Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of experiential-learning opportunities through our Bike Shop, Challenge Course, Outdoor-Leadership-Training Program, Outdoor Trips, Rental Center, and Rock Wall. Our programming is designed to nurture and encourage a life-long love of outdoor pursuits along with a deep appreciation of risk management, environmental stewardship, as well as social and cultural inclusivity.
The UCLA Bike Shop is a Do-It-Yourself Workshop that was established as a partnership between UCLA Recreation and UCLA Transportation to encourage transportation by bicycle among current members of the UCLA Community (i.e., students, employees, and members of UCLA Recreation).
Summer-Session Hours (August 15 -September 7, 2018):
Open Monday to Friday (10am-5pm daily), except September 3
Closed September 8-26, 2018
Fall-Quarter Hours (September 27-December 7):
Open Monday to Friday (10am-5pm daily), except November 12, 22, and 23
Location: Northwestern corner of Wooden Center
Public Repair-Stand/Air-Pump: Just outside of shop
We maintain a carefully-selected, value-oriented inventory of new parts that are available for purchase. Please note that all sales on our new parts are final (i.e., returns/exchanges will not be accepted and refunds will not be issued).
We also gather used parts that may still be useful and/or contain useful pieces; these used parts are available free of charge. Please note that we do not offer any kind of guarantee on used parts and that we recommend that they be thoroughly inspected/tested.
Contact
2131 John Wooden Center Los Angeles, CA 90095 310.206.7219 bikecenter@recreation.ucla.edu
If you are interested in working at the UCLA Bike Shop, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with our offerings by using our DIY services and perusing our website. Eligibility requirements to be considered for employment include being a current student at UCLA and not being in one's final year of studies here. Once you have a good sense of what working here involves and whether you're eligible, we invite you to complete our online job-application.
We often get questions from aspiring and active bicyclists about how to ride to campus from various parts of the city. In response to these inquiries, we've mapped dozens of routes that we've found useful over the years. You may view these routes by clicking on the following links or scrolling down this page to the embedded maps.
If you would like to ask us more about these routes or would like to discuss routes from parts of town not mapped here, please feel free to let us know. We're here as a route-finding resource for you.
Routes to campus from the East
Routes to campus from the North and West
Routes to campus from the South
Special-Event Routes
As demonstrated by UCLA's recognition as a Bicycle Friendly University for its commitment to bicyclists and bicycle-infrastructure improvements, we're here to support you in your bicycle-commuting endeavors. On that note, here are some tips that might be helpful.
Fun Videos about Bike Commuting
For inspiration about commuting by bike and tips on getting started, we invite you to watch this short video created by a UCLA Student for the UCLA Bicycle Coalition: Bikes for All. Another film, Bike-U-mentary produced by BikeUCLA Films, follows two members of the UCLA Community as they ride to class and work on campus. Another film, titled Be a Smarter Commuter, presents various options for commuting to and from campus, including bicycling.
Sharing the road can be challenging when everyone's in a hurry. For a fun video on this topic, we invite you to watch another video that we helped our colleagues in Transportation make, Watch for Bruins. In life, there isn't a rewind button, so please be safe and courteous.
Also, if you're looking for inspiration about learning how to ride in general, we invite you to watch this video.
Locking Your Bicycle
If you've ever wondered how to lock your bike properly, you might enjoy watching this humorous video starring UCLA Students/Staff and produced by BikeUCLA Films, The Bike Bandit, which deals with how--and how not--to lock your bike effectively.
Most thefts can be prevented by using an adequate lock and properly securing the bicycle to an approved parking-facility, such as a bicycle rack. The combination of a U-lock and a 6-foot cable with a loop at each end is preferable to a cable lock by itself. The U-lock should be used to attach at least the bicycle frame and, if possible, one of the wheels to a secure rack. The 6-foot cable can then be connected to the U-lock using the loops and finally run through any unsecured wheels.
As you can see on this Bike Map, UCLA has lots of bike-parking options as well as self-serve-repair stations with air pumps and tools located conveniently around campus. Please also note that we sell Kryptonite U-locks for as low as $26.95.
