Whether you're a returning member or new to the club, this is the perfect chance to dive into the vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts in Madison. We’ll introduce you to the exciting trips, workshops, and social events we have planned, including opportunities for hiking, camping, paddling, and more. Whether you’re attending with friends or on your own, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow adventurers. Learn how you can get involved, meet like-minded people, start planning your outdoor escapades, and gear up for a season of exploration and fun in the beautiful outdoors!

LOCATION: The meeting will take place in the Mendota Lodge. It is a beautiful room right across from the OutdoorUW offices. From the Terrace, you can walk down the stairs towards the lake and take a left turn where you should see large glass windows looking into Mendota Lodge. If starting from inside Memorial Union, locate the Wheelhouse art studios on the west end of the building, walk down the stairs, turn right, and walk all the way down the hallway.

If you'd like to stay warm and cozy with some cocoa, and play some card games with fellow hoofers, stay after this weeks general meeting!

Intro to Snowshoeing Getting outside during winter in Wisconsin can be a bit challenging…snowshoeing to the rescue! In this class, you will learn about the history and the basics of how to stay above the snow when hiking with SNOWSHOES! Then move from the classroom out onto the lake for some hands-on practice. Join us on this introductory course to learn the ins and outs of this winter activity.

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn more about what snowshoeing is and why it is popular 

• Learn about what gear is needed to have a successful trip 

• Get hands-on practice on snowshoes

*** Snowshoeing gear will be provided for practice purposes at this event ****

Join Outdoor UW for another informative course in the Outdoor Explorer Series (OES).  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

--- Class is located in the Mendota Lodge on the water level of Memorial Union (along the lakefront and across from the Outdoor UW office) ----

*** If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation for this course, please contact our Dan Dunne, ddunne@wisc.edu ***

Get ready to lace up your skates and glide on ice at our Student "Welcome Back to Campus" ICE SKATE Night! Enjoy chart-topping beats while experiencing a night of fearless spins, dazzling twirls, and unforgettable memories as you celebrate the start of the semester with your fellow students and friends.  

Skate rentals are available at $5 for students per hour. Skate rentals are available first to those registered (below) for the event. 15 minutes BEFORE the event begins we will call down the list of those registered to select their skates. Once those who are registered for the event (and present before the event begins) have their skates, rentals will be available to those not registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event.

<<< PLEASE COME 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT TO ALLOW TIME TO BE FIT FOR SKATES >>>

***Limited sizes of ice skates are available. Skates are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis.

***If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Information

Participant Cancellation: When canceling at least 1 week before the event, a full refund will be possible (if the participant submits a refund request form). Within a week of the event, Outdoor UW staff reserves the right to give full, partial or no refund on a case by case basis.

Outdoor UW Cancellation:The event will be cancelled 24 hours in advance if inclement weather or poor lake conditions exist. In the event of a cancellation, full refunds will be issued. Refunds will not be issued if participants cancel within 24 hours of event.

Equipment/ Gear Required by Participant:

Equipment will be provided. Participants must dress accordingly and be prepared for variable seasonal weather conditions.

Discover the thrill of gliding on ice at Outdoor UW's Learn to Ice Skate event, where expert instruction from UW RecWell turns Lake Mendota into your frosty classroom! Whether you're a first-timer or looking to polish your skills, this picturesque setting provides the perfect backdrop for mastering the art of ice skating. Join us for laughter, learning, and graceful slides as you embrace the magic of skating on the frozen beauty of Lake Mendota.

Skate rentals are included for each participant in this event's registration. Skate rentals are available first to those registered (below) for the event. 15 minutes BEFORE the event begins we will call down the list of those registered to select their skates. Once those who are registered for the event (and present before the event begins) have their skates, rentals will be available to those not registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event.

<<< PLEASE COME 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT TO ALLOW TIME TO BE FIT FOR SKATES >>>

***Limited sizes of ice skates are available. Skates are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis.

***If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

Can you believe ABBA is still a thing? ...Neither can we, but here we are. ABBA Ice Skate Night is a fun, themed event where attendees enjoy ice skating while listening to the iconic hits of ABBA. The night features a lively atmosphere with music from the legendary pop group, creating a nostalgic and energetic experience on the ice. It's a perfect blend of music, skating, and entertainment for fans of all ages. Get down here and be a dancing queen on the ice. 

