Explore, the Outdoor Adventures Residential Learning Community, provides experiential, place-based outdoor recreation opportunities that highlight the landscapes, ecosystems, and communities of the Gulf South and beyond.
The goals and objectives of the Explore RLC are:
- Recreation: to be an outlet for informal enjoyment of land and water- based outdoor pursuits
- Education: to provide instruction in a range of technical outdoor skills
- Development: to promote the interdisciplinary consideration of the environmental, social, and economic factors that affect, and are affected by, outdoor recreation.
See what students have to say about these programs:
- "[The Program] has fundamentally changed the way I see the New Orleans area and has awoken me to the wonders of the natural Gulf South. " — Trip Leader
- " I loved everything! Our trip leaders were amazing and I had such a fun time! I loved learning to backpack, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it was so fun! " — Previous Participant
- " It was a wonderful experience and would not have wanted to spend my spring break doing anything else. " — Previous Particpant
HRL works in partnership with Campus Recreation on the Explore RLC. If you have questions about the RLC content or programming, please contact Josh Fulmer (jfulmer@tulane.edu), Assistant Director of outdoor Adventures.
Join Outdoor Adventures for exciting trips like the ones below, plus custom skills sessions, discounts on rental gear, and more!
- Intro to Sailing: Whether you are brand new to boats or the captain of your own crew, this sailing trip will blow you away! Come sail away on Lake Pontchartrain with Outdoor Adventures!
- Cane Bayou Canoeing and Kayaking: As we paddle through cypress groves and marsh, you will see plenty of native flora and fauna, and on a clear day, the NOLA skyline across the lake.
- Late Night Climbing: Spend the night rock climbing with Outdoor Adventures at New Orleans Boulder Lounge. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, we’ll have the perfect climb for you!
- Blind River Paddling: Only accessible by small boat, this section of the Blind River offers a glimpse into the region's past, including miles of undisturbed animal habitat and a long-abandoned cabin slowly returning to the swamp.
- Grand Isle Beach Camping: Join our popular beach camping adventure to Grand Isle, Louisiana! We'll camp on the sand, hike along the barrier island, play beach games, and try stand-up paddleboarding on the water.
As a member of the Explore RLC, you must take a Tulane Interdisciplinary Experience Seminary (TIDES) course that is affiliated with the RLC. The TIDES program offers first-year courses to students to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and exploration. For descriptions of the courses being offered in each RLC please see the RLC application.
The Explore RLC will be located in Sharp Hall for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The RLC application can be found on your Housing Portal when you apply for housing. You must fill out both a Housing Application AND an RLC Application to be considered for the RLC.