Bruin Commuter Club
If you commute to and from UCLA by bike, you may qualify to be part of the Bruin Commuter Club which provides alternative-transportation commuters access to products, services, information, benefits, and incentives.
What type of bike should I ride?
If you are trying to decide which type of bike would best fit your riding needs, here's a post we wrote about how to choose a bike that may be helpful.
UCLA Bicycle Master Plan
In March of 2006, UCLA developed its first Bicycle-Master-Plan with the following mission statement: "To improve cycling conditions and promote the bicycle as a transportation mode on, to and from campus, UCLA will set policies and provide infrastructure to support and accommodate bicycling." Countless improvements on behalf of bicycling have been made at UCLA since this plan was released and many more are in the works.
Rules of the Road
The League of American Bicyclists recommends the following rules of the road to help you have a safe and enjoyable commute on your bike: 1) Follow the law; 2) Be predictable; 3) Be conspicuous; 4) Think ahead; 5) Ride ready; 6) Keep your cool. For more information on this topic, please feel free to register for one of our Traffic-Skills-for-Bicyclists classes that are offered free of charge each quarter. The League of American Bicyclists has also posted various videos about how to ride on the road on their website.
Safety First and LAPD's Bike-Liason Officers
If you're unsure about how to ride with motor vehicles, we recommend taking one of our Traffic-Skills Classes. We teach the concept of vehicular cycling which is the idea that bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles. If you successfully complete one of our Traffic-Skills Classes, we will provide you with a free set of safety lights, a helmet, and a bell thanks for funding we received from UCLA's The Green Initiative Fund.
We also recommend wearing a bicycle helmet when you ride your bike. Don't have a helmet? Please feel free to visit the UCLA Bike Shop where we have lots of great, affordable helmets for sale. Alternatively, you can get a coupon from us that's good for $20 off a helmet at Helen's Cycles, a bike shop located conveniently in Westwood.
For more information about bicycling maintenance and skills, please feel free to register for one of our classes. You may also refer to this Bike Pocket-Guide from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority which includes such information as laws that apply to bicyclists, how to ride with traffic, and how to lock your bike properly. To find bicycling information specific to UCLA, like a map showing the locations of bike racks, bike lanes, and showers, please refer to the Bicycle Pocket-Guide from UCLA Transportation.
Several years ago, the LAPD appointed four officers to serve as bike liasons to bicyclists throughout the city. These officers, whose names are listed below, are available to help you with your bike-related concerns. For example, if you're having trouble with motor-vehicle drivers passing you with less than the required clearance (three feet) on the same stretch of road regularly, a call to your area's LAPD bike-liason officer may be warranted:
Central Traffic Division: Sgt. Laszlo Sandor, 213 972-1853, 30124@lapd.lacity.org West Traffic Division: Sgt. Christopher Kunz, 213 473-0215, 26315@lapd.lacity.org South Traffic Division: Sgt. Jon Aufdemberg, 213 421-2588, 31630@lapd.lacity.org Valley Traffic Division: Sgt. Steve Egan, 818 644-8146, 26860@lapd.lacity.org
Register Your Bike In addition to registering your bike with the UCPD and/or the National Bike Registry, it's helpful to record your bike's serial-number and store this information in a safe place along with a photograph that shows you with your bike. The serial number should be stamped onto your bicycle frame, usually under the bottom-bracket shell. Immediately Report A Bicycle Theft If your bicycle is stolen, please report it immediately to the UCLA Police Department at 601 Westwood Plaza. You will need to complete a police report that specifies the location where the bicycle was parked and whether or not it was licensed. Route Planning
We mapped some of our favorite routes to/from campus on our route page. You may also plan your route to campus using tools like Google Maps' Bicycling-Directions (click "Get Directions," then click on the bike icon) or by referring to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation's bicycle maps. In addition, you're welcome to stop by the UCLA Bike Shop and discuss route planning with us. We enjoy comparing notes on preferred routes around town. Do you have an idea for a new rack location? If so, we invite you to send it our way: bike-info@ts.ucla.edu. We'll look into it as part of our ongoing program to upgrade all bicycle-parking facilities. Retrieve an Impounded Bicycle
If your bicycle was parked illegally or chained to pole or railing, or if it appears to have been abandoned, it may have been impounded. To retrieve your bicycle, please contact the office of Citation Review and Adjudication in Transportation Services at (310) 825-2029.
