinclusiverecreationservices, toofferoutdoorsportsopportunitiesforstudentsandcommunitymemberswithdisabilities Collaborationslikethesebringspecializedresourcestothecampus,enrichingtheofferings
OpportunityFundattheUniversityofCaliforniaBerkeley,whichhelpsstudentscoverfees forvariousrecreationalandwellnessactivities OhioUniversityalsooffersscholarshipsforits "NewAdventures"first-yearoutdoorprograms,ensuringthatcostisnotaprohibitivefactor forparticipation
Beyondprogrammingaccommodationsandfinancialassistance,akeyelementofinclusive recreationisdevelopingawelcomingandsupportiveenvironment -promotingacampus culturewhereallstudentsfeelcomfortableparticipatinginrecreationprograms,regardlessof theirbackground,identity,orability.
PhotobyJuanRodriguez,UniversityofWashington
AHolisticApproach:IntegratingPhysicalFitnesswithMentaland EmotionalWell-beingPrograms
Recognizingtheintrinsiclinkbetweenphysicalandmentalhealth,campusrecreation departmentsareadoptingaholisticapproachbyintegratingphysicalfitnessactivitieswith programstoenhancestudents'mentalandemotionalwell-being.Manyuniversitiesoffer initiativesthatcombinephysicalactivitywithmindfulnesspracticessuchasyoga, meditation,andbreathwork. TheUniversityofAlabamaatBirmingham,forinstance, offerstheSKYHappinessRetreat,whichintroducesbreathwork,meditation,andleadership developmentascorewellnesstools. ClevelandStateUniversity'sShineWellprogram helpsstudentsexplorevariousdimensionsofwellness(mental,emotional,andphysical) andintegratesthemintodailylifethroughinitiativeslikeMidweekMindfulnessforstress relief
Creativeandthemededucationalcampaignsarealsobeingusedtohighlightthe connectionbetweenphysicalmovementandmentalhealth UCLA,forexample,utilizesa mascotofabrainperformingdifferentphysicalactivitiestopromotethislinkinafunand approachableway Theseeffortsraiseawareness,destigmatizementalhealthissues,and encouragestudentstoadopthealthybehaviorsthatbenefittheirmindsandbodies Collaborationsbetweencampusrecreationdepartmentsandcounselingandwellness centersarecrucialforprovidingintegratedsupportforstudents'holisticwell-being.
BellarmineUniversitycreatedaRelaxationStationinpartnershipwithothercampus officesandstudentclubstoprovidede-stressingopportunitiesforstudents. The UniversityofMissouri–St.Louishasregistereddieticiansandcounselorscollaboratingwith studentpeereducatorstoprovideinformationonhealthyrecipesandcopingstrategies. Thesepartnershipsensurethatstudentshaveaccesstoacomprehensiverangeof resourcesaddressingboththeirphysicalandmentalhealthneeds.
Someuniversitiesareincorporating dedicatedwellnessspaceswithintheir academicandrecreationfacilitiesto promoterelaxationandmentalwellbeing ClevelandStateUniversity featuresa7,000-square-footrooftop gardenthatconnectsstudentsto nature,promotingmindfulnessand reducingstress Otherinstitutions includesensoryroomsandmeditation spacestocreateenvironments encouragingbalanceandenhancing overallqualityoflife.
38
We’vecompiledalistoftenstudiesfocusedonrecreationprogramsdesignedtoeasethe transitiontocollegelifeandcreateasenseofbelongingamongpeers Theirauthorsand keyfindingsarelistedinthetablebelow Thesestudiesandrelatedprogramsrevealthat studentswhoparticipatedrealizedgreatersocialinteraction,enhancedwell-being,anda positiveattitudetowardtheuniversity
Study Authors & Year
Forrester, 2015
Kampf & Teske, 2013
Miller, 2011
Zegre et al, 2020
Bowen et al, 2014
Key Findings
Participation in campus recreation contributed to improved perceptions of overall health and well-being, ability to manage stress, sense of belonging, time management, and academic success
Student involvement in club activities offered by the recreation center was twice as likely to result in students remaining at the university until graduation.
