Welcome to campus, Active Badgers! With a variety of in-person events, we’ll show you all the ways you can play hard, get fit, and live well. All you have to do is find what moves you (don’t worry, we’re here to help).
Show us how you’re moving throughout Wisconsin Welcome by posting on social media using the hashtag #ActiveBadger.
PRIZES
JOIN US

Welcome Bakke presented by The James
Date: Sunday, September 3
Time: Noon – 10pm, most events start at 5:30pm (Free Skate starts at noon)
Location: Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Registration required: No
Join us for a variety of activities and opportunities to explore all Bakke has to offer. We’ll have free ice skating, Intramural Sports skills challenges, Esports games, cooking activities, open rec climbing on Mt. Mendota, virtual simulator games and more! If you need accommodations please email accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu.
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Level 1
Free Skate
Join us for a free ice skate in the Sub-Zero Ice Center from noon – 1:30pm, 3 – 4:30pm, 6 – 7:30pm, and/or 9 – 10:30pm. No admission or skate rental fees if students have their WisCard. Students will be allowed into the rink services lobby for skate checkout 30 minutes prior to each skate session. If you need accommodations please email accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu.
Sports Skills Challenge
Shoot your shot in curling, cornhole, and Teqball in Courts 3 – 6.
Fitness & Personal Training
Find our personal training team at a table in the lobby and they will give equipment tours upon request.
Kitchen Open House
Come explore all the teaching kitchen has to offer. The kitchen will have food games, giveaways, and staff to answer your questions.
Wellbeing Scavenger Hunt
Start in the Lobby of Bakke and follow the digital clues throughout the building. Complete your scavenger hunt and be entered to win a prize!
Level 2
Just Dance Games
Stop into the Willow Room and show off your dance skills!
Level 3
Climbing Wall Open Rec
Come try the bouldering & climbing wall from 5:30 – 8pm, which we like to call Mt. Mendota. No experience needed, we’ll show you everything you need to know.
Level 4
Sport Simulator Competition
Hop into the Skybox Suites on level 4 and get your virtual games on. We’ll be holding competitions with our games – golf, baseball, soccer, zombie dodgeball and more.

Free Group Fitness Classes presented by American Family Insurance
Date: Wednesday, September 6 – Tuesday, September 12
Location: Nicholas Recreation Center & Bakke Wellbeing & Recreation Center
Registration required: No
Enjoy free walk-in group fitness classes for the first week of school, on us! Our instructors lead fun and motivating group workouts designed for all fitness levels. Whether you want to connect to your breath with yoga or pump up the beat with Zumba, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our wide variety of classes.
You must be a UW-Madison student or Rec Well member to participate.

