Boston REI Outdoor School

Family Hiking With GPS 7 years and up (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.

* Advance trip sign-up is required. Call or visit any Boston area REI to sign up.

• Time:

  10:00 am - 2:00 pm

• Cost: Member: $45, Non-Member: $65

Where To Meet:

Meet at the location or REI store listed below. Directions to locations other than REI stores can be found by clicking on the link below.

Get directions to all non-store venues here.

• May 18th Venue TBD

WHAT TO BRING:

• Quick-dry shirt and hiking pants. If the forecast is for cool temperatures, bring along a fleece jacket or windproof shell too.
• Water-resistant or waterproof jacket/anorak in case of rain.
• Sturdy trail shoes or hiking boots, with moisture-wicking socks.
• A water bottle, such as a bicycle style or Nalgene, filled with drinking water, juice, etc.
• Sun protection (sunscreen and wide brim hats w/ retainers) and sunglasses with retainers.
• Bag lunch and snacks.
• Your GPS, however, GPS units will be available for participants to use.
• A daypack to carry it all!

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

• Dress them in layers so they can warm up or cool down easily.
• Avoid cotton socks, which may lead to uncomfortable feet and blisters. Get some wool outer socks and a wicking-liner. And bring extras; kids WILL get their feet wet!
• No open-toed shoes.
• Dress them in bright colors so they are easily seen.
• Consider convertible pants, which are synthetic (dry easily) and can be converted to shorts if the day warms up.
• In damp weather, consider fleece rather than cotton as an outer layer.
• Consider taking them shopping for a special new item just for this trip. It can be as simple as a colorful bandana, or an inexpensive compass.
• Carry lots of dried fruits, power bars (they don't have to know it's not a candy bar) and trail mix.If your grocery store carries dried fruits and nuts in bulk, let them create their own trail mix.
• Take time to teach your kids about the importance of drinking water on the trail. Vocabulary word: "Hydration".
• Let them carry some of their own, while you carry extra.
• In the summer months, freeze some water in a sports bottle, or drop in some Sports-Drink ice cubes.
• Kids love Hydration Packs. It makes drinking fun!

REI OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROVIDES:

• GPS receivers will be available for participants use.
• Transportation between REI and trailhead, except when outing meets at venue.
• All park entry fees for riders in the REI Outdoor School van.
• Group medical supplies and area maps.