Adventure Rules

• A valid form of identification must be presented at the time of equipment pick-up.
• Equipment return dates/times will be scheduled at the time of reservation. If patrons are unable to return at the scheduled time, please call (309) 438-8419 prior to the scheduled return time.
• Equipment returns may be scheduled to be returned outside of open RAC hours at the time of equipment pick-up, dependent on staff availability.

Equipment rentals are available to adult residents of central Illinois in addition to current ISU students, faculty, and staff.

Equipment requests are made through a Request Form found on our website.

Equipment may be reserved up to 30 days in advance and at least 24 hours in advance of the requested pick-up date. Rentals are available for pick-up & returns on weekdays only. Same-day rentals are available on a first-come first-served basis dependent on equipment availability.

All equipment is available for rent by the day. Rental rates are determined by a flat daily rate for each item. Rentals for less than 24 hours will still be assessed the single daily fee. Equipment may be rented up to 11 days. Contact us if you need to rent equipment for longer than that.

Equipment is rented in serviceable condition. It is the renter’s right and responsibility to inspect and report damaged or missing equipment prior to leaving the Adventure Center and to report damaged or missing equipment at that time. If damage or missing parts are discovered after leaving, it must be reported to the Adventure Center at (309) 438-8419 prior to close of business the same day the rental started in order to exchange the item and avoid damage fees upon return.

No refunds will be issued for rented equipment. Early returns will not receive refunds.

Payment can be made by Check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Cards, google pay, apple pay, and Samsung pay.

• Checks must be made out to: “Illinois State University Campus Recreation”
• Debit cards are NOT accepted.
• Cash is no longer accepted

• Late Fees: It is the responsibility of the renter to return equipment by the due date identified at the time of the rental. Equipment returned after the date it is due, or only partially returned, will incur a late fee of up to $10 per item, in addition to the daily rental rate for each additional day the equipment is not returned.
• Cleaning Fees: It is the responsibility of the renter to return clean equipment. Equipment returned excessively dirty, as determined by Adventure team members, will be assessed cleaning fees.
• Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Fees: The renter is responsible for using the equipment in the manner it is intended to be used. The renter is responsible for paying the full costs of repair or replacement of equipment that is damaged, lost, stolen, or not returned. These fees are assessed by the Program Coordinator.

• It is the responsibility of the renter to load and unload rented boat(s) from their vehicle and to secure the boat(s) to their vehicle for travel. If assistance is needed in loading, securing, or unloading a rented boat, the renter should plan accordingly and bring additional people.
• The Adventure program offers canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding watercrafts. Water sports are inherently dangerous. Small environmental changes may affect the water conditions very quickly. Paddlers should evaluate the river/body of water they intend to paddle and be aware of the skill level required to navigate safely. Only expert paddlers should attempt to paddle during adverse weather conditions. It is your responsibility to paddle within your ability level; paddling above your ability may result in injury and/or possible death.
• Current conditions for the body of water that you are about to paddle should be assessed immediately prior to putting in. Conditions can fluctuate in a 24-hour period and require that you monitor them closely prior to and during a trip. It is your responsibility to check weather and water conditions prior to paddling.
• Campus Recreation at Illinois State University requires that all persons using a watercraft wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and carry all necessary safety equipment when paddling. Paddling strokes and rescue skills should be learned and practiced prior to venturing onto open water.
• Illinois law prohibits boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

ISU students, Faculty, and Staff are eligible to participate. To receive the student rate, participants must be enrolled in classes full time.

Most trips do not require an prior experience or specific skills, but patrons should review the trip description to ensure they meet all prerequisites and minimum experience requirements for the trip. Participants must attend all mandatory pre-trip meetings. These requirements & meetings are listed in the trip description on the website and in the trip “details” section during registration. If the above requirements are not met, participation and funds paid will be forfeited.

Trip costs generally cover the following expenses: transportation, camping and entry fees, instruction, and most equipment. Overnight trips and some day trips also cover meals. Any costs not covered will be explained at registration or at the pre-trip meeting.

Transportation is provided from campus to each trip location. All participants are expected to travel together on each trip; personal vehicles are not permitted.

Registration for Adventure trips and activities is nonrefundable unless extenuating circumstances exist. The Adventure Program reserves the right to cancel or change a trip due to low enrollment, inclement weather, environmental hazards, or any other reason deemed necessary. Participants will receive a full refund for any trip canceled by the Adventure Program prior to the trip start date. No refunds will be issued for changes made during the trip.

Adventure Programs are designed to be collaborative experiences between leaders and participants. Because trips are group activities, and individual’s actions on the trip can positively or negatively impact the group and it is important they be aware of their actions and their impacts. Participants are expected to actively engage in the entire trip experience, this includes:

• Stay with the group – do not go off on your own
• Participate in the trip activity for which you registered (e.g. kayak on a kayaking trip, hike on a hiking trip, etc.)
• Assist with trip tasks such as loading/unloading equipment, tent set-up, cooking, and cleaning.
• Refrain from using electronic devices during group time or during the activity.
• Participants are expected to remain self-aware and make choices that are in their best interest and in the best interest of the group. Trip activities can pose inherent challenges that can push participants outside of their comfort zones and provide opportunities for learning and growth. Participants have choices in how they engage in each the trip activity, for example: climbers can choose to be lowered before reaching the top of a route while on a climbing trip.