Nick @ Night presented by The James
Date: Thursday, September 7
Time: 7 – 10pm
Location: Nicholas Recreation Center
Registration required: No
Almost as good as your favorite late-night TV show, this event will feature a variety of activities like fitness classes, curling, skill challenges, inflatable pool obstacle course, glow-in-the-dark bingo, and more! Come learn about everything we have to offer. Prizes include t-shirts, Rec Well gear, and more!
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Learn More
At the event, there will be dozens of tables and activities for you and your friends to participate in. Throughout the night, you will have the chance to win tickets that can be traded in for Rec Well gear and/or be entered into our grand prize giveaways!
Free Walk-in Group Fitness Schedule
6:15 – 7:15pm: Zumba & Friendship Bracelets in Elevation Studio
6:30 – 7:15pm: Glow-in-the-dark Cycling in Revolution Studio
7 – 7:45pm: Deep Water Fitness in Soderholm Aquatic Center
7:30 – 8:15pm: Candlelight Yoga in Elevation Studio
8 – 8:45pm: Bike with Besties in Revolution Studio
Bike With Besties Registration
Lower Level
Inflatable Pool Obstacle Course (6 – 9:30pm)
Stop into the Soderholm Aquatic Center pool and try a run on the inflatable obstacle course or try out some log rolling. Swimsuits required.
Free Cycling Classes
6:30 – 7:15pm: Glow-in-the-dark Cycling in Revolution Studio
8:00 – 8:45pm: Bike with Besties in Revolution Studio
Level 1
Photo Booth
Meet us in the main lobby to strike a pose & celebrate the semester starting with our Rec Well backdrop & props.
Recruitment Tabling
Want to work at Rec Well? Find out about what it’s like to be an employee and about our current job openings in the main lobby.
Wellbeing Tabling
Learn about all of our wellbeing offerings and play Plinko to win tickets! Come find us by our new wellbeing space right off the main lobby.
Tennis Games
Dust off that racquet and play some fun tennis games with us on Courts 1 & 2. Tickets are up for grabs!
Level 2
Mini Fitness Workshops
Join our personal training staff at a variety of mini fitness workshops! These will all be held in the Momentum Studio. Check out the topics & times here:
- How to Warm Up: 7 – 7:20pm
- Core Stability: 8 – 8:20pm
- Foam Rolling: 9 – 9:20pm
Level 3
Esports & Board Game Room
Pop into Balance Studio to play some games! We’ll have Mario Kart, Super Smash, and more.
Glow-in-the-Dark Bingo
BINGO is what you will (hopefully) be screaming all night as we play lots of fun games while glowing in the dark. Come meet us in the Spark Studio.
Sports Skills Challenge
Shoot your shot in curling, cornhole, and Teqball in Courts 3 – 6.
Meet the Clubs
Meet a sport club. There are 50+ to choose from and they’ll all be on Courts 3 – 6.
Pickleball & Badminton Games
Join in at any time on Courts 7 – 8.
Fitness Competitions
Stop at the Functional Training Area (FTA) and test your limits in our various fitness competitions. Can you hold the longest plank?
Programs Tabling
Want to know more about what’s going on at Rec Well? We will have Athletic Training, Climbing, Experiential Education & Nutrition Education staff on Courts 3 – 6 eager to share more. You’ll get some tickets for stopping by too!
Prize Booth
Stop at Gym Services and trade in your tickets to win prizes.
Level 4
Free Walk-in Group Fitness Classes
6:15 – 7:15pm: Zumba & Friendship Bracelets in Elevation Studio
7:30 – 8:15pm: Candlelight Yoga in Elevation Studio
DIY Essential Oil Rollers
Date: Wednesday, September 13
Time: 11:30am – 1pm
Location: Allen Centennial Garden
Registration required: No
Roll your way to self-care by making your very own essential oil blend with us at Allen Centennial Garden. Learn about different essential oils and make your own blend in a roller ball applicator to take home. When you’re finished, use our handout to enjoy a self-guided mindfulness walk around the garden. Drop in at any time to participate (while supplies last)!

Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center Grand Opening
Date: Friday, September 22
Time: 4 – 6:30pm
Location: Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Registration required: No
Join us at a variety of activities throughout the building to give our donors and the Bakke family a big “thank you.” Explore more of what Bakke has to offer! See below for our planned activities. We will have more giveaways & anyone that swipes in during the event time will be entered to win a $50 Ian’s Pizza gift card! If you need any accommodations, please email accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu.
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Level 1
Free Skate
Join us for a free ice skate in the Sub-Zero Ice Center from 4 – 6:30pm. No admission or skate rental fees if students have their WisCard. If you need accommodations please email accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu.
Teaching Kitchen Open House
The WUD Cuisine Committee will be food prepping in the Wolf Teaching Kitchen. Stop by to learn more about what WUD Cuisine and Rec Well Nutrition Education programs have to offer.
Level 2
SportsFriends
Come try one of our new Esports offerings in the Willow Room!
Level 3
Climbing Wall Open Rec
Come try the bouldering & climbing wall, which we like to call Mt. Mendota. No experience needed, we’ll show you everything you need to know.
Level 4
Sport Simulator Competition
Hop into the Skybox Suites on level 4 and get your virtual games on. We’ll be holding competitions with our games – golf, baseball, soccer, zombie dodgeball and more.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We are committed to offering inclusive and accessible programs. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in one of our programs, attend an event, or use our facilities, please contact us at (608) 262-0297 or accommodations@recwell.wisc.edu.