Learn the basics of climbing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This limited-enrollment class will include an overview of the dynamic sport of climbing as well as individualized instruction. All gear provided.

Come learn the basics of vertical climbing in a natural setting. We’ll focus on building solid fundamental skills such as belaying, crack climbing technique, face climbing technique and maneuvering through the "crux" (most difficult section) of a climb. If you’ve only climbed inside or you are looking to explore climbing for the first time, this is your opportunity to practice with professional rock climbing instructors. We provide harnesses, helmets and all the necessary gear for you to try out this fun and challenging sport! Recommended for those 14 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult.

Join our REI Outdoor School instructor as we teach techniques enabling you to turn everyday snapshots into beautiful compositions. You will learn to see beyond your primary subject so that everything in the frame improves the image. We will analyze numerous photographs as we discuss composition techniques including eliminating distractions, utilizing human subjects, and using leading lines and the Rule of Thirds to create more dynamic images. Begin to shoot with an eye that draws the viewer's attention into a vibrant and stimulating photograph.

Spend a day in the field under the watchful eye of a pro to learn and practice exposure and composition techniques inherent to macro (close-up) photography. Begin to effectively capture the intimate, finely detailed beauty of wildflowers, plants and trees that is best captured with a macro lens. Please bring your digital camera and owner’s manual, as well as extra batteries and memory. Since we will be shooting in macro mode, make sure your camera has that capability: most compact digitals will have a macro mode and will display a flower icon, while digital SLR cameras must have a separate macro lens.

Join our REI Outdoor School instructors as they teach you what you need to know to get the most out of using your bike for transportation. We’ll discuss proper clothing, techniques, and best practices for carrying your gear with you – plus there will be plenty of time for questions. This interactive class will teach you what you need to know to get out there on your bike!

If you feel shaky on two wheels, this is the class for you. Our trained instructors will patiently teach you the basic skills of riding a bike, including how to balance, how to adjust the bike to your size, and how to shift and brake. We’ll also teach you how to fall off your bike effectively. This outing can help prepare you for our Introduction to Mountain Biking and Introduction to Road Cycling instructional outings. We provide bikes, but be sure to bring your own helmet. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Children must provide their own bicycles. Minimum age is 12.

Experience the rush of road cycling with our instructors as they teach you the proper techniques of shifting, braking, efficient hill climbing, safe descending, proper body position, and reading the road for safety. This is an educational ride, not a guided tour; we want to teach you how to get more out of your cycling experience. This class is designed for folks getting back into cycling and beginners alike. We’ll start by addressing proper bike fit, making necessary adjustments to improve comfort and performance. Next we’ll demonstrate riding techniques and teach important communication and safety skills to prepare you for the ride. Then it’s off for a great ride to practice what we've learned! New Novara road bikes provided at no extra cost for those without a bike of their own. NO RIDER IS LEFT BEHIND! Please bring your helmet and proper riding apparel. Recommended for those 14 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Experience the thrill of mountain biking with our instructors as they teach you the proper techniques of shifting, braking, hill climbing and descent, body and pedal position, and navigating minor obstacles on the trail. This is designed as an educational ride, not a guided tour; we want to teach you how to get more out of your mountain biking experience. We’ll start by addressing proper bike fit, making necessary adjustments to improve comfort and performance. Next we’ll demonstrate riding techniques and teach important communication and safety skills to prepare you for the ride. We’ll teach you the trail etiquette techniques that mountain bikers can use to help keep trails open and safe for all trail users. Then it’s off for a great ride to practice all the skills you’ve learned. Novara mountain bikes provided at no additional cost for those without a bike of their own. Recommended for those 14 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult.  NO RIDER IS LEFT BEHIND!

Instill a love of the outdoors in the youngest members of your family and get the whole family outside. We’ll introduce ways to see the outdoors from a toddler’s perspective with fun interactive activities. Join us for an easy day hike approximately 1.5 miles in length. Leave No Trace ethics will be taught in a child-friendly format. All outings meet at venue.

Want to experience nature and see the sights with your children? Learn how to pick appropriate locations, how to "sell"? the activity, and how to keep the kids enthusiastic, interested and happy on the hike. A kid-specific version of Leave-No-Trace principles will also be taught to emphasize good habits in the outdoors. Join our instructors for a fun, engaging day out on family- friendly terrain.