Participants are responsible for using trip equipment in the manner it is intended to be used. Some equipment may be issued to individual participants and is entered on an equipment checklist. Participants are responsible for the equipment issued to them. Participants will be assessed and charged for any lost or damaged equipment, outside of normal wear and tear. Participants may bring their own outdoor equipment, but Adventure Team Members must inspect it to ensure it is suitable for the trip.

Participants who engage in scheduled activities that occur inside the Student Fitness Center are expected to abide by all Student Fitness Center Rules.

The Adventure Program reserves the right to send home early any participant who cannot withstand the rigors of the trip, who violates any ISU policy or law, who is deemed to be a danger to him/herself or others, or who requires medical attention during the trip and is deemed ineligible to continue participation. NO REFUND will be issued for early departures. Accommodations and transportation back to campus will be at the expense of the participant. If a participant violates a law or is found using or in possession of illegal drugs, law enforcement will also be contacted. No warnings will be given. Adventure Program staff members hold an authoritative role in any such situation.

Illinois State University’s Codes of Conduct are enforced on all Adventure programs. Participation is a privilege and you are expected to be a good citizen and respect the rights of others. Individuals who engage in unacceptable or irresponsible behavior may have their ability to participate revoked or modified indefinitely as determined by the Executive Director of Campus Recreation. Students may be subject to further University disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. This conduct may include:

• Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco: Purchase, consumption, and/or possession of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco is prohibited. If you carry personal medications, you must indicate this on your health screening form and keep the medication labeled and in your possession.
• Misconduct: Sexual conduct of any kind between participants can negatively impact the experience of the entire group. It is expected that there will be no sexual conduct, even among consenting adults, for the duration of the trip or activity.
• Damage to property
• Harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.

Most team building programs occur at the Redbird Adventure Center (RAC). All rules for the RAC apply to those participating in team building programs at the RAC. If the program takes place at another space, such as the Student Fitness Center or offsite, it is your responsibility to follow all facility-specific policies.

Groups must complete a Team Building Program Request form, found online . A professional team member will follow up with the group contact within one week to confirm group goals, needs, group size, and program date. The group contact will then receive a program agreement and facility agreement. Once the agreements are returned, signed, payment will be due. It is recommended that groups select a program date at least 2 weeks in advance of the date they submit the request form.

Team Building Programs are open to community groups in addition to ISU Faculty, staff, and students.

Participants must be 12 years of age or over to participate in team building programs.

All participants must be able to fit into a climbing harness provided by the Adventure Program. Adventure team members have the discretion to refuse any climbers who cannot wear a climbing harness as intended by the manufacturer. Each participant must weigh less than 275lbs in order to climb any high ropes elements; those who weigh over 275lbs may participate in low ropes elements & activities on the ground.

Note on accessibility: team building activities, including 80% of the low and high ropes course elements, were designed to be accessible to individuals with different abilities. Contact us for more information.

Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone when participating in Teambuilding activities. Adult chaperones must remain in the program area with the minors throughout the program.

The ISU Protection of Minors Program outlines all policies and criteria that applies to programs that include minors, including information on chaperones.

All participants must complete and sign two forms prior to participating in a Team building program. These are: The Participant Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement and Health Screening Form. An electronic copy of these forms will be provided to the group in advance of the program. It is the responsibility of the group contact to share these with all members of their organization prior to the program day. Forms must be returned, completed, by the start of the scheduled program day. Minors must have a parent or guardian sign their forms prior to participating.

The information on these forms are kept confidential. It will be seen only by staff, medical personnel, or others who know and understand its confidential nature. After reviewing this form, Facilitators may contact a participant to discuss anything noted on the form that may impact their participation in the Adventure Program.

The facility use agreement and program agreement outline the most up-do-date cancellation and refund policies. For most programs, if cancellation notice is given ten business days prior to the scheduled event 100% of fees will be refunded. Campus Recreation has the right to cancel the scheduled event if groups do not return the agreed upon forms and payment by the deadline identified. Campus Recreation has the right to cancel the scheduled event due to inclement weather or environmental hazards. Cancellation by Campus Recreation entitles your organization to reschedule, at a mutually agreed upon time, at no additional charge.

Closed-toe athletic shoes are required in all activity areas. Programs will operate rain or shine, on hot and cold days so all participants are asked to wear weather-appropriate, athletic clothing while participating in activities. On the high ropes course, participants must remove all jewelry including: earrings, necklaces and rings.

Illinois State University’s codes of conduct are enforced at all Team building programs. Use of Illinois State University facilities is a privilege and participants are expected to be good citizens and respect the rights of others. Individuals who engage in unacceptable or irresponsible behavior may have their ability to participate revoked or modified indefinitely as determined by the Executive Director of Campus Recreation. Students may be subject to further university disciplinary action as outlined in the Illinois State University Code of Student Conduct .