A significant relationship existed between student involvement in recreation center activities and student retention
A positive and significant relationship was found between university recreation facility involvement and the retention of full-time undergraduate students.
Participation in a 10-week wilderness adventure therapy program significantly reduced college students' psychological stress levels
Recreation Program Type
Evaluated
General campus recreation sports programs
Student recreation center and club activities
General student recreation center activities
University recreation facility use
Wilderness adventure therapy program
Study Authors & Year
Mutz & Müller, 2016
Bell & Holmes, 2011
Mittelstaedt, 2010
Eubank & DeVita, 2021
Larson et al, 2021a
Key Findings
Long hikes increased adolescents' and university students' life satisfaction, happiness, mindfulness, and self-efficacy and decreased perceived stress
Outdoor orientation programs fostered increased trust among participants and contributed to student success through trip setting, group size, participants, and peer leadership
Outdoor orientation programs positively impacted students' sense of place and community, and these two factors were linked
Barriers to campus recreation sports participation included lack of time, anxiety about social evaluation, and perceived lack of acceptance
Highlighted the wide range of health benefits that outdoor recreation and park use might provide, particularly during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic
Recreation Program Type
Evaluated
Long hiking trips
Outdoor orientation programs
Outdoor orientation programs
General campus recreation sports programs
Outdoor recreation and park use
TheEvidenceBase:EvaluatingtheImpactofCampusRecreation Programs
Agrowingbodyofresearchsupportsthepositiveimpactofcampusrecreationprograms, particularlyoutdooractivities,onvariousaspectsofstudentwell-being Studieshave consistentlydemonstratedthatparticipationincampusrecreationcansignificantlyreduce stress,anxiety,anddepression,improvingoverallpsychologicalwell-being. Forexample, researchduringtheCOVID-19pandemicindicatedthatcollegestudentswhomaintainedor increasedtheiruseofoutdoorspacesreportedlowerlevelsofemotionaldistress. Another studyhighlightedthatuniversitystudents'participationinoutdoorrecreationcontributedto emotionalandcognitiverenewal,strengthenedsocialrelationships,andrelievedthenegative physiologicaleffectsofstress. Outdooradventureshavealsoplayedakeyroleinenhancing students’mood,overallqualityoflife,andsocialrelationships.
Perhapsmostimportantly,researchindicatesastrongcorrelationbetweenparticipationin recreationprogramsandanincreasedsenseofbelonging Thiselementofinclusionislikelya majorcontributortohigherstudentretentionrates Studentswhousestudentrecreation centersfrequentlyaremorelikelytofeelasenseofbelongingtoboththerecreationcenter andtheuniversity,leadingtogreaterintegrationandretention Studiesshowthat involvementincampusrecreationprogramscansignificantlyincreasethelikelihoodof studentsremainingattheuniversityuntilgraduation
ExemplaryPrograms:ModelsofSuccessinUtilizingOutdoor Recreation
Severaluniversitieshavedevelopedexemplaryprogramsthateffectivelyutilizeoutdoor recreationtoaddressstudentneedsrelatedtoadjustment,academicsuccess,belonging, andoverallwell-being Programsthatfocusonleadershipdevelopmentoftenintegrate outdoorchallengestoprovidestudentswithopportunitiesforpersonalgrowthandskillbuilding Theseprogramsinvolveextendedwildernessexpeditions,team-basedproblemsolvingactivities,andreflectionsessionstoenhanceleadershipcapacities
WhilenotaU.S.example,immersiveoutdooreducationexperiences,suchastheoneat PymbleLadiesCollege(Pymble,Australia),demonstratetheprofoundimpactofextended timeinoutdoorsettingsonfosteringresilience,confidence,andconnectedness. These programsofteninvolvestudentslivingandlearningoutdoorsforseveralweeks,promoting self-relianceandstrongpeerrelationships.
