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Outdoor Education & Recreation

Whether its rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, or backpacking, the Outdoor Education and Recreation Center (OERC) can help you learn the requisite skills or provide equipment needed for your next adventure.

Excellence in Outdoor Leadership

The Outdoor Education and Recreation Center offers a variety of outdoor programs for both students and the community. We provide trips, clinics, trainings, and equipment rentals to: 

  • promote the development of lifetime outdoor skills
  • learn about safety and proper technique
  • gain an appreciation and concern for our natural environment
  • have a great time

The OERC’s staff are leaders in the outdoor industry. All trip leaders are certified by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS with at least Wilderness First Aid (most with Wilderness First Responder) and, depending on the trip they are leading, have professional training in each focus area. 

In addition, many have taken in-depth outdoor education courses through organizations such as NOLS, PCIA, AMGA, LNT, and ACA. 

Climbing Wall
Ready to learn the ropes? WSU has the largest university climbing wall in the Midwest.

With nearly 6,000 square feet of climbing surface and 2 bouldering walls, any thrill seeker is bound to get a fun workout in whenever they want.

Climbing Center
Equipment Rentals
The WSU Outdoor Education and Recreation Center has a variety of equipment available to rent for all your outdoor adventures.

Students, employees, and community members can all take advantage of the OERC’s rental equipment for activities from camping to climbing. 

Rent Outdoor Equipment
A person carries a pair of ice climbing boots.
Trips & Outings
Many trips are planned throughout the year ranging in short day trips to week-long excursions. 

You can register for events at the OERC front desk.

A group of students wearing life jackets stand on a sandbar in the Mississippi backwaters.
Adventure Education Programs
Schedule an Adventure Education program for your student group, corporate retreat, or team to use adventure as a means for personal and group development.

We offer:

  • Team Building Activities
  • Low Ropes Course
  • High Ropes Course
  • Rock Climbing Wall
Two students look up at the climbing wall in the WSU Climbing Center.

Financial Assistance

Removing barriers to access outdoor recreation is essential and integral to the OERC. We recognize everyone is in a different financial position and we want to be able to support everyone’s desire to participate in what we offer.

To that end the OERC offers financial assistance programs based on a sliding scale. If you need financial assistance, please complete the OERC Financial Assistance Application (PDF) and Supplemental Applicant Information (PDF) and return to michael.henderson@winona.edu.

Contact the OERC
Outdoor Education & Recreation Center
Wabasha Recreation Center LL117

507.457.2940

351 Lafayette Street

Email the OERC
Mike Henderson
Outdoor Education and Recreation Center Associate Director

Education

  • S. Recreation
  • AIARE Course Leader
  • AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
  • AMGA SPI
  • Wilderness EMT

Mike loves to travel anywhere that makes him nervous and his favorite outdoor activities are skiing and ice climbing—ideally both in the same route.

Join the Team

The OERC employs student workers in a variety of positions including Climbing Wall Attendants, Field Staff and Rental Center Staff.