“Bridging the Gap Between Education and the Outdoors”
The University of Tennessee is located in an ideal setting for exploring the outdoors and pursuing a wide variety of adventure activities. Whether mountain biking on some great single track, rafting down world-class whitewater, or hiking through the Smoky Mountains, the UT Outdoor Program (UTOP) offers something for everyone! UTOP’s trained staff seeks to help UT students, faculty and staff get out and enjoy the outdoors whether through personal excursions or as part of planned UTOP trips. The Outdoor Center is home to an extensive resource center with books, maps, videos and even internet access. Additionally, the Outdoor Center has a large selection of outdoor equipment available for rental from kayaks and canoes to backpacks and mountain bikes. A full service bike shop is also located at the Outdoor Center where university community members can learn to maintain and repair their bikes.
UTOP’s Mission
The UTOP mission is to provide the university community with outdoor adventure, recreation and education. Programs will be inclusive to people of all backgrounds and abilities and will contribute to the holistic well-being and academic experience of the university.
The UTOP staff has identified values we feel are worth-while to pursue and share. These values form the basis of how we approach our programming, our interactions with others and ourselves. We strive to pursue these values with excellence, professionalism and always while having fun. Values include:
~ Safety and Health ~ Skills Acquisition ~ Community ~ Environmental Stewardship ~ Leadership
~ Personal Growth and Well-being
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If you are an outdoor enthusiast looking for a new adventure or want to experience the outdoors for the first time, then visit UTOP. The program offers a variety of weekend and extended trips and courses from one-day fly fishing and whitewater kayaking courses to multi-week adventures in far off lands. Additionally, the program hosts educational and entertainment programs such as the Telluride Mountain Film festival.Participating in the outdoor program is a great way to meet others, learn new skills, and explore the many wonders of our amazing world. Get out and get involved!
For more information about the Outdoor Rec program, the Bike Shop, the Vol Wall, or Equipment rental, please contact UTOP by phone at (865) 974-9749 or by email at utop@utk.edu.