Collaborativeprogramsthatleveragepartnershipsbetweencampusrecreationandother departmentsorexternalorganizationsyieldinnovativeandimpactfulresults The UniversityofWashington'spartnershipwiththeOutdoorsforAllFoundationtoprovide inclusiverecreationopportunitiesisaprimeexampleofhowcollaborationcanexpand programreachandexpertise Similarly,theUniversityofCentralFlorida'scollaboration betweenitsrecreationdepartmentandphysicaltherapyprogramtoofferstudent-assisted workoutsdemonstratesthebenefitsofinterdepartmentalpartnerships
Finally,programstailoredtoaddress specificstudentneedscanbeparticularly effective.OhioUniversity's"New Adventures"programspecificallytargets first-yearstudentstoaidintheir adjustmenttocampuslife TheUniversity ofCaliforniaBerkeley's comprehensive, inclusiverecreationofferingsaredesigned tofosterbelongingandprovideequitable accessforstudentswithdisabilities These targetedapproachesrecognizethediverse needsofthestudentbodyandaimto providerelevantandimpactfuloutdoor recreationopportunities.
Conclusionand Recommendations
CampusrecreationdepartmentsinU.S. collegesanduniversitiesplayavitalrolein supportingstudentwell-being.Themental healthchallengesstudentsface,coupled withthepressuresofacademiclifeandthe transitiontoadulthood,necessitate comprehensiveandinnovativeapproaches tostudentsupport Outdoorrecreation offersapowerfulavenueforaddressing theseneeds,providinguniquephysicaland emotionalhealthbenefitsforstudents, easingthetransitiontocollegelife,and creatingasenseofbelonging
Theevidenceclearlyindicatesastrong correlationbetweenparticipationin campusrecreation,particularlyoutdoor activities,andimprovedstudentoutcomes. Tomaximizethepositiveimpactontheir studentpopulations,campusrecreation departmentsshouldconsiderthefollowing recommendations:
Prioritizeandinvestinoutdoor recreationprogramming: Allocate adequateresourcestodevelopadiverse rangeofaccessibleandinclusive outdooractivitiesandfacilities, recognizingthesignificantreturnon investmentinstudentwell-beingand success.
Integratementalhealthand emotionalwell-beinginitiatives: Intentionallycombinemindfulness practices,stressreductiontechniques, andeducationalcomponentsrelatedto mentalhealthintooutdoorrecreation programstofosterholisticwell-being.
Enhanceinclusivityandaccessibility: Conductassessmentstounderstand barrierstoparticipationandimplement strategiestoensureequitableaccess, includingadaptiveprogrammingand financialassistance.
Fostercollaborations: Seek partnershipswithrelevantcampus departments,suchascounseling servicesandacademicaffairstoexpand thereachandresourcesavailablefor outdoorrecreationprograms.
Promotethebenefitsofoutdoor recreation: Implementoutreach strategiestoeducatestudentsabout thepositiveimpactsofengagingwith natureontheirphysical,mental,social, andacademicwell-being
Assessandevaluateprogram effectiveness:Regularlycollectdata andconductevaluationstomeasure theimpactofoutdoorprogramsonkey studentoutcomesanddemonstrate thevalueofyourinitiatives.
Developstudentleadership opportunities: Createintentional pathwaysforstudentstoleadoutdoor campusrecreationprograms. Cultivateawelcomingandinclusive culture: Investintrainingforstaffand studentleaderstopromotea supportive,respectful,andinclusive environmentwithinalloutdoor recreationprograms
Byembracingandstrategicallyleveraging thetransformativepowerofoutdoor campusrecreation,collegesand universitiescansignificantlyenhance students'well-being,fosteringahealthier, moreengaged,andthrivingcampus community.
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