<h2>Spring 2008 Outdoor Recreation Trips!</h2>The Outdoor Recreation program at SIUE offers the university community a variety of exciting opportunities to experience the great outdoors. From weekend biking, caving or climbing trips, to backpacking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon or skiing the beautiful slopes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, they have something for just about everyone. Participants visit some of the most beautiful places in the United States, learn more about themselves and others, and make lasting friendships.<!--EndFragment--><p>To find out how you can take part in any of the exciting trips listed below, <a href="http://www.siue.edu/crec/outdoors/" target="_blank">click here</a> to visit the Campus Recreation web site.</p><p><strong>Eagle Watch at Pere Marquette State Park – February 2, 2008</strong> <br />Take a guided driving tour with a park ranger to find out more about our national bird, the Bald Eagle.</p><p><strong>Ice Skating at Forest Park – February 9, 2008</strong> <br />Spend the afternoon with friends at the ice rink in Forest Park!</p><p><strong>Spelunking at Illinois Caverns – February 16, 2008 </strong><br />Come explore 6 miles of passages cut through bedded limestone!</p><p><strong>Leave No Trace Education Clinic – February 19, 2008</strong> <br />Learn the basic skills needed to become an efficient backpacker. We will teach Leave No Trace concepts as well as wilderness ethics, how to pack a backpack, and terminology. FREE!</p><p><strong>Climbing Festival – February 21, 2008 & April 17, 2008</strong> <br />New to the wall? Find out how to get started at our Climbing Festival! Free climbing, food, and prizes!</p><p><strong>Bike Maintenance Clinic – March 2, 2008 </strong><br />Experts from the Edwardsville Cyclery will be on hand to teach basic maintenance skills for you bike!</p><p><strong>Spring Break Trip – March 7-14, 2008</strong> <br />Looking for something new and exciting to do during spring break? Join us and have a great time exploring Big Bend National Park. In addition to camping and hiking, you will have a chance to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park as well!</p><p><strong>Great River Road Bike Ride – March 29, 2008</strong> <br />Get some great exercise while biking 28 miles up the Great River Road!</p><p><strong>Afternoon Hike at Pere Marquette State Park – April 4, 2008</strong> <br />Enjoy the fresh spring breeze and budding flowers while you hike the trails.</p><p><strong>Backcountry Cooking Clinic – April 5, 2008 </strong><br />Learn how to prepare simple meals for your next camping adventure!</p><p><strong>Backcountry Camping at Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry – April 12 & 13, 2008</strong> <br />Experience the wildness and solitude of the Missouri park system's largest undeveloped area in the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry.</p><p><strong>Rock Climbing & Camping at Jackson Falls – April 26 & 27, 2008 </strong><br />Spend the day at beautiful Jackson Falls in Southern Illinois rock climbing, bouldering, and exploring trails. No experience necessary.</p>