TOUCH THE EARTH
Touch the Earth, Recreational Services' outdoor recreation program, offers a wide variety of experiences designed for all skill levels and led by a team of experienced volunteer trip leaders and facilitators. Trips include equipment, transportation, leadership and logistical planning are provided. All overnight trips include meals while in the field. Unless stated, no prior experience is required.
Touch the Earth also offers a 40-foot climbing wall for drop-in use, equipment rental to help support personal adventures and a high ropes course for all your team-building needs.
Trips
Date
Jan. 13
Jan. 13-16
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Jan. 29
Feb. 5
Feb. 18
Feb. 25
Feb. 25-26
Mar. 4
Mar. 5
Mar. 11-18
Mar. 25
Mar. 26
Mar. 30
Apr. 1-2
Apr. 2
Apr. 6
Apr. 7-9
Apr. 9
Apr. 15
Apr. 16
Apr. 15-16
Apr. 22
Apr. 22
Apr. 23
May 31 - Jun 6
Day(s)
Fri
Fri-Mon
Fri
Fri
Sun
Sun
Sat
Sat
Sat-Sun
Sat
Sun
Sat-Sat
Sat
Sun
Thur
Sat-Sun
Sun
Thur
Fri-Sun
Sun
Sat
Sun
Sat-Sun
Sat
Sat
Sun
Wed-Tues
Trip
Cataloochee Ski & Board
Florida Manatee & Paddle
Cataloochee Ski & Board
Cataloochee Ski & Board
Ice Skating
Intro to Caving
Beginner Archery & Tallulah Hike
Hogg Mine Gemstone Dig
Cathedral Caverns & Howard’s Cave
Silver Comet Bike Trail & Picnic
Hike Marble Mine Trail, James H. Floyd State Park
Spring Break: Arizona & Utah National Park Tour*
Intro to Climbing
Horseback Riding
ATL Bike & Ice Cream Tour
Intro to Whitewater Kayaking & Camp
Blood Mountain Day Hike
Intro to Target/Skeet Shooting
Intro to Backpacking
Shoot the Hooch: Intro to Recreational Kayaking
Nantahala Rafting
Intro to Outdoor Bouldering
Camping at Russell Lake & SUP
Athens Strawberry Picking and Botanical Garden Hike
Whitewater Tubing Adventure Cartecay River
Desoto Falls Waterfall Rappel
Arkansas Horseshoe Canyon Climbing & Hike
*Please note that the spring break national parks tour trip does not include airfare. Upon registration, participants are responsible for booking their own flights to Pheonix International Airport. Flights should be booked to arrive on March 11, no later than 11:30 a.m., and return flights should be booked no earlier than 4 p.m. on March 18, 2023. In the event the trip is canceled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, it is advised to purchase travel insurance for your flight. Due to the nature of break trips, an initial $200 deposit is due February 10 and is nonrefundable. If registering after the initial deposit deadline, payment in full will be due at the time of registration. All final payments will be due March 6.
Cost
$50, $55
$180, $200
$50, $55
$50, $55
$19, $20
$15, $18
$15, $17
$60, $65
$60, $65
$12, $15
$8, $10
$570, $630
$15, $18
$63, $65
$10, $12
$65, $70
$8, $10
$65, $70
$50, $55
$20, $25
$30, $35
$15, $18
$65, $70
$17, $18
$20, $25
$18, $22
$215, $240
Clinics & Special Events
Date
Jan. 24
Jan. 28
Feb. 2
Feb. 4
Feb. 9
Feb. 12
Feb. 16
Feb. 21
Mar. 1
Mar. 28
Apr. 11
Apr. 13
Time
5-8 p.m.
12-5 p.m.
5-8 p.m.
1-3:30 p.m.
5-8 p.m.
12-3 p.m.
5-8:30 p.m.
5:30-7:30 pm
12-2 p.m.
5-8 p.m.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
6-9 p.m.
Clinic/Event
Top Rope Belay
Lead Climbing
BIPOC Open Climb Night
Advanced Climbing Strength & Movement
Top Rope Belay
Womxn’s Open Boulder & Climb
Valentines Partners Climbing Comp
Kayak Roll & Skills Clinic
Rappel the Rec
Whitewater Kayaking Self Rescue & Skills Clinic
Kayak Roll & Skills Clinic
Bonfire & Zipline
Cost
$5, $8
$8, $12
$5, $8
$5, $8
$5, $8
FREE
$15, $20
$12, $15
FREE
$12, $15
$12, $15
$12, $15
Trip Leader Training & Leadership Development
Date
Jan. 5-6
Jan. 7 & 8
Feb. 18 & 19
Feb. 24
Mar. 17-19
May 8-12
Time
8:30-5:30 pm
All Day
All Day
12-5 p.m.
