Recreation Services

If you have been to Flagstaff, you know NAU has always been a place for folks who love the outdoors.  Prior to the 1985, Outdoor Adventures, formally known as NAU Outdoors, was an informal club with oversight from ASNAU.  In the mid/late-1980's after a few years of discussion, Campus Recreation Services (CRS) gained approval from ASNAU to assume responsibilities over a small gear rental and trip program. With a very seasoned stock of bikes, cross-country ski gear, and camping equipment; we converted the storage area in the original Rec Center and began the new NAU Outdoors program under CRS. Although it started as a small rental and programming shop, we had grand plans of what it could, and ultimately has, become. Our first full-time Outdoors staff member was Dave Wescott. A little trivia; during his time with NAU, Dave was also the consultant for Tom Hanks and the production crew for the movie Castaway. It was under Dave's supervision and with some in-kind donations from APS that the original challenge course was constructed. Another key player in the growth of NAU Outdoors was Justin Wood. During Justin's tenure, the program was able to expand both the trips and challenge course program. With the help of Andy Bourget, the challenge course became a significantly larger component of NAU Outdoors and a full-time position was created.  In 2005, with the support of many individuals, NAU received a generous gift of a commercial permit for the San Juan River.  This gift created the River Program...  More information to come.   If you can add to this history, please email outdoors@nau.edu