Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation works to create and support a UMaine community that is healthy, engaged, and physically active by offering fun and challenging recreational programs with world-class customer service, a welcoming environment, and exceptional facilities. Campus Recreation hosts and organizes many sports, fitness, and recreational programs and events for students, staff, and community members. They also offer several camps and programs for children throughout the year including swimming lessons and summer camps. The online Campus Recreation calendar advertises various special events such as races as well as regularly scheduled events such as fitness courses, so check it regularly to avoid missing out! Information about events can also be found advertised in the Rec Center.
The Campus Recreation Vision:
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- Create a welcoming environment in all facilities, programs, and services.
- Provide education and opportunities for participants and staff to learn, grow, and develop skills through participation, leadership, and training experiences
- Responsibly manage environmental, human, and fiscal resources to support continuous programming
- Help people make positive, lasting changes in their lives through excellent programs, services, and facilities that support the health and well being of our campus and community
- Exemplify high quality, caring service
- Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of participants
- Ensure that programs are fun to participate in, learn from, and grow with
Alfond Arena
Alfond Arena is usually used for hockey games, hockey team practice, and figure skating club activities, but it also hosts regular Free Skate and Stick & Puck programs throughout the year. Free Skates welcome both novice and experienced skaters to skate recreationally. These events can be a fun activity for both friends and groups. The Arena also offers affordable ice skate rentals and sharpening services.
New Balance Student Recreation Center
The New Balance Recreation Center houses a pool, hot tub, sauna, indoor track, several versatile sports courts, and high quality exercise facilities. The Center hosts many types of athletic, exercise, and fitness programming for the benefit of students, staff, and community members. The pool facilities are open for general use for certain periods of time which are kept posted. Various student, adult, and senior swim lessons, classes, and programs are held at the pool throughout the year. Students and members have access to the Center’s exercise machines and equipment. Campus Recreation facilitates many group exercise classes which may be swimming, yoga, dance, intensive exercise, boxing, or cycling related. There are many programs which appeal to a diverse array of interests. Session based fitness programs last 6-12 weeks, are geared towards people of all ages, and involve many different activities. Participants can sign up online, by phone, or at the front desk of the Rec Center. Participation in group programs is generally on a first come, first served basis. There are also many services available for those looking into improving their personal fitness such as equipment orientations, personal fitness assessments, and individualized training at the Center.
Maine Bound
Maine Bound has a popular indoor rock-climbing center where instructors provide support and instruction for all participants, as well as host clinics, lessons, and programs related to climbing skills. Maine Bound also hosts many trips, events, and training throughout the year which involve activities such as outdoor rock climbing, paddling, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and mountain biking. Outdoor gear can be expensive and difficult to store on campus, but students have access to affordable rental equipment such as canoes, kayaks, personal floatation devices, wetsuits, helmets, rooftop kits (for cars with no boat transportation capacity), tents, camping gear, mountaineering gear, snowshoes, and ski gear through Maine Bound.
The Outdoor Leadership Program provides a foundational understanding of outdoor leadership and is great for people looking to work at Maine Bound, in the outdoors, or in the fields of outdoor recreation, parks, and recreation. Many clubs and organizations participate in Challenge Courses, which are organized outdoor activities or group climb events, both of which are teambuilding and recreational experiences. Each year, Maine Bound facilitates several Black Bear Bound trips which last 3-6 days right before the beginning of the fall semester. THese trips are considered first year orientation programs. Trips are arranged to help new students get oriented, build friendships, and experience Maine’s natural wonder. Trips have focused on areas such as the Penobscot River, Baxter State Park, and Acadia National Park.
Sports
Campus Recreation oversees intramural and extracurricular sports on campus. Sports clubs are student run and organized, though they may receive funding from Campus Recreation after a certain period of activity and with a sufficient level of student interest/enrollment. There are more than 20 different sports clubs on campus, so there are plenty of options no matter your interest. Campus Recreation also manages intramural sports on campus. More information about events, attendance, and participation can be found on IMLeagues.com/UMaine.
