Enjoying the Great Outdoors

If you enjoy nature’s playground, the Biddeford Campus of ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ is the place to be. Located so close to many outdoor recreation areas, your choices for fun in the great outdoors are endless. Canoeing, kayaking, skiing, sailing, hiking, biking, surfing, camping, rock climbing, or lying on the beach are all ways that ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ students have fun on the weekends. Grab your gear, and get going.

A member of the U N E surf club catches a wave

Clubs

Recreation Council

The Recreation Council is made up of the following clubs. The clubs of the Recreation Council encourage new members to .

Outing Club

One of the largest clubs on campus, Outing Club offers members numerous opportunities to explore Maine and New Hampshire — including an annual spring break trip. If you like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or camping, then Outing Club is for you.

Sailing Club

The ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Sailing Club offers learn-to-sail clinics throughout the semester in 420 sailboats steps from residence halls. Additional off-campus charters on traditional Maine Schooners and the opportunity to race amongst other collegiate teams keep students involved.

Scuba Club (Under Pressure)

Want to learn to Scuba Dive? Scuba Club hosts PADI certification classes and open-water dives each year. When the water gets too cold, the club moves into the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ pool and enjoys the warm water to practice skills and have fun.

Ski and Board club (Ride 24/7)

Want to spend your winter on the mountain? Ride 24/7 provides rides to local mountains, discounted season passes, and local events that share the love of alpine sports.

Surf Club

With some of the best surfing on the east coast just minutes from the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ campus, Surf Club has a great time teaching students how to surf and getting out on the waves. Join the club and borrow equipment anytime to catch a wave (restrictions apply).

Mitchell Becker stands smiling at the camera atop a mountain. We see blue lakes and green mountains in the background

Mitchell Becker '21

Medical Biology, Medical Biology (Medical Sciences)

Welcoming Community

I really loved the kind of people that are at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ — the community. When I came onto campus for my first tour, that's when I noticed that there was something special about the students at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥. It felt like a tight-knit community. Everybody is so friendly and kind. I really felt at home when I first toured here.

³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ is awesome — it was a perfect fit for me, and I’ve been so happy for my four years here. I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else.

Beyond the Classroom

I love all of the opportunities that we have on campus for stuff to do. My involvement first started at the clubs and organizations fair at the beginning of the school year when I first got to ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥. I saw the Outing Club table from a mile away. They had a tent set up and some surf boards and other equipment out. I knew it was the table for me, so I rushed over and signed myself up. I became an officer my junior year and have continued since. I’ve taken on more responsibilities each year and have just been having so much fun with it. I love picking what we get to do.

My favorite trip is the Acadia trip. Outing Club has an annual trip there in October, so it’s when it is starting to get cold, and the leaves are changing. We stay at a campground for three days and two nights, and we get to see all of the beautiful foliage. We go on a lot of hikes. It’s a great time to get outside and take a mental break. It feels good to just be with friends and not have to stress about homework.

We also take weekly evening trips to go rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym in Portland, and we take trips to hike on the weekends. I love the chance to get out to the White Mountains to hike.

It doesn’t really matter what you get into at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥, but I think it’s so important to get involved in whatever you’re passionate about. Just do whatever makes you happy. ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ is really here to serve the students, so whatever students are interested in, they come up with the resources for.

Outing Club has an annual trip to Acadia in October, so it’s when it is starting to get cold, and the leaves are changing. We stay at a campground for three days and two nights, and we get to see all of the beautiful foliage. It’s a great time to get outside and take a mental break.
Medical Biology, Medical Biology (Medical Sciences)

Equipment Room

The Equipment Room is fully stocked for your next outdoor adventure. Check out our offerings in the Campus Center, including:

  • Backpacks
  • XC skis and boots
  • Wetsuits
  • Camping equipment such as sleeping bags, rain guards, cooking items, and more
  • Bike and ski/snowboard repair and tuning
  • Maps and guidebooks

Hours

Outdoor Recreation equipment is available for rent Thursday through Sunday each week. To ask about equipment availability email the Equipment Room at equipmentrentals@une.edu. For questions, consultation on available equipment, or to request equipment outside standard reservation times email Mira D’Amato, coordinator of Outdoor Recreation and Education at mdamato1@une.edu

Nor’Easter Bike Share

No bike, no problem — ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥â€™s Nor’easter Bike Share is designed to make your life on campus more mobile and enjoyable. Whether you want to ride across campus or to the beach, this opportunity was made for you. It’s free for students to use and bikes are available at three locations, Campus Center, Alfond Forum, and Padua Residence Hall.

To register for ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Nor’easter Bike Share
  1. Download the On-Bike Share App to your Android or Apple phone. 
  2. Register for the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ Nor'Easter Bike Share program using your ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ email address. Accept waiver and terms of program use. 
  3. Verification will go to your ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ email. Complete the steps outlined in this email. 
     
To check out a bike
  • Open the On-Bike Share App. 
  • Click on Available Bikes and wait for bikes to load. 
  • Use your phone’s Bluetooth. Select the number of the bike you want to rent. 
  • Bike will electronically unlock from the rack.
  • Inspect bike prior to ride. Report any issue in the On-Bike Share App. Bikes must be returned to a docking station.
     
To return a bike
  • Dock bike to the pin on the rack. 
  • Ensure bike securely locked to rack. 
  • The rental will end automatically. 
     
Biddeford Campus bike rack locations
Building Location
Morgane Hall  Main entrance
Decary Hall Main and  admissions entrances
Pickus Hall  Main entrance
Ketchum Library  Main entrance
Leonard Hall Main entrance
Featherman Hall Front and back of the building
Avila Hall End of the building closest to Assisi Hall
Padua Hall End of the building closest to Siena Hall
Siena Hall Left side of the building
Alfond Science Building Main entrance near Stella Maris Hall
Assisi Hall Backside of the building, near laundry entrance
East Hall Riverside entrance
West Hall Riverside entrance
Freddie Hall  End of the building, towards Hills Beach Rd.
Champlain Hall Main entrance
Marine Science Building Main entrance
Petts Health Center Main entrance
Sokokis Hall  Pond side of the building
Creative Arts Building Behind the building, near the parking lot
Program rules
  • Rental periods are 4 hours long and only occur from 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in suspension of usage.  
  • Secure your bike properly when not in use during your reservation period to avoid your rental being stolen. Stolen, unreturned, or damaged bikes are the responsibility of the renter and may be charged to your student account. The bike replacement cost is $875.
  • When on campus, please use any available bike rack to secure your rental. Securing your rental to a tree or post is not permitted.
  • Bikes may be taken off campus and transported on buses. Plan accordingly to return your bike within the 4-hour time limit and/or by 11 p.m. 

Watch: Bike Share Tutorial