University News

Campus NEST Challenge Course Opens on Orchard Hill

April 21, 2026

Participants cut the ribbon at the NEST Challenge Course on April 14, 2026 — Chancellor Javier Reyes (center, with sunglasses) joins participants from Recreation and Wellbeing to cut the ribbon at the NEST Challenge Course on April 14, 2026.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 14 to celebrate the opening of Recreation and Wellbeing’s new NEST Challenge Course, a blend of low-to-ground initiatives and elevated obstacles located on Orchard Hill that gives participants the chance to collaborate, communicate and lead through real-time problem solving.

At the NEST (Nurture, Empower, Support, Thrive), low elements are spread across the area, while high elements such as the Sky park and zip lines carry participants into the trees for shared challenges and memorable breakthroughs.

RecWell will facilitate programs for student groups, classes, departments and community partners, and will host open hours for individual experiences in the Sky Park and on the zip lines.

The NEST is open to all UMass students, faculty and staff who have an active RecWell membership, and will be open to the public for challenge course programming and Sky Park use starting July 1. Each person who wishes to participate must complete mandatory training and orientation sessions.

Rope course at the NEST Challenge Course — Rope obstacles and zip lines (top) are just some of the features of the NEST Challenge Course.

The Sky Park is open from 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday. All Sky Park sessions are 45 minutes and start every 15 mins beginning at 3 p.m. The last day of regular Sky Park hours will be Friday, May 8; during summer session the Sky Park will be available by request only.

Students, faculty and staff with a RecWell membership can register for a time using the “Spring 2026” tab on this page.

More information The NEST Challenge Course can be found at umass.edu/recwell/nest.