Skate rentals are available at $5 for students per hour and $7 for non-students per hour. Skate rentals are available first to those registered (below) for the event. 15 minutes BEFORE the event begins we will call down the list of those registered to select their skates. Once those who are registered for the event (and present before the event begins) have their skates, rentals will be available to those not registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event.

<<< PLEASE COME 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT TO ALLOW TIME TO BE FIT FOR SKATES >>>

***Limited sizes of ice skates are available. Skates are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis.

***If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Information

Participant Cancellation: When canceling at least 1 week before the event, a full refund will be possible (if the participant submits a refund request form). Within a week of the event, Outdoor UW staff reserves the right to give full, partial, or no refund on a case-by-case basis.

Outdoor UW Cancellation: The event will be canceled 24 hours in advance if inclement weather or poor lake conditions exist. In the event of a cancellation, full refunds will be issued. Refunds will not be issued if participants cancel within 24 hours of the event.

Equipment/ Gear Required by Participant:

Equipment will be provided. Participants must dress accordingly and be prepared for variable seasonal weather conditions.

Have questions about the club? Want to brainstorm? Just wanna chat?

Feel free to drop into my online office hours! I will have office hours every week on Tuesday from 3:30-5:30 pm. Office hours will be in-person in the OUW offices (across from Mendota Lodge), or can be moved to an online meeting or call. These times and locations are flexible, just reach out to outingpresident@hoofers.org if you need a change. Also, please try to give me a heads-up if you plan on attending.

Discover the thrill of gliding on ice at Outdoor UW's Learn to Ice Skate event, where expert instruction from UW RecWell turns Lake Mendota into your frosty classroom! Whether you're a first-timer or looking to polish your skills, this picturesque setting provides the perfect backdrop for mastering the art of ice skating. Join us for laughter, learning, and graceful slides as you embrace the magic of skating on the frozen beauty of Lake Mendota.

Skate rentals are included for each participant in this event's registration. Skate rentals are available first to those registered (below) for the event. 15 minutes BEFORE the event begins we will call down the list of those registered to select their skates. Once those who are registered for the event (and present before the event begins) have their skates, rentals will be available to those not registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event.

<<< PLEASE COME 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT TO ALLOW TIME TO BE FIT FOR SKATES >>>

***Limited sizes of ice skates are available. Skates are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis.

***If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

Venture into the winter wonderland of Lake Mendota as you hike or snowshoe to the secluded haven of Picnic Point. Gather around a roaring campfire, where the crackling flames set the scene for camaraderie and the creation of delicious s'mores, before embarking back to Memorial Union.

Meet-Up Location/Logistics (WITH snow and ice):

The Snow & S'mores hike will be done on snowshoes if conditions allow. If conditions allow for snowshoeing, participants will meet at the Outdoor UW office in Memorial Union and walk across the ice to picnic point. Snowshoes are provided by Outdoor UW. Please wear winter boots for this event and dress accordingly. 

Meet-Up Location/Logistics (WITHOUT snow and ice):

If there is no snow and ice, the hike will be done on foot from the entrance of picnic point. The Outdoor UW Crew will be meeting participants at the Picnic Point entrance gate located at 2000 University Bay Drive, and ending the hike at Outdoor UW (800 Langdon St).

The entrance of Picnic Point is located at 2000 University Bay Drive next to the B-Cycle parking/bike racks, Lot 130 Parking, and Bus Stop # 2881 ‘University Bay & Picnic Point (EB)'. Madison Metro route #80 is free and will take you from Memorial Union to Picnic Point. More info can be found here: https://lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu/visit/getting-here-and-parking/ Please wear winter boots for this event and dress accordingly.

*If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

*Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event. 

Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Information

Participant Cancellation: When canceling at least 1 week before the event, a full refund will be possible (if the participant submits a refund request form). Within a week of the event, Outdoor UW staff reserves the right to give full, partial, or no refund on a case-by-case basis.

Outdoor UW Cancellation: The event will be canceled 24 hours in advance if inclement weather or poor lake conditions exist. In the event of a cancellation, full refunds will be issued. Refunds will not be issued if participants cancel within 24 hours of the event.

Food and Equipment Information:

Some food may be provided for these events (if indicated above), please let staff know before the event if you need us to make a reasonable food sensitivity or allergy accommodation for you.

Equipment/ Gear Required by Participant:

Equipment will be provided. Participants must dress accordingly and be prepared for variable seasonal weather conditions.

