Get Help Planning Your Next Outdoor Adventure
Duke Rec offers plans for hiking, camping and paddling outings
Duke Recreation & Physical Education has launched 鈥淧ersonal Trip Plans鈥 to help staff, faculty and students organize hiking, camping and paddling activities in Durham and the surrounding area.
The 鈥溾 include recommendations for hiking and paddle boarding routes, packing lists and a risk management plan outlining possible hazards and safety measures and address and GPS coordinates. Each plan also includes a land acknowledgment, which is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as stewards of the land.
鈥淚t can be a little intimidating to try and find the right hike, the right place to go and the right equipment to bring,鈥 said T.J. Beezley, coordinator of outdoor adventures for Duke Recreation & Physical Education. 鈥淥ur trip plans give you the confidence to pick the adventure that works best for you.鈥
Plans range from free to $10 for non-members. with Duke Rec & P.E. can access all trip plans for free.
Duke staff, faculty and students can access the plans on by signing in with Duke NetID and password. Choose between hiking, paddling and camping trip plans to download. are offered for Durham historic sites, as well as for Duke Forest trails and other hiking areas in Durham.
Beezley curated the trips through a mix of personal experience hiking, camping, canoeing, paddle boarding and kayaking and by combing through reviews and information online. So far, she has developed plans for about 10 sites in the region, including , , and . She plans to add biking trip plans in the upcoming weeks.
鈥淭he pandemic has really shown the importance of getting fresh air as many of us are cooped up in our homes without access to gyms and typical recreational activities,鈥 Beezley said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great time to see all the beauty North Carolina has while staying safe.
In addition to trip plans, Duke staff, faculty and students can rent cookware sets, canoes, paddleboards, coolers, climbing shoes, lanterns and other gear at a minimal cost to accompany for trips through the Duke Rec & P.E.'s .
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