ChallengeU - University of Nebraska Lincoln

Raikes Hacks 2026

Get active, Huskers! 💪 ChallengeU connects UNL students with recreation opportunities, social events, and fitness communities across campus, all in one unified platform!

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Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v18 or higher)
• macOS with Xcode (for iOS builds)
• CocoaPods (sudo gem install cocoapods if not installed)

Installation

1. Navigate to the ChallengeU folder:

   cd ChallengeU

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

Run as iOS Development Build (recommended to get Apple Health data for syncing)

1. Generate native iOS files:

   npx expo prebuild --platform ios

2. Build and install on iOS simulator or connected device:

   npx expo run:ios

   Or target a specific simulator/device:

   npx expo run:ios --device 

3. Start Metro for the development client:

   lsof -ti :8081 | xargs kill -9 2>/dev/null || true
   npx expo start --dev-client --host lan --port 8081 --clear

4. Open the installed ChallengeU app.

If app does not auto-connect, open by URL:

exp://<YOUR_LOCAL_IP>:8081

Optional: Expo Go (UI-only, no Apple Health integration)

Some native features (for example Apple Health/Calendar behavior) require a development build.

npx expo start

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About ChallengeU

ChallengeU is the all-in-one app for UNL students looking to stay active and connected. Whether you want to hit the gym, join a pickup game, find your next adventure, or connect with club sports teams, ChallengeU makes it easy.

The current repository includes a frontend scaffold with a login screen and tabbed navigation. Tabs correspond to the major features described below (Activity Hub, Meetup, Activity Feed, Teams) and are styled in the scarlet‑and‑cream brand palette.

Features

🏋️ Real-Time Activity Hub - Check the live status and busyness of recreation facilities across campus:

• Rec Center, Outdoor Adventure Center, and various court capacity and trend insights to guide student decisions
• Gym busy times and hours

💬 Pickup and Social Events Platform - Start and organize games with other students:

• Create and discover events (basketball, soccer, tennis, etc.)
• Built-in calendar integration that syncs with Apple Calendars
• RSVP and participant tracking, including notifications that friends are attending a pickup game

📊 Activity Feed - Stay motivated and social:

• Share your workouts and activities
• Upload an image of your pump, sweat, or gains
• Follow friends and see what they're up to
• Celebrate milestones together and comment on workouts

🏆 Club & Intramural Sport Teams - Find your team:

• Browse and join current club and intramural sports teams
• View team schedules
• Event information and registration

❤️ Personal Activity Hub - Keep track of your health:

• View your real-time scan-ins per campus facility
• Sync with Apple Health to conveniently view step count, calories burned, and distance travelled
• Personal profile with name, profile picture, and friends list that easily integrates into feed

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Project Structure

├── App.tsx             # Main app component (TypeScript)
├── app.json            # Expo configuration
├── babel.config.js     # Babel configuration
├── package.json        # Dependencies and scripts
├── tsconfig.json       # TypeScript configuration
├── assets/             # App icons and images
├── server/             # Node.js backend
│   └── index.js        # Express server setup
└── README.md           # This file

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Tech Stack

Frontend:

• React Native with Expo
• TypeScript
• Platforms: iOS

Backend:

• Node.js with Express
• MongoDB (Mongoose ODM)
• JWT Authentication
• REST API

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Learn More

• Expo Documentation
• React Native Documentation
• Questions? Check out Snack.expo.dev for quick examples