8:30-5:30 p.m.
All Day
Event
Challenge Course Training Part 1
Caving Guide Training
Rock Site Management
Backpacker Basics & Orienteering: Bamboo Forest Hike
Challenge Course Facilitator Training Part 2
Trip Leader Training Backpacking Expedition
*Free for those interested in becoming hired to work at the ICRA Challenge Course Program
** Spots are limited and intended for those serious about volunteering. Registration will admit you to the application review for attendance but does not guarantee participation on the trip.
Cost
FREE*
$35, $40
$35, $40
$8, $10
FREE*
FREE**
Policies
Registration
Register in Touch the Earth's outdoor equipment rental center or online. The entrance is on the lower level through the outside entrance behind the Student Recreation Center. For trips, you must register by the Tuesday before the trip. For clinics and special events, you must register the day before. Pay with cash, check, credit card or PantherCash. Trips fill early. A liability waiver will be signed at the time of registration.
Unless otherwise noted, trips are designed to include gear, instruction, transportation and permits. Food will be supplied for overnight trips only.
Cost categories are as follows:
- Current students
- Recreation members
- Non-member*
*To register for trips as a non-member, you must be faculty, staff or alumni of Georgia State. (not available currently due to University guidelines)
Pre-Trip Meetings
Refunds
No refunds will be given for deposits on break trips. Money paid toward the trip balance is not refundable after the date of the pre-trip meeting. Payment deadlines must be met or trip spot and all payments will be forfeited.
Volunteer Trip Leading
Hours & Info
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
December 6 -15
Monday - Friday: 12 - 5 p.m.
Equipment must be picked up and returned during the above hours.
Closures and Special Rental Deals
Closed September 5 for Memorial Day: 33% off
Closed November 20-25: 40% off
Closed December 16-January 9 for Winter Break
Parking for Loading and Unloading
A voucher will be provided by the parking attendant upon arrival. The voucher will need to be validated by the Touch the Earth personnel in order to exit the parking lot. Parking is for 20 minutes. Park in the space marked Touch the Earth. No parking on the sidewalk. Call 404-413-1772.
Policies
- Rental equipment is limited to fee-paying students, Recreation members and non-member faculty/staff
- Reservations can be made up to five days in advance. Bikes are the only exception. Payment will be due upon pick up.
- All rentals are priced on a per night charge; no modifications to this rate will be made.
- A $1 per item per day late fee is charged in addition to the daily rental fee. Exception: Bikes are charged $20 per day.
- Upon return, all tents will receive a full inspection. Pending the number of returns, the inspection could take place within a week of return.
- For equipment that needs to be repaired or cleaned, you will be charged $15/hour, up to the original cost of the equipment. Fees associated with these costs will be assessed within a week of equipment return.
- Failure to pay late fees or damages may result in a hold on your account or suspended rental privileges.
Items & Pricing
Item | Price per Night |
Limit per Person | |
Bike Rental | |||
Commuter style bike**** | $2, $3, $5 | 1 | |
Bike rack | $2, $3, $5 | 1 | |
Bike U-lock | $1, $1.50, $2 | 1 | |
Backpacking & Camping | |||
Backpack (65 liter) | $3, $4, $6 | 4 | |
Backpack stove* | $3, $4, $5 | 3 | |
2-burner stove* | $4, $6, $7 | 4 | |
Battery lantern | $3, $4, $5 | 2 | |
Cooler | $3, $4, $5 | 2 | |
Cook kit (backpack or family) | $2, $3, $5 | 3 | |
Camping Hammock (rainfly and bug net) | $6, $7, $8 | 2 | |
Hammock: Single Person | $2, $3, $4 | 2 | |
Day Pack (30 liter) | $1.50, $2, $2.50 | 4 | |
Hammock: Double Person | $3, $4, $5 | 2 | |
Quickdry towel | $1, $2, $3 | 2 | |
Tarp (10' x 10') | $2, $3, $4 | 3 | |
Tent (three/four-person)*** | $4, $5, $10 | 2 | |
Tent (one/two-person)*** | $3, $4, $8 | 2 | |
Tent (six person)*** | $5, $6, $12 | 2 | |
Sleeping bag | $4, $5, $7 | 5 | |
Sleeping pad | $2, $3, $4 | 5 | |
Boating***** | |||
Canoe: flatwater | $10, $12, $20 | 2 | |
Canoe: whitewater* | $20, $25, $30 | 1 | |
Camp/canoe seat | $2, $3, $4 | 4 | |
Car kit | $2, $3, $5 | 4 | |
Dry bag (20 Liter) | $2, $3, $4 | 2 | |
Dry bag (60 Liter backpack) | $4, $6, $8 | 2 | |
Inflatable Stand-up Paddleboard | $10, $12, $20 | 2 | |
Kayak: recreational (sit on top or sit in) | $8, $10, $15 | 2 | |
Kayak: tandem recreational | $15, $18, $30 | 1 | |
Kayak: whitewater* | $12, $15, $20 | 1 | |
PFD | $1, $.1.50, $2 | 6 | |
Splash jacket | $2, $3, $5 | 4 | |
Wetsuit - Farmer John/Jane | $4, $5, $6 | 4 | |
Bouldering | |||
Climbing Shoes | $3, $4, $5 | 2 | |
Crash pad | $5, $7, $10 | 2 |
* Requires completion of Touch the Earth clinic/school & permission of Outdoor Recreation Coordinator. Call 404-413-1773 a week in advance.
