Student Activities

The ReUse Room is a space dedicated to the free exchange of material goods. It is located in the Student Center and is accessible 24/7 for browsing and donating. The purpose of the ReUse Room is to reduce the Sterling community's environmental footprint, while providing a source of free material goods for community members.

The Bouldering Gym is located next to the Outdoor Equipment Rental Center, behind Kane Hall. The gym is designed for both beginner and advanced climbers. It is a student managed space, through the Work Program and open to all students.

The Sterling College Fitness Room is a resource to support the wellbeing of the entire Sterling College community. The Fitness Room consists of a range of free weights, including barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells and associated bars and equipment; a treadmill; two Concept2 Rowing Ergs; and one Concept2 SkiErg.

The Green Bike Program provides bicycles and technical support for the Sterling College community, promoting the ideas of human-powered transportation; thereby reducing the need for non-renewable based modes of transportation.

Upstairs in the Brown Library, students will find the Art Space. This space is available for painting, drawing, crafting, or simply exploring ideas through art. All students are encouraged to use it to create, reflect, and share their work.

Sterling maintains a well-stocked gear room behind Kane Hall where at any time during the semester, Sterling Students and staff can rent or borrow gear for a class, Sterling-sponsored trip, or for personal use. The gear room stocks everything from outerwear to sleeping bags to ski poles to ice climbing gear— all available for a nominal fee.

Dunbarn, located downstairs in Dunbar Hall, is a social gathering space where student mailboxes can be found. The student lounge, historically called, “The Barn”, is equipped with foosball, board games, musical instruments, and a music practice area. It is open 24 hours a day. While music and merriment are welcome, community quiet hours begin at 10pm.

The three lean-tos on campus are available for all students to use and enjoy as shared recreational spaces. Nestled in natural settings, they offer a perfect spot for overnight camping, quiet reflection, small gatherings, or evening campfires.

Neighboring Craftsbury Outdoor Center welcomes Sterling students to use their weight room and other gym facilities, including their roller skiing track. Students have access to their trails year round to mountain bike, fat bike, ski and more.

The Pride Group at Sterling College is a student-led, sponsored affinity group that supports LGBTQIA+ community members. It offers a welcoming space for connection, self-expression, and mutual support among students of all identities and orientations.

The Roots group at Sterling College is a student-run group for students of color that strives to provide a space for members to express themselves and receive support from fellow community members. The Roots group is a sponsored affinity group on campus and the group has access to The Nest, a shared affinity meeting space located in Dunbar.

The Nordic Ski Club is Sterling’s most active athletic club. Nordic team members who commit to twice-a-week practice for the seven-week season are provided loaner equipment for skate and/or classic skiing, and they get a complimentary season’s pass to the world-reknowned Craftsbury Nordic trails, which loop through the Sterling campus.

Fermentation Club hosts hands-on, low-commitment workshops exploring the science and art of fermentation. From sauerkraut to spruce tip soda, students learn practical skills while connecting over food. Drop in anytime—no experience needed, and no long-term care required for your creations!

The Student Council meets biweekly to strengthen the student voice and address any campus-wide issues. With rotating facilitators, it includes two subcommittees: one focused on internal operations and leadership, and another on environmental and social justice action (Environmental & Social Justice Action Network) within and beyond Sterling.

The Student Activities Committee supports campus life by organizing events, outings, and creative projects. Funded by the Student Activities Fee, the committee is student-led and open to all, encouraging collaboration, fun, and community building throughout the academic year.

Typically, Athletics Director Adrian Owens coaches a trail running team in the fall and the spring. Tail running teams have organized practices. Owens works individually with interested students to develop individual training plans to meet each student’s athletic goals, interests, and needs.