“Things are better than ever,” said Outdoor Program Coordinator Alec Sica.

Sica joined the Outdoor Program, or the OP as most people at Mesa call it, about two years ago. He said the focus during that time has been expanding into new sports that aren’t available at other universities’ outdoor programs and utilizing the abundance of outdoor recreation space in their own back yard.

The front desk of the OP buzzed with activity–rentals, gear inspections, chatter about the next outing. The backdrop of the front desk is a winding mural of the section of Colorado River that runs through the Grand Valley and into Utah. Rock climbing gear hangs from the rafters and the walls opposite the desk are plastered in photographs from past outings.

Recently, the OP started offering trips all over Colorado for ice fishing, fly fishing and spin casting. This program expansion is led by Assistant Coordinator Irah Wooten who is a former professional fishing guide. At 5 p.m. every Wednesday during the semester, the OP hosts an in-house fly-tying workshop. Students are empowered to try out their fly with live fishing on an outing.

May 2 is their next fishing trip: “Fork Yeah: Roaring Fork Fishing.” It’s $80 per person for this overnight opportunity with travel, food, gear and instruction included. Interested students do need a valid Colorado fishing license, but Sica said they’re more than happy to give people information on where to get one.

Warmer weather means it’s time for rock climbing, canyoneering, rafting, camping and hiking. There are two events just for ladies and led by ladies–Lady’s Climbing and Lady’s Backpacking.

“Anyone that identifies as a woman–welcome to join us on these trips,” Sica said. “Kind of a great way, especially if you are a woman and you’re a little intimidated about getting involved in sports that maybe are a little bit more male-dominated, this is a safe space for you to come out and feel welcomed as a part of a community there.”

The OP had two rafting trips available in late April and early May but those spaces filled quickly. Sica said they have plans for more in the fall–another Ruby Horsethief and Gunnison float as well as a Moab Daily. He said the Moab Daily will give students looking for some thrills the opportunity to get out on some bigger water.

Students lead most of the trips at the OP. They undergo a series of training to prepare them for whatever the outdoors may bring. For example, all the OP’s raft guides learn swift water rescue techniques and have to have 50 hours of on-river training before they’re able to guide trips.

All upcoming events can be viewed and booked on the OP’s website calendar. They also offer gear rentals for practically every type of outdoor recreation activity–kayaks, canoes, ice climbing gear, yard games like bocci ball, slacklines and gear for cross-country skiing. All of which come at a steep discount for students.

Sica said the OP has partnered with Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) to be able to offer programming for students with mobility limitations. He said the OP itself doesn’t have the capacity to run adaptive trips but this partnership provides an avenue for bodies of all ability levels to get out and recreate.

Another major addition to OP programming is off-roading. Sica said they partnered with Adrenaline Driven Adventures, based here in Grand Junction, to offer students desert off-roading excursions north of town at the base of the Bookcliffs. Their final trip of the year is the “North Desert Offroad” on May 9, but Sica said that trip filled up within a couple of hours.

The OP is a student organization funded partly by student fees in addition to their revenue from the rental shop. They’re open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day and Sica encouraged students to come hang out and get stoked on getting outside.

“The outdoor program is a really special place. It’s a really beautiful place. It’s really meaningful to a lot of people here. I am so lucky to be a part of this place,” Sica said.