The following links are provided for informational purposes.
A sampling of On-Campus Organizations and Resources:
A sampling of Bike Shops, DIY Workshops, and Bike-Rental Services in LA:
A sampling of Rides, Events, and Classes in/near LA:
A sampling of Governmental and Non-Governmental Bike-Programs:
**Please note that the Challenge Course is closed for repairs until January 31, 2019.**
The UCLA Challenge Course offers unique adventure experiences designed to facilitate group and individual development. The Challenge Course uses a variety of elements and obstacles to present challenges to groups and individuals in a supportive and safe environment.
By providing experiential-based (learn-by-doing) activities, the Challenge Course instills participants with confidence and enthusiasm, and provides lessons and realizations critical to success in classrooms, the workplace, and in life.
Our staff works closely with you at every stage of the process, from establishing desired goals and objectives through program completion and follow-up.
Interested in a Challenge Course program and what it can provide for your specific group?
For availability and to make a reservation, please visit our reservation site at http://reserve.recreation.ucla.edu. For questions, please email us at oac@recreation.ucla.edu.
111 Easton Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1370
Spring* 2018 Calendar of Trips
Click on trip names for full trip descriptions and a What-to-Bring List
* Trips will go on sale March 14, 2018, at noon. **Attendance at the Pre-Trip Meeting is absolutely mandatory. No exceptions. No make-ups. More info below.
About Our Trips Outdoor Adventures prioritizes safety and responsible stewardship of the environment and our natural resources. All UCLA Outdoor Adventures trips are designed to be cooperative, educational, and safely adventurous. Participants can look forward to getting involved and learning about all aspects of outdoor recreation, such as setting up tents, cooking meals, natural history, and wilderness ethics. Everyone will work together, learn together, and look out for each other’s needs throughout the trip. If you are looking for some outdoor-minded community and to learn valuable skills, then OA trips are for you.
Pre-Trip Meetings (mandatory) Meetings for all of our trips take place at 6pm on the Tuesday before the trip in the Outdoor Adventures office inside the John Wooden Center. Attendance at the Pre-Trip Meeting is mandatory to ensure that all participants have adequate personal gear, are informed on what to expect, and are prepared for a safe, harmonious trip together. If you are not able to attend the Pre-Trip Meeting you may not attend the trip, as proper preparation is absolutely required. Be sure to understand our refund policy as missing the Pre-Trip Meeting will not qualify one for a refund; the deadline for refunds will have passed. No exceptions and no make-ups. If you cannot attend the Pre-Trip Meeting then do not sign up for the trip.
Equipment/Food/Transportation Outdoor Adventures programs include group gear (tents, stoves, pots & pans). You provide personal gear (sleeping bag, backpack, boots, etc). You may rent sleeping bags, backpacks, ground pads, and headlamps (batteries not included) for your trip from our Rental Center in the John Wooden Center. For more information visit their website.
Overnight outdoor trips include transportation and most meals. You may need to buy a meal on the road the first and last days of the trip. Most of our day trips include transportation, but you will need to bring your own lunch and snacks. Meals are all suitable for vegetarians with potential meat add-on options. Participants should communicate dietary restrictions and preferences on their medical form.
Policies & Risk Management Please note that our trips are alcohol, smoking, tobacco, and illegal substance free. Outdoor recreation has inherent risk of injury, illness, and/or death. As a trip participant, you are responsible for your safety. UCLA Recreation Outdoor Adventures and its employees assume no liability for any damages arising from outings. Please review the Outdoor Adventures Participant Code of Conduct for a clear understanding of participant expectations prior to enrolling. All participants will be required to sign in agreement to these policies prior to joining the trip.
Guides UCLA Outdoor Adventures guides are students and staff with a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share it with others. Our guides receive training through our Outdoor Leadership Training program. In addition, all trips include at least one guide who has completed a course in wilderness medicine.
