Campus Recreation & Wellness Calendar

On this overnight trip, you will experience 8 miles of canoeing and riverside camping in Mammoth Cave National Park. Pack up your canoe at the Dennison Ferry Boat Access site and point your stern down river to be carried past dramatic bluffs, majestic trees, and wildlife.  The green river opens up to 200 ft wide and averages 10 ft deep. Experience nature as it existed when the early frontier was being discovered. Keep your eyes out for turkey, deer, beaver, all kinds of birds and reptiles as we make our journey downstream.

Even though the park is known for their caves, the surrounding park forest has an extraordinary density and diversity of plant life. Test your brain by identifying some common flora seen around the area such as the American Beech tree, rattlesnake fern, false aloe, and much more. Mammoth Cave National Park is a World Heritage Site and Biosphere reserve – allowing for a very divers ecosystem.  The dark cyan waters flow over hale and hearty populations of bass, sunfish, catfish and a bunch of turtles.  The Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park contains the most diverse population of freshwater mussels in North America, and one of the most diverse populations in the world.

ORAC will provide all camping and canoeing equipment, as well as transportation to and from the location.  All you need to worry about is your own clothes, foods, good attitude!  The route itself is very beginner friendly while still throwing in a few places to test your skills.

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Saturday, September 29^th:

1. Leave Preston Center Early A.M.
2. Arrive at Dennison Ferry Boat Launch
3. Paddle
4. Paddle some more
5. Eat Lunch
6. Paddle again
7. Someone will inevitably flip…
8. Set up camp, eat dinner

Sunday, September 30^th:

1. Eat breakfast and pack up camp
2. Paddle to Green River Ferry
3. Load canoes
4. Return to Preston Center

Come learn about the connection between fitness and nutrition! You will also be educated on what Campus Nutrition and the Health & Fitness Lab can provide! As always, there will be a nutritious snack. 

Rush through the forest inside Mammoth Cave National Park on 9.1 miles of mountain bike trails. Test your skills over multiple log rides along the trail on one of the most beginner friendly mountain bike trails in south-central Kentucky!  The Big Hollow trail features a north and south loop that careens in and out of hollows under a tree canopy keeping you cool in the autumn heat.  We’ll take it slow so you have the chance to learn new skills and take in all of the fall colors that are sure to start creeping out by the beginning of October.

ORAC will take care of all of the transportation, bikes, helmets, and expertise.  All you need to worry about is bringing the right clothes, and some snacks for the trail.  New to mountain biking, don’t sweat it, this trail is very beginner friendly and will inspire confidence across all ability levels.

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Saturday, October 6^th:

1. Leave Preston Center in the A.M
2. Arrive at Maple Springs Trailhead
3. Start biking
4. Eat lunch
5. Start biking
6. Avoid trees
7. Depart for the Preston Center