The Department of Athletics and Recreation offers a wide range of programs to meet the needs of a variety of active lifestyles and sporting interests, from traditional intercollegiate competition to intramural sports and recreational pursuits. The College sponsors intercollegiate programs for men and women in soccer, cross-country, volleyball, swimming, tennis, lacrosse, track and field, and basketball. Men also compete in baseball and squash. Athletic teams compete under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division III). Bard is also a member of various athletic conferences, including the Liberty League, United Volleyball Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and College Squash Association. The Bard College athletic teams are the Raptors. The College's colors are red and white.
The Athletic Center and outdoor venues provide the setting for a range of intramural and recreational offerings. Intramural programs include soccer, basketball, floor hockey, tennis, volleyball, softball, kickball, badminton, and squash. At the club level Bard offers rugby, fencing, horseback riding, and Ultimate Frisbee.
Classes are offered in such lifetime pursuits as yoga, Pilates, spin cycling, fitness, kickboxing, karate, belly dancing, swimming, and aikido. Aerobics classes include step, Zumba, cardio kickboxing, low impact, and Tae Bo. Certification courses in CPR/AED and lifeguarding are also available. In addition, the College’s rural setting makes it easy to engage in many outdoor activities, such as running, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and ice skating. Facilities for golf, bowling, and horseback riding are nearby.