Heading out for your first camping trip and not sure what to eat? Tired of always eating the same old camp food? In this hands-on field seminar, our REI Outdoor School instructors teach you how to build a proper camp kitchen, design a menu, and prepare easy, nutritious and tasty meals that will delight your campers and elevate your wilderness experiences! Learn about proper food handling and sanitation techniques and tips on preparing and storing your food to minimize clean-up. You'll also learn all about what stove and fuel types are best for your needs, and then get to prepare and cook your own shared meals on a variety of stoves. We'll be preparing ultra-convenient freeze-dried meals, along with some of our favorite camp recipes from a mix of dried and fresh ingredients that are sure to please! All stoves and kitchen materials, along with all food ingredients provided (options for both vegetarians and meat eaters).

Make the leap from car camping to backpacking. Join our instructors on an overnight trip to a local backpacking camp. You’ll learn camp skills such as proper campsite selection, camp cooking, and Leave No Trace camp etiquette. The instructors will also help you understand the best backpacking equipment for your needs to maximize your comfort and fun.

There are few better ways to spend a couple hours or a full day for that matter, than in a kayak moving over water. Think portable fun with which you can explore a favorite or soon to be favorite spot. An experienced Instructor will share information about kayaking and recreational kayaks. You will eave knowing which type of kayak, paddle and PFD will best fit your needs, as well as, the skinny on local paddling destinations.

New to kayaking? Join us for on-thewater instruction. Lessons cover proper gear selection and fit, boat control, basic safety skills and correct paddling techniques, with the intent of progressing toward kayaking on your own. Then we’ll head out on the water to practice these new skills. Kayak, paddle and PFD (personal flotation device) are provided. Recommended for those 14 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Bring the whole crew! Lessons cover proper gear selection and fit, boat control, basic safety skills and correct paddling techniques, with the intent of progressing toward kayaking on your own. Then we’ll head out on the water to practice these new skills. Kayak, paddle and PFD (personal flotation device) are provided. Recommended for those 12 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Have you been carrying a compass for years and never actually known how to use it? For anyone heading to the outdoors, map and compass skills are essential to navigating safely. Join our Outdoor School Instructors for a class on learning to use a compass and read a map to help you find your way in the wilderness. Our Instructor will teach you all the parts of a compass and how to choose a style that works for you. We’ll talk about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic variation (declination), and help you make sense of it all. Then you’ll learn how to take a bearing, both in the field and projected onto a map, so you can learn how to triangulate your position and plan a route. Speaking of maps, what do all those squiggly lines mean? We’ll also discuss topographic maps and how to read them to understand your terrain. Join us for an optional Map & Compass outing to put your new knowledge into practice.

Join us for an instructional trip to learn how to use a compass and read a map to truly find your way in the wilderness. We'll teach you the parts of a compass and how to make use of them. We'll talk about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic variation (declination), and help you make sense of it all. Then we'll learn how to take a bearing from the terrain, and from your map, so you can triangulate your position and plan a route. Speaking of maps, what do all those squiggly lines mean? We'll look at topographic maps and learn how to read them to understand your terrain. We'll also discuss strategies such as using "handrails" for "aiming off' to improve the accuracy of your backcountry navigation. Map and Compass Basics Class is recommended (but not mandatory) to get the most from this outing.

Join an REI Outdoor School instructors as they lead you through the basics of GPS navigation. Learn how to use your pocket-sized navigator to pinpoint your location, mark waypoints, plot courses, and create routes. Learn about using online maps and transferring route and waypoint information to the GPS. As the Instructor reviews the features to consider when choosing a receiver, they will introduce you to some of the fun and practical applications of using a GPS unit in your outdoor activities. At the end of the session, you will get hands-on experience outdoors with a GPS. If you own a GPS unit, please bring it to the class. Some demo GPS units will also be available.

Are you tired of getting lost on the trail? Learn the latest GPS navigation techniques to keep you headed in the right direction. Head out into the field for a day of hands-on navigation training with our expert Outdoor School instructors. You’ll practice pinpointing your location, projecting waypoints, plotting courses and creating routes out on the trail, so that you can successfully navigate through local parks and your favorite backcountry destinations. Learn to transfer information from the GPS to your map and from the map to the GPS. We will even show you how to utilize your GPS to give you driving directions to your destination (not all units have this ability). If you own a GPS unit, please bring it to get detailed instruction on its features. Demo GPS receivers will be available, as well as maps and compasses, as we enjoy a scenic hike through a local park. This class will provide an overview of the different techniques needed to fully utilize your GPS receiver. GPS Basics is recommended but not mandatory to get the most out of this outing.

Head out into the field for a day of hands-on navigation training with our REI Outdoor School GPS instructors. You’ll practice pinpointing your location, marking waypoints, plotting courses and creating routes in the outdoors. Learn to transfer information from the GPS to your map and from the map to the GPS. If you own a GPS unit, please bring it to get detailed instruction on its features. We recommend you attend a Map and Compass Basics class, or have a solid understanding of map and compass skills, prior to this outing.