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Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center

Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center

The Outdoor Recreation Center

Find everything for your next excursion in one place. We offer a variety of quality outdoor equipment for Vanderbilt University students and Rec members.  

Outdoor Recreation Center Summer Hours

Mondays & Fridays: Noon - 6 p.m.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3 - 6 p.m.

For Bonnaroo: open Wed. 6/12 and 6/19 from 3 - 6 p.m.
For July 4th weekend:
- The ORC will be open on Wednesday, July 3 from 3 - 6 p.m.
- The ORC will be closed on Thursday, July 4.

How to make a reservation or rent gear: 

To rent equipment, a Vanderbilt student, faculty/staff, or medical staff ID card must be present.

  1. Come to the Outdoor Recreation Center up to 30 days in advance.
  2. Present your Vanderbilt student, faculty/staff, or medical center ID (VU Alumni can rent at a slightly higher fee).
  3. Pick out your equipment.
  4. Pay for the reservation with cash, credit, commodore card, or check.
  5. Return on the start day of your reservation and pick up your gear.
    • We can only do reservations in person and not over the phone.
    • A weekend price covers Thursday to Monday.
    • Cancellations more than 42 hours in advance will receive a full refund. 18-42 hours in advance will receive a 50% refund.
    • Cancellations made less than 18 hours in advance will not receive a refund.
    • To cancel a reservation, call the ORC during hours or email outdoorrec@vanderbilt.edu.

Equipment Rental Rates:


 Boats (Canoes and Kayaks)

  • Please pick up/return all boats by 5:30 pm.
  • The renter is responsible for the safe loading and transportation of the boat(s). The ORC staff can assist with the loading/unloading of kayaks and canoes on/off vehicles. 

Equipment Return

  • Return equipment to the ORC only during business hours.
  • Please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before closing time.
  • Returned items are expected to be reasonable clean.
  • Fees will be charged for late, damaged, lost, stolen, or excessively dirty equipment.
  • Equipment does not to be returned by the renter; other individuals may return the equipment 

Charges

  • For equipment returned after the due date, a late charge be incurred.
  • A late charge will be calculated:

- 1-2 ORC business days late equals a 35% fine of the rental fee

- 3-4 ORC business days late equals a 50% fine of the rental fee

- 5-6 ORC business days late equals a 100% fine of the rental fee

  • The renter is responsible for the full replacement cost of all equipment not returned, damaged, lost, or stolen.
  • A cleaning charge of $5, $10, or $15 per item will be assess for equipment requiring cleaning.
  • If a boat is picked up or returned after 5:30 pm, a $10 fee will be charged.

Vanderbilt Student Groups

Are you a student group interested in having the Outdoor Recreation Center outfit your retreat, campout, or event?

Special Rules for Non-Vanderbilt Affiliates

You must know someone who attends classes at Vanderbilt or works at Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt Medical Center.

  1. Complete the renter authorization for non-VU form.
  2. Submit a photocopy of the Vanderbilt affiliate's driver's license.
  3. Bring form and copy of driver's license to the Outdoor Recreation Center.