Get ready to skate to the beat at our Boy Band Ice Skating Extravaganza! This themed outdoor event brings the best boy band hits from the '90s and early 2000s to the ice. Glide under twinkling lights as iconic tunes from Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, One Direction, and more fill the air. Whether you’re reliving your teenage dreams or discovering the magic of these chart-toppers for the first time, this lively atmosphere, complete with festive decorations and a vibrant crowd, is sure to make your skating experience unforgettable. Lace up your skates and let the music move you!

Skate rentals are available at $5 for students per hour and $7 for non-students per hour. Skate rentals are available first to those registered (below) for the event. 15 minutes BEFORE the event begins we will call down the list of those registered to select their skates. Once those who are registered for the event (and present before the event begins) have their skates, rentals will be available to those not registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Youth under 18 need to be accompanied by a legal guardian at this event.

<<< PLEASE COME 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT TO ALLOW TIME TO BE FIT FOR SKATES >>>

***Limited sizes of ice skates are available. Skates are rented out on a first-come, first-served basis.

***If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation, please contact our Co-Managers, ouwmanager@union.wisc.edu

Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Information

Participant Cancellation: When canceling at least 1 week before the event, a full refund will be possible (if the participant submits a refund request form). Within a week of the event, Outdoor UW staff reserves the right to give full, partial, or no refund on a case-by-case basis.

Outdoor UW Cancellation: The event will be canceled 24 hours in advance if inclement weather or poor lake conditions exist. In the event of a cancellation, full refunds will be issued. Refunds will not be issued if participants cancel within 24 hours of the event.

Equipment/ Gear Required by Participant:

Equipment will be provided. Participants must dress accordingly and be prepared for variable seasonal weather conditions.

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!!

The first match is on February 2nd at 3/4/5pm at the Nick and we will continue to play each week until mid March!

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with this link: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124742 

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!!

The first match is on February 2nd at 3/4/5pm at the Nick and we will continue to play each week until mid March!

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with this link: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124742 

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!!

The first match is on February 2nd at 3/4/5pm at the Nick and we will continue to play each week until mid March!

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with this link: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124742 

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!!

The first match is on February 2nd at 3/4/5pm at the Nick and we will continue to play each week until mid March!

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with this link: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124742 

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!! 

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with the link below: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124747

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

Intro to Cross-country Skiing (In collaboration with the Hoofer Outing Club) 

Getting outside during winter in Wisconsin can be a bit challenging…Cross-country Skiing to the rescue! We will learn about the basics of Cross-country Skiing in the classroom, then move on to the lake for some hands-on practice. Join us on this introductory course to learn the ins and outs of this winter activity.

*** Cross-country skiing gear will be provided for practice purposes at this event ***

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn about what cross-country skiing is and why it is popular 

• Understand the difference between classic and skate skiing

• Learn about what gear is needed to have a successful trip 

• Get hands-on practice with cross-country skis 

--- Class is located in the Mendota Lodge on the water level of Memorial Union (along the lakefront and across from the Outdoor UW office) ----

*** If you are a person with a disability needing reasonable accommodation for this course, please contact our Dan Dunne, ddunne@wisc.edu ***

Hey Hoofers!! INTRAMURALS ARE BACK BABY!!!!

The first game is on February 5th at 8:15pm at the Bakke and we will continue to play each week on Wednesday until mid March!

If you are at all interested in playing and have a recwell intramural pass, please sign up with this link: https://play.fusionfamily.com/deeplinks/team?id=124745

IF you don’t have an intramural pass yet, follow this link to the recwell website which will guide you in starting that process: https://recwell.wisc.edu/intramuralsports/

At the beginning of each session, we will briefly teach the participants the absolute basics of ice fishing. We will then have each participant get a rod and they will disperse among the (many) drilled holes to try to catch a fish. We will go around and help the participants throughout the session. Participants will have access to jigging rods and tip-ups

Anyone can participate, we just recommend having proper clothing and footwear for being on the ice.

Prioritize your wellbeing and join us for a relaxing break to reduce stress, calm your mind, and center your goals. Enjoy 30 minutes of mindful meditation followed by guided wellness goal journaling. Coffee and tea available to warm up and get cozy! Feel free to bring your lunch along to eat while journaling.

At the beginning of each session, we will briefly teach the participants the absolute basics of ice fishing. We will then have each participant get a rod and they will disperse among the (many) drilled holes to try to catch a fish. We will go around and help the participants throughout the session. Participants will have access to jigging rods and tip-ups

Anyone can participate, we just recommend having proper clothing and footwear for being on the ice.