Enrollment Visit the UCLA Recreation Store webpage to enroll online. If you have an active UCLA Recreation membership, you will see pricing and space availability after you log in. You can browse or search for our trips. They are listed under Outdoor Adventures -> Wilderness Trips. You may also register in person at the Sales Desk in the John Wooden Center. If you encounter an error message or any trouble while trying to process payment for your trip, please contact the Sales Team directly in order to resolve. Enrollment deadline The deadline to enroll in a trip is the start of the Pre-Trip Meeting for that trip. And don't forget, attendance at the Pre-Trip Meeting is required!
Wait list option for trips that are full If a trip fills and you would like to be placed on the wait list, please fill out this online form. In the event that someone withdraws from the trip, we will contact individuals from the wait list in the order that they were submitted and invite them to fill the spot. We are unable to reserve the newly-opened spot for the wait list individuals, and will be emailing them to inform them of the open place and invite them to register.
Who can participate in UCLA Outdoor Adventures? Our trips are open only to members of UCLA Recreation. Membership must be active at the time of registration, and during the UCLA Outdoor Adventures event. Most students are members of UCLA Recreation. To check your membership status, try to log in to your account in our online store and/or contact our Sales and Services Team. To learn about membership options and purchasing a membership, please visit our membership site. Our trips are designed for the adult community of UCLA, so children or minors under the age of 18 are not permitted. Exceptions may be granted for currently-enrolled UCLA students who are under the age of 18; please email oa@recreation.ucla.edu to request this exception. Medical Information Form All enrolled participants must complete our online Medical Form no later than the start of the Pre-Trip Meeting. Failure to meet this deadline could result in the loss of one's spot on a trip, and at no refund. Outdoor Adventures aims to provide safe, accessible trips. We will do our best to accommodate health and personal needs. The timely and thorough submission of this form is essential to this.
Refund Policy Full refunds are not available for trips. A partial refund (90%) may be obtained when a refund is requested by noon at least ten (10) business days before the trip departure (for example: two Fridays before, when a trip departs on a Friday). Refund requests must be submitted to OA Coordinator, Michelle Perrault, via email at mperrault@recreation.ucla.edu. Please also note that refunds are not available for short-term memberships (less than 12 months) to UCLA Recreation.
If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail us (oa@recreation.ucla.edu).
At the Rental Center, we have a variety of outdoor equipment available for Members of UCLA Recreation to rent. To rent or reserve gear, payment is required and payments are only accepted in person.
Summer-Session Hours (August 15th-September 7th, 2018):
Open Monday to Friday (10am-5pm daily), except September 3rd
Fall-Quarter Hours (September 27-December 7, 2018):
2131 John Wooden Center Los Angeles, CA 90095 310.206.7219 rentalcenter@recreation.ucla.edu
**Please note that the Rock Wall is closed for maintenance until October 1st, 2018.**
At the Rock Wall, located on the first floor of the Wooden Center, members of UCLA Recreation are invited to boulder during our Open-Recreation Hours. We also teach classes during the fall, winter, and spring; our current offerings are listed in UCLA Recreation's online store.
Bouldering is a type of climbing that is done close to the ground without ropes. People at all levels of experience are invited to climb at the Rock Wall. Climbing shoes may be rented for a small fee and they are available free of charge on one's first visit to the wall.
Please feel free to email us at oac@recreation.ucla.edu with any questions.
If you enjoy climbing and are interested in working at the UCLA Rock Wall, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with our operation by climbing during Open-Recreation Hours. Eligibility requirements to be considered for employment include being a current undergraduate-student at UCLA with previous climbing-experience and the ability to work at least six hours per week. Once you have a good sense of what working here involves and whether you're eligible, we invite you to complete our online job-application.
