Duke Rec & P.E. provides oversight of 31, student-run, sport-based clubs that practice regularly and travel and host competitions against other colleges and universities. In addition to our Sport Club’s normal operations, our program is lucky to be able to extend the opportunity for clubs to attend what we call “Dream Trips” thanks to a generous endowment gifted to our program by the Gorter Family in honor of Kevin Gorter – a previous Sport Club participant.
Dream Trips are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Sport Clubs to travel to a location that is considered a hub of their sport to get access to coaching, competition, or practice facilities that they would not normally have access to. Clubs begin preparing for Dream Trips the academic year before and go through a rigorous and competitive process to be selected to attend a Dream Trip.
This year, 8 of our clubs were awarded the opportunity to attend a Dream Trip over Winter or Spring Break. Check out the highlights from our four Spring Break Trips!
Women’s Club Lacrosse: Santa Barbara, CA
“Our trip to Santa Barbara, CA was an unforgettable experience. We were able to bring 20 members to the Santa Barbara Shootout tournament that our club team has been attending for over 10 years. This year was the first time we were able to return since covid and therefore was the first dream trip for all of our current members. We played against multiple teams that we would never have been able to play, including Oregon University and Oregon State. We went to the beach, spent a day traveling around LA, and visited the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley and the little town of Solvang - the Danish capital of America!
The most rewarding part of the trip was the time spent with our teammates. We had multiple group dinners and even watched the Duke vs. UNC basketball game together. We are so fortunate for the opportunity to spend time together and compete on beautiful fields nestled between the mountains. We are grateful to the Duke Club Sports Program and Office as well as the Gorter family for making this all possible. I know the team will continue to work to make this trip a possibility in the future and I am so excited to see everyone grow.”
-- Morgan Robinson, Club President
Women’s Club Soccer: Costa Rica
“Women’s Club Soccer had the most incredible time in Costa Rica. Our trip started bright and early at the airport at 3:00 am, but our energy was still high! On our first day, we went on a tour of San José to learn about the history and culture of the capital city. We started our next day with a game against Universidad de Costa Rica followed by a long bus ride through the cloud forest to La Fortuna.
Our next day was packed, beginning with a trip to La Fortuna Waterfall (where we climbed 200+ steps) to swim under a beautiful waterfall. Then we went to Don Juan’s educational farm for a tour and a delicious lunch made from fruits and vegetables grown right there on the farm–including delicious homemade coconut popsicles! Next, we visited the Arenal Volcano where we hiked to a beautiful view surrounded by old lava flows. To end the day and soothe our sore muscles, we visited the nearby hot springs for a relaxing soak…and for a couple of trips down the water slide!
Next, we headed south to Puntarenas where we played the local team Futbol Garabito. We spent the next day relaxing at Manuel Antonio State Park, swimming in the ocean and seeing the wildlife. We ended our trip back in San Jose where we played Fútbol Femenino Coronado and secured our first win!
We were confronted by an incredibly different style of play in Costa Rica but we are proud to have adapted and grown like never before. Our team cohesion grew exponentially both on and off the field. We will miss the daily rice and beans, beautiful sunsets, and our amazing tour guide Eddy. The once-in-a-lifetime trip will go down in Women’s Club Soccer history!”
-- Chloe Freitas, Club Officer
Club Rowing: Gainesville, GA
“Club Rowing had the amazing opportunity to travel to Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia for our spring break training trip! Georgia weather is usually very sporadic, but this year we were able to get out and train on Olympic water twice a day with one rainy day built in for rest. For our new novices and multi-year varsity rowers, this weeklong trip is the equivalent of over a month of training at Duke in terms of time spent on the water. This week alone we spent over 20 hours on the water and hit over 80km! At Duke, we are limited by the sunrise/sunset time and classes, but over the break we can spend as much time on a specific drill as we need – and the results showed. Our boats were much more set and glided effortlessly across the water by the end of the week. Consistently rowing with the race lineups also allowed people to get a feel for who they are competing with and how to monitor their body position during the drive and recovery of their strokes. The Olympic racecourse also enabled us to practice race starts for the first time this year, just in time for our upcoming Spring sprints!
Off the water we stayed at a beautiful lake house and in between naps we bonded as a time watching basketball games, playing pool, kayaking, and taking full advantage of the house’s hot tub. The officers went to the store and bought all the food for the week and cooked delicious dinners for all the hungry rowers. Each night we would finalize with film sessions so that we knew what to correct the following day. Overall, we had an incredible week and cannot wait to let the results show in our upcoming regattas!”
-- Connor McDerott, Club Officer
Women’s Club Basketball – Puerto Rico
“Our trip to Puerto Rico as Duke’s Women’s Club Basketball team was an adventure of a lifetime. From going head-to-head with local teams on the court to exploring the island's beautiful landscapes, every moment was an opportunity for growth, competition, and connection.
Playing against the local teams was a highlight for us all. We brought our A-game to the court and faced some tough competition. Yet, beyond the wins and losses, it was the bonds we formed with our fellow athletes that truly made the experience unforgettable. Through shared love for the game and mutual respect, we forged new friendships that transcended language and cultural barriers. Practicing our Spanish with the other players became not only a way to communicate but also a bridge to forming deeper connections.
Off the court, our adventures were equally exhilarating. We snorkeled in the crystal-clear waters, cliff-jumped in the El Yunque National Rainforest, and toured the streets of Old San Juan. These activities brought us closer together, but specifically, going to the rainforest, it wasn't just the adrenaline rush that made this experience memorable. As each member of the team gathered the courage to take the jump, we became more than just teammates—we became a support system, cheering each other on and encouraging one another to conquer our fears. Those who hesitated at the edge found comfort in the unwavering support of their teammates, emboldened by the cheers and applause from the sidelines.
Puerto Rico wasn't just a destination for us—it was a journey of growth, friendship, and shared experiences. And as we reflect on the experiences shared and the friendships established, we know that the bonds we created will endure long after the echoes of the final buzzer have faded away.”
-- Jewel Levy, Club Officer