00:00:00:00

00:00:00:00

The fitness space on the first floor is bustling with people using strength equipment while the second and third floors have cardio equipment with a view of Lake Mendota at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Sept. 22, 2023. (Photo by Althea Dotzour / UW–Madison)

Recreation & Wellbeing Fund

Matches and Challenges

Available matches and challenges have been met. Please continue to show your support to help this campaign make an even greater impact!

Recreation & Wellbeing Fund Match

Scheduled

Thanks to an anonymous donor, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar – up to $5,000 – during Day of the Badger.

This match has ended.

At Rec Well, our vision is to build a movement of healthy habits through inclusion, education, innovation, and connection. From engaging in intramural sports to benefiting from peer wellness coaching and participating in group fitness sessions, our programs, services, and facilities constitute not mere physical spaces, but rather catalysts for fostering a culture of healthy lifestyles and overall well-being. Research shows the profound impact of comprehensive physical and wellness support on students’ academic performance, social integration, and mental health. Establishing this foundation is imperative for nurturing student success, both during their time at UW–Madison and after they have left. 

Despite our efforts, there are segments of our student community who are underserved because of various barriers. Rec Well is committed to removing these barriers as a central value of our work. Because of this, Rec Well launched the No Fee pilot program, which provides access to our premium services at no cost to students with the greatest financial need. More than 6,000 students can now register for group fitness classes, intramural sports, and personal training sessions at no cost to them. This has allowed us to remove the financial burden of participation in these programs and build community for students on campus. 

Our vision extends beyond the present, as we aspire to expand and perpetuate the reach of this program, ensuring that every student can partake in Rec Well activities without financial constraint. Your contribution of $45 facilitates a student’s participation in intramurals for an entire year, while $80 sustains their involvement in group fitness classes for two semesters. Your generous donation will not only facilitate immediate access to wellness resources, but it will also instill habits that will shape students’ health trajectories for years to come.