Outdoor-Leadership-Training Program
The Outdoor Leadership Training Program is a combination of both hands-on training and employment. Students who enter the program attend workshops, trips, and conferences that provide outdoor experiences and skills, which will then be applied to the student's employment and development as an Outdoor Guide for UCLA Recreation. Guides are exposed to all aspects of outdoor and team leadership opportunities including:
- Group management - Teamwork, communication, and leadership - Wilderness medicine - Trip and lesson planning - Risk management, safety, injury prevention, and evacuation practices - Teaching philosophy and techniques - Skill acquisition in outdoor activities such as backpacking, hiking, and rock climbing - Safe vehicle and driving practices - Outdoor meal planning, cooking, and stove use - Wilderness and recreation policies and procedures - Environment awareness and conservation - Outdoor equipment use and care - Weather preparedness
Program Goals The goal of the O.L.T. Program is to serve UCLA and its community by developing knowledgeable, skilled, and effective leaders to work as Guides for UCLA Recreation. We aim to provide opportunities to appreciate the outdoors, learn about safety and how to respect the natural environmental, and practice transferable skills such as teamwork and overcoming adversity.
Who is eligible to apply? Current, continuing UCLA students, both undergraduates and graduates, are eligible to apply for the OLT program. No prior outdoors experience is required - just an enthusiasm to learn about, work in, and serve the outdoors and UCLA community. Applicants should be prepared to commit a minimum of 2 years to the program, including 2 summer seasons (!), in order to effectively develop their training into quality, outdoor leadership work.
Program Expectations Students of the OLT Program are presented with numerous training opportunities to develop their outdoor leadership skills including trips, workshops, conferences, and other experiential learning opportunities. Trainings include backpacking, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and car-camping, all with heavy emphases on risk management and Leave No Trace practices. Workshops are held throughout the quarter on a variety of outdoor leadership and skill subjects. An example of quarterly workshops include: - Knots for the Outdoors - How to Change a Tire - Snow Chains and Winter Driving - Planning Meals for Backpacking - Water Purification - Case Studies in Risk Management - Leave No Trace Ethics and Practices - Tent Set-Up - Reading a Topographic Map - Front & Back-County Kitchen Safety, including how to use two-burner and Whisperlite stoves - How to Start and Responsibly Manage a Campfire - Snow Camping - Lightning Protocol - And many, many more With so many training and working options, and so much to learn, students are expected to dive in and bring to their training a hard-working, open attitude along with a commitment to excellence. The OLT Program and the job of a Guide are year-round. Work and trainings are abundant and demanding all four quarters: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. It takes serious dedication to become an outdoor leader, and as such the program is only suited for students who can commit to working and training year-round, and for a minimum of two years, including two summer seasons. During Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarter, most student Guides will participate in several training opportunities and lead 1-2 trips each quarter. During the Summer (roughly July Fourth through mid-August), most student Guides will lead 3-5 trips. Students enter the program at the level of Trainee. Trainees are given the opportunity to advance their guiding skills as volunteers on guided trips. Trainees are invited to take a skills test and apply for the job of a Secondary Guide, which is a paid guiding position. Secondary Guides are expected to continue to hone their outdoor leadership skills, and train to become a Primary Guide. The role of a Primary Guide is a huge undertaking and responsibility. It takes sincere commitment, humility, and high standards of excellence to attain this level of leadership and responsibility. If done well, this leadership role can be immensely powerful and rewarding, not just for the Guide themselves, but also the co-Guides and participants with whom they work.
Prospective applicants to the program should be sure to note that summer is our busiest work season, with trips going out constantly and gorgeous mountain passes open for exploration. Guides are expected to commit to guiding trips for OA during a two summers. Trips run roughly from July Fourth Weekend through mid-August. Most trips are 3-6 days in length and occur both over weekends and throughout the week. Additional outdoor leadership paid work can be added into the Guide's summer schedule, too, with work on the Challenge Course, Rock Wall, and Outdoor Equipment Rental Center. If you are truly looking to grow as an outdoor leader, and are looking to earn some money, too, there is no better season to work for OA than the summertime.
How to apply to the OLT Program
Applications and admissions to the OLT Program are done on a rolling basis throughout the year. The progression of the application process is described in sequential steps below. Applicants can be eliminated at any point in the process, and will be informed of their standing via email. 1) Attend one information session: At the information session, prospective applicants can expect to learn all about the program opportunities, the admissions process, and the challenging and highly-rewarding work of an outdoor guide. Location: OA Office, John Wooden Center Upcoming info session dates: The next information sessions will be held in Fall Quarter 2018. Please check back here for updates on dates/times.
