Enjoying the Great Outdoors
If you enjoy nature’s playground, the Biddeford Campus of SWAGÊÓƵ 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 SWAGÊÓƵ students have fun on the weekends. Grab your gear, and get going.
Clubs
Recreation Council
The Recreation Council is made up of the following clubs. The clubs of the Recreation Council encourage new members to .
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.
The SWAGÊÓƵ 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.
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 SWAGÊÓƵ pool and enjoys the warm water to practice skills and have fun.
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.
With some of the best surfing on the east coast just minutes from the SWAGÊÓƵ 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 '21
Welcoming Community
I really loved the kind of people that are at SWAGÊÓƵ — 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 SWAGÊÓƵ. It felt like a tight-knit community. Everybody is so friendly and kind. I really felt at home when I first toured here.
SWAGÊÓƵ 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 SWAGÊÓƵ. 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 SWAGÊÓƵ, but I think it’s so important to get involved in whatever you’re passionate about. Just do whatever makes you happy. SWAGÊÓƵ 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.
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 — SWAGÊÓƵ’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.
- Download the On-Bike Share App to your Android or Apple phone.
- Register for the SWAGÊÓƵ Nor'Easter Bike Share program using your SWAGÊÓƵ email address. Accept waiver and terms of program use.
- Verification will go to your SWAGÊÓƵ email. Complete the steps outlined in this email.
- 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.
- Dock bike to the pin on the rack.
- Ensure bike securely locked to rack.
- The rental will end automatically.
| 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 |
- 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.