Come learn the basics of vertical climbing in a natural setting. We’ll focus on building solid fundamental skills such as belaying, technique and fun. 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, under 18 must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult.

Learn the basics of placing traditional climbing gear and building top rope anchor systems. We will cover site evaluation, natural anchor selection, and equalizing the forces on the anchor. All gear will be provided by REI outdoor school. This outing will focus on construction and assessment of different anchor types not on climbing movement.

Join REI rock climbing instructors to learn self-rescue skills no climber should be without. Learn how to get yourself out of tricky situations and also offer help to others whe n professional assistance is unavailable. This class discusses belay escape methods, ascending to aid an injured climber, and assisting a partner form above. Please bring your own harness, carabiner and belay device. