Malinda Williams, assistant director of OU Recreational Services, said rentals have been on the rise since program staff purchased the equipment back in the spring of 2008. In addition to students, OU faculty and staff may take advantage of the program, and Huston Huffman Center members are automatically eligible as well.
“We want to make this equipment available and accessible so students don’t have to buy everything,” said Larissa Mainers, OU Recreational Services facility coordinator. “This [program] is just one of many outlets we can take to help students live an active lifestyle,” she said.
Williams also pointed out that Oklahoma’s many campgrounds offer students a wide array of locations in which to use the equipment. She said some of the more commonly traveled areas include campgrounds and hiking trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman, Turner Falls Park in Davis, Mt. Scott in Lawton, and Roman Nose State Park in Watonga.
Williams said OU Recreational Services decided to offer the rental service because many of the Big 12 schools were doing the same. Suggestions from members of the Huston Huffman Center also played a role.
As of now, Williams said most people find out about the rental program through the OU Recreational Services Web site or word-of-mouth. However, she and Mainers want to get the word out to a wider variety of people and are currently designing marketing strategies to reach that goal.
Interested students may contact Williams or Mainers at 325-3053. To rent equipment, students need only a student ID and must pay applicable rental charges. The equipment is available all year long and can be taken anywhere. Rental policies and charges are listed on the OU Recreational Services Web site at http://recservices.ou.edu/content/view/323/150.
Above is some of the camping equipment available for rent through the OU Recreational Services OUtdoor Pursuits program.
photo by Stephanie Brooks
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