Hollins University

Hollins Outdoor Program

 

If you enjoy the outdoors, with some adventure thrown in, then the Hollins Outdoor Program -- or HOP -- is for you. HOP combines adventure, education, self-awareness, and leadership all into one fun, exciting program.

HOP and Hollins: A natural fit

• Located in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the university is a ten-minute drive from the Appalachian Trail, with endless opportunities for hiking and camping. Visit www.roanokeoutside.com to learn more about outdoor activities in the Roanoke area.
• The James River, just 20 minutes from campus, offers a wide variety of paddling and fishing opportunities.
• The New River Gorge, home to some of the best rock climbing and white-water paddling on the East Coast, is just two hours from the university.
• The many caves of the Appalachian region provide exploring opportunities year-round.
• During ski season, the slopes of the Homestead, Wintergreen, and Snowshoe ski resorts beckon Hollins students, faculty and staff.
• HOP annually hosts the National Paddling Film Festival Roadshow. The festival features "best-of" videos from NPFF’s festivals in which amateur and professional videographers capture thrilling footage of whitewater canoeing and kayaking adventures. More »

 

The outdoor program boasts an indoor climbing wall and a full-service outing center, with maps and all kinds of equipment for rent. Staff members and trained student instructors lead you safely on a wide range of adventures, from rock climbing excursions to caving expeditions, from hikes to white-water rafting.

Trips for every interest and skill level

We offer exciting trips every month that are designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced participants. These trips range from backpacking and canoeing to caving, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. Click here to view a slideshow of HOP activities.

 

HOP Mission Statement

The Hollins Outdoor Program aspires to improve the quality of student life by providing opportunities to try alternate forms of recreation and increase respect for the local resources and the natural environment. HOP also assists members of the Hollins community accomplish individual and group goals through adventure programming.

Wilderness Orientation Program

Before you begin your official Hollins adventure, first-year students can have an outdoor adventure with HOP. Led by HOP director Jon Guy Owens and three experienced Hollins students, the five-day wilderness orientation program will take you scaling the high ropes course at Camp Roanoke and canoeing down the James River. You’ll even get to run the rapids of Balcony Falls. You’ll also receive instruction in basic outdoor living skills. Best of all, you’ll meet other students who just might turn out to be some of your best Hollins friends.

 

Charlotte Fox Climbing Wall

Named for renowned mountain climber and Hollins alumna Charlotte Fox, the climbing wall is located in the upper gymnasium. The climbing wall is free to members of the Hollins community and requires no experience or equipment. Students can bring one guest free of charge. The cost for additional guests and outside participants not accompanied by a Hollins student or employee is $7.

 

Hollins Outdoor Leadership Certificate

Hollins also offers the The Hollins Outdoor Leadership Certificate (HOLC) and the Wilderness Education Association’s National Standards Course. More information...

American Canoe Association Downriver Racing Canoe Team

A dedicated group of Hollins women compete in the Collegiate Canoe & Kayak National Championships which is a series of whitewater races conducted by the American Canoe Association. We travel to a variety of rivers in the Southeast to meet up with other universities and compete with like-minded students who love paddle sports. In 2009-10, the Hollins team racked up many top-10 finishes and a first place in women’s kayaking.

 

Wilderness Institute Course and Baja Wilderness Experience, Baja California

Hollins is the first and only all-women’s affiliate of the Wilderness Education Association. As an accredited member of the WEA, HOP offers outdoor courses based on wilderness leadership. Wilderness Institute is a 28-day course that provides students the opportunity to go caving in Virginia, backpacking and rock climbing in North Carolina, and whitewater canoeing in South Carolina. The Baja Wilderness Experience takes students to one of the most beautiful areas on earth, where they go sea kayaking and whale watching in the Gulf of California and backpacking on burros through amazing canyons with 10,000-year-old cave murals—all while experiencing the warm and inviting culture of Baja California and discussing issues of sustainability and globalization. This course follows the curriculum established with the WEA, which consists of leadership development, technical skill training, teaching opportunities, and environmental and cultural awareness education, with the overarching goal of training outdoor leaders.

 

HOP is also affiliated with the following organizations:
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide. All of the trips offered by the Hollins Outdoor Program are run based upon the Seven Principals of Outdoor Ethics.

American Mountain Guides Association The AMGA is the premier source for training, credentials, and services for professional mountain guides and climbing instructors in the United States. Since 2003, Hollins has been running its climbing trips to the stringent standards set forth but the AMGA.

January Short Term 2013 offerings include:

• January 12: Rock climbing at Bozoo Rocks ($20)
• January 19: Caving in Blacksburg ($20)
• January 26:- Day hike to Apple Orchard Falls ($7)
  
  

Spring 2013 offerings include:

• February 16: Caving at Starnes Cave ($20)
• February 23: Sunset hike at Sharp Top ($10)
• March 9: Climbing at Goshen Pass ($15)
• March 10: Bouldering at McAfee's Knob ($10)
• March 29 - 31: ACA Downriver Collegiate National Championships, Sylva, NC
• April 7: Canoeing on the James River ($15)
• April 13: Kayaking on the James River ($20)
• April 28: Caving at Pig Hole ($20)