2) Submit an online application: Information session attendees will receive a link to an online application for the program. Only information session attendees will be considered for admission and employment. 3) Interviews and/or workshops: Select applicants will be invited for an interview and/or to attend an OLT Program skills workshop. 4) Training Trip: Select applicants will be invited to attend a training trip. Formal acceptances into the OLT Program will be communicated on a rolling basis at the the conclusion of these steps. Applicants can be eliminated at any point in the process, and will be informed of their standing via email. Applicants may re-apply if they are not admitted.
If you have questions, please e-mail oa@recreation.ucla.edu.
Hosted by UCLA Recreation Outdoor Adventures. Content, instruction, and certification provided by NOLS. Registration opens at the end of November for both the WFR and WFRR Courses.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) 10-day Course (click for full details)
(Scroll down for information on the WFRR 3-day Course)
Overview
Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course will prepare you to make difficult medical decisions.
This course is fast-paced and engaging. You'll spend half your time outside of the classroom doing hands-on skills and realistic scenarios. In addition to scenarios, you'll participate in a full-scale night mock rescue. WMI's curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including long-term patient care, wound management, straightening angulated fractures, reducing dislocations, litter packaging and administering medications.
You'll complete this course with the tools and confidence to manage patients in the backcountry for multiple days. The intensive 80-hour curriculum is nationally recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medicine Institute's Medical Advisory Panel. You'll be taught by dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine.
This 10-day course is ideal for all professionals operating in remote environments. CPR certification is included. The WFR course is pre-approved for 70 hours of EMT CEHs by CECBEMS.
Please refer to WMI's website for detailed course curriculum information
Logistical information
Dates: March 23-April 1, 2018. No class March 28, 2018. Class starts early, around 8am, and ends around 5pm or 6pm. A couple of days will stretch late into the evening, 10pm or midnight (night scenario). A detailed schedule will be provided on the first day of class.
Location: UCLA campus. Sunset Canyon Recreation Center; Mesa Room.
Cost: Deposit of $400 reserves your spot in the course. Balance of $400 is due by 5pm March 22, 2018. Total course cost is $800.
Refund policy: There are no full refunds. 90% refunds are available only if requested a minimum of 30 days prior to start of the course. Refund requests should be submitted via email to oa@recreation.ucla.edu.
How to enroll: Course will go on sale November 27, 2017 at noon. Enroll via UCLA Recreation's online system or in person at the Sales & Cashiering desk in the John Wooden Center. To find the course, navigate to Winter 2018 Quarter and select Outdoor Adventures. Waitlist: The 10-day WFR course is currently full. You may place yourself on the wait list here, if you would like us to notify you via email in the event that someone withdraws, thus opening a spot. Placing yourself on the wait list does not guarantee that you will get the spot should one open. We cannot predict the likelihood of whether a spot will open or not, as most people commit to taking this course well in advance, and only withdraw in the case of unpredictable emergency.
Supplies needed: Note taking material such as notebook and pen; watch with ability to show seconds; sunscreen/hat/sunglasses; close-toed shoes
Parking: Parking permits are NOT included in course fees. Parking Lot 11 is the recommended location for parking on campus in close proximity to the course location. Daily parking passes are $12, available at the automated kiosk in the lot. We encourage students to carpool or coordinate shared parking if cutting costs is of interest. There is also ample bicycle parking (free).
Other thoughts: There will be lunch breaks every day. We highly recommend you pack a lunch and snacks. There are not many food options within quick walking distance from the course.
Please direct questions to oa@recreation.ucla.edu
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Wilderness First Responder Recertification 3-day Course (click for full details)
Dates: February 17-19, 2018. Class starts early around 8am and ends around 5pm or 6pm.
Location: UCLA Campus. Sunset Canyon Recreation Center; Mesa Room
Cost: $315 full course cost. Full payment is required to reserve your spot in the course.
How to enroll: Course will go on sale Nov 27, 2017 at noon. Enroll via UCLA Recreation's online system, or in-person at the Sales & Cashiering desk in the John Wooden Center. To find the course, navigate to Winter 2018 quarter and select Outdoor Adventures.
Supplies needed: Note-taking material such as notebook and pen; watch with ability to show seconds; sunscreen/hat/sunglasses; close-toed shoes
Parking: Parking permits are NOT included in course fees. Parking Lot 11is the recommended location for parking on campus in close proximity to the course location. Daily parking passes are $12, available at the automated kiosk in the lot. We encourage students to carpool or coordinate shared parking if cutting costs is of interest. There is also ample bicycle parking (free).
Other thoughts: There will be lunch breaks every day. Westwood is a 5 minute drive from the course location, where one can purchase all sorts of food. However, it is highly recommended that students bring a lunch, so as to facilitate a quick lunch break whenever possible.
Welcome, UCLA class of 2022!
Thank you for your interest in our BOOTs! At this time, all the 2018 trips are full. If you would like to place yourself on the wait list, scroll down to the wait list section on this page. Unfortunately, spaces cannot be added nor new trips added to the calendar. We do our best to provide opportunities within our resources and that are sustainable to mother nature. As an alternative, we invite you to check out our regularly-scheduled trips that occur throughout the school year! These wonderful adventures are available to UCLA Recreation members (all undergraduates) and are a great way to meet other students and share in guided adventure. You can learn about them by clicking the tab for "Outdoor Trips." The Fall Quarter schedule will be posted and on sale near the end of summer. For now, you can refer to the Spring listings, which will be relatively similar to what is offered in Fall. Hope to have you on an adventure!
Outdoor Adventures is excited to offer a full range of Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trips (BOOTs) this Summer 2018! These outdoor experiences are available exclusively to incoming freshmen students. Please read through the information below for details on the calendar, how to enroll, and what to expect on a Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trip.
About Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trips
Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trips are unforgettable experiences where incoming UCLA students get to meet each other in an adventurous and intimate setting. Groups of 5-6 students and 2-3 student Guides will venture into the wilderness on trips that include backpacking, hiking, backcountry cooking, kayaking, and more. Our destinations are some of California's most beautiful locations, such as glistening alpine lakes, gushing rivers, majestic mountain peaks, and the world's oldest and largest trees. Our past participants have made lifelong friends as a result of attending our trips and cite these adventures as being one of the most influential and enjoyable elements of their college experience! The group will be guided by OA Guides who are current or recent students at UCLA. Together, the whole crew will venture into a pristine wilderness location, sleep under the stars, bond over hearty backcountry meals, support one another in challenging outdoor pursuits, learn about responsible outdoor recreation, and get excited for their upcoming collegiate endeavors, all with the safety of a well-trained Guide Team. All of our trips are suitable for beginners; no experience is necessary. Our Guides love teaching people how to camp and thrive in the outdoors. All you need is an open, positive attitude, an excitement to meet new people, and a love for the great outdoors. And don't forget to bring the items on your "What-to-Bring List." What is included on a Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trip? - Knowledgeable, experienced guides, who are current UCLA students or recent graduates - Transportation from UCLA and back in our 8-passenger vans - Group camping equipment such as tents, tarps, stoves, cookware, and first aid kits. You only need to bring what is listed on your "What to Bring List." - The following personal items are included for you on these trips: backpack, ground pad, sleeping bag. If you already own these items and you prefer to use them instead of ours, you are welcome to do so. Just be sure that they meet our criteria, as described in the "What to Bring List." - Delicious camping meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks galore, collectively prepared by the whole crew. Meals on the road not provided, so if there is a long drive on your trip, be sure to bring some money for a roadside purchase. - Opportunities to learn about outdoor recreation. Guides will teach seminars that can include map and compass use, Leave No Trace principles, weather preparation, games, backcountry hygiene, fire building, water purification, backcountry stove use and cooking, and many more! - An incredibly memorable experience with new college friends and community! Policies and Risk Management All of our trips are alcohol and drug free. It is our mission to provide safe, cooperative, and empowering nature-based experiences. All participants are expected to behave responsibly and will be required to sign in agreement to our Participant Code of Conduct. UCLA OA has an excellent safety record and well-trained staff with Wilderness First Responder certifications. All participants must understand that safety is their job, too! Wilderness travel has an inherent risk of injury or death.
2018 Calendar
*Click on the link provided to view detailed trip information and a list of what to bring. How to enroll
Trips will go on sale on May 15, 2018, at noon and will remain on sale until they are either full or 5 business days before the trip departs. Enrollment may be done via our online store. If the student has a UCLA logon, then use this to log into the store. If the student does not yet have a UCLA logon, then you may create an account. The directions are on the store main page. When creating your online account, be sure to include an accurate email address that you regularly check! This will be our primary method of contacting you regarding your trip preparations. When trying to find the trip on our online store, be sure that the semester "Summer 2018" is selected in the left-hand column, and that the classification selected is "Outdoor Adventures." Trips will be listed under the category of "Outdoor Adventures." Enrollment may also be done via phone, or in person at the John Wooden Center sales desk. Should you encounter any technical difficulties while enrolling, please call the sales team at (310) 206-8373. These incredible experiences are very popular, and thus we anticipate that they will sell out very quickly. Please plan accordingly. We are unable to add trips or add spots to trips. Enrolling minors (students under the age of 18) Outdoor Adventures' trips are designed for adults. Incoming freshmen who are under the age of 18 are still eligible to enroll. In order to enroll a minor, the parent/guardian must create their own account on the UCLA Recreation registration site, and then create a profile for their dependent (the underage student). During the registration process, the parent/guardian will then log in to their own account and enroll their dependent in the trip. This can be time-consuming and confusing for some people, so we recommend you create your account and familiarize yourself with the registration process in advance of the time that trips go on sale.
Wait list option for trips that are full If a trip is full, you are invited to place yourself on our wait list. This does not reserve or guarantee a spot for you on the trip, should one open. In the event that a space opens up, you will be notified via email and invited to register. It is not likely that many (or any) spaces will open, as most participants commit to attend our trips well in-advance. We encourage you to sign up for a trip that is not full. They are all really wonderful adventures!
Refund and cancellation policy Like our existing policy, Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trips are not eligible for a full refund. 90% refunds may be obtained for Bruin Outdoor Orientation Trips if requested 10 business days prior to departure, as this might allow us time to fill the spot. To request a refund, please contact us at oa@recreation.ucla.edu.
Arrival and departure details
Our trips depart from (and return to) the Bike Shop/Outdoor Adventures Center. This is located on the northwest corner of the John Wooden Center. Click here for a map. It is highly recommended that students be dropped-off and picked-up by someone. Visitor parking is available at an hourly rate in the nearby Parking Lot 4. Overnight parking is possible, too, during the trip. You will need to purchase a multi-day pass from the parking kiosk located at 555 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles 90095. Parking Lot 4 is the lot we recommend you park in. Currently, the daily rate is $12. Should you need to arrive a day in advance, or depart a day after your trip's conclusion, we recommend you booking a room at the following on-campus hotels: The Luskin Conference Center (1 minute walk from Outdoor Adventure Center) or the UCLA Guest House (a 5-10 minute walk to the Outdoor Adventure Center). Shuttle buses to/from campus and LAX are offered by Fly Away. Many of our trips start the day after a First Year Orientation, or return the day before a First Year Orientation. If you are attending a session immediately before or after your BOOT, you may arrange with Orientation to check in to your dorm one night early or stay one night later. You must make these arrangements with Orientation (not through Outdoor Adventures). Medical & Personal Information Forms In the weeks leading up to each trip, OA will email all participants asking them to complete a Medical and Personal Information Form (online). All enrolled participants must complete the Medical and Personal Information Form a minimum of 10 days prior to departure. OA aims to provide safe, accessible trips. We will do our best to accommodate health and personal needs. Failure to complete the Medical and Personal Information Form within this deadline will risk the participant losing their spot on the trip, at no refund. OA cannot guarantee to accommodate medical or personal needs that are indicated after this deadline. Questions? Concerns? We're happy to help you out! These are amazing experiences for incoming Bruins, and we don't want you to miss out. Please email OA Coordinator, Michelle Perrault, at mperrault@recreation.ucla.edu.