Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
All trips will be on a first-to-pay(first come first served) basis and trips sell out quickly. To secure a place on the trip the participant must visit the Outdoors office in the Aquatic and Recreation Center, complete all necessary forms and pay the deposit or pay the cost of the trip, in full, to be considered to be registered for the trip. There will be no refunds unless the trip is cancelled by the administrative staff. Trips are subject to be cancelled due to low enrollment or unsafe weather conditions at the trip location.
The Outdoors Office is located on the 1st floor of the Aquatic and Recreation Center. If you have any questions about the trips please call 423-425-5750 or Email utcoutdoors@gmail.com
Trip Fees
Listed fees are for transportation, group gear, food for overnight trips and instruction if it is provided. The Student Government Association (SGA) offsets equipment costs by supporting the rental equipment program.
*Carpool gas expenses are not included in trip fees.
DEADLINES
Deadline for most trips are the Wednesday prior to the weekend trip date unless otherwise posted. (Usually two days advance.)
REFUNDS
Refunds are only giving to participants when a trip is cancelled or by 72 hour written notice. Refunds are not given past the deadline.
Transportation?
A twelve passenger van is available for most trips. All staff members are trained to drive these vans.
The first ten people get in the van all others must provide their own transportation.
What do I need to bring?
Kayaking / Canoeing trips (all kayaking / canoeing equipment is provided)
Swim suit
Change of clothes
You may bring your own equipment
Lunch money
Towel
and a smile
Optional Equipment:
Nose plugs
Synthetic shirt
Sun screen
Caving trips (Helmets & Head lambs provided)
Clothes that you want to get dirty
Change of clothes
Garbage bags to put dirty clothes in
Extra flash light
and a smile
Camping trips (Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads are available)
Change of clothes
Warm clothes
Rain Gear
Toilettes
Twin flat sheet to sleep in
(2) small Flashlights
and a smile
What to expect:
All trips are open to all students, faculty, and staff these individuals come from all levels of experience. UTC Outdoors does not separate groups on the basis of individual experience levels. UTC Outdoors believes in, to have a great time in the outdoors you four things: Good friends, Good Location, Great food and above all, excellence in safety.
Whitewater Trips
Most trips are beginner level class I - II water. All Participants are required to wear a type III Personal flotation devise (PFD) and a helmet. UTC Outdoors uses multi-impact helmets design by the Johns Hopkins University.
Caving
UTC Outdoors believes in the use of sacrificial caves for the purpose of teaching cave safety. These caves that we enter, over the years, have been used and abused. Each time UTC Outdoors enters a cave system we leave it better than we found it. All participants are instructed on the fragile environment of caves.
Due to the amounts of resources, man power, and the risk to the rescuers we do not enter into the vertical sections of caves without proper equipment and participant training.
All participants are required to wear helmets and use battery flashlights.