**Customer will receive a stove with the equivalent of one full canister of fuel.
***A maximum of two tents per customer can be rented at one time regardless of tent size.
**** Rental period up to three consecutive days maximum. Helmet, lock and lights provided. Late fee $20/day. Can't be reserved in advance.
*****All watercraft rentals come with paddles and PFDs.
The Challenge Program offers people innovative ways to improve their abilities when working with others. This learn-by-doing approach focuses on creative problem solving and effective communication. Join us for a day of fun experiences that will activate inner resources, increase trust and enhance group cohesion. Each program is tailored to meet the needs of the group. The team of facilitators has experience with clubs, office units, social organizations and corporate groups. Eligible users are limited to Georgia State registered student organizations and departments.
Where is the program facilitated?
The lodge and outdoor ropes course are located in the Indian Creek Recreation Area off South Indian Creek Drive. Team building sessions can also be conducted on any of the Georgia State campuses.
Guidelines
- Submit a request by clicking "Request Challenge Program"
- Reserve date at least three weeks in advance
- Make final payment at least 10 days in advance to avoid cancellation
- Confirm all details no later than two weeks in advance
- A minimum of a 10-person charge is required and the maximum is 70.
- For the high ropes course, the weight limit is 250 pounds.
Costs
- Registered Student Organizations
- 2-hour event: $10/person
- Half-day (low elements only) event: $12/person
- Half-day (high elements) event: $16/person (currently, high elements are not available)
- Full-day event: $30/person
- Departments
- 2-hour event: $15/person
- Half-day (low elements only) event: $18/person
- Half-day (high elements) event: $20/person (currently, high elements are not available)
- Full-day event: $40/person
If bringing in food/catering during our programming, additional fees may be assessed based on the potential impact on the staff.
Ropes Course
The low ropes course consists of 13 individual elements located throughout the property and serves as a great way for groups to come together and target developmental skills and collaboration. The challenges call upon every member of the group to participate and offer endless opportunities for self-discovery.
Special Programs
Patrons may climb for free during the posted hours. Climbing shoes may be checked out at the Equipment Issue Desk adjacent to the Climbing Wall.
Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
December 6 - 15
Monday - Friday: 12 - 5 p.m.
Closed: September 5, November 20-25, December 16-January 9
Policies
Belay Certification Clinics
Cost: $4, $6
For certification renewal, you can demonstrate practical skills to the on-duty climbing supervisor at no cost. Experienced climbers may take the written and practical tests without the clinic. Certification is valid for one year. By appointment only.
Lead Climbing
Cost: $8, $10
Minors
ADA Climbing
At the TTE Rental center, we offer commuter-style bike rentals for a maximum of three days consecutively. Helmets, locks and lights are provided. We also offer tube sales and referrals to local bike shops for bike repairs you may need. Check out Panther Bikes!
Commuter Style Bike Rental (per day)
$2: Students
$3: Rec members
$5: Non-members
Late fee: $20 per day
Tube sale
$7
General Questions
Email
[email protected]
Phone
404-413-1750 - Atlanta campus
678-891-2728 - Perimeter campuses
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Locations
Atlanta
Student Recreation Center
101 Piedmont Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Clarkston
Building CG
555 N Indian Creek Dr
Clarkston, GA 30021
Decatur
Building SC
3251 Panthersville Rd
Decatur, GA 30034
Dunwoody
Building NF
2101 Womack Rd
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Newton
3N - Field House
239 Cedar Ln
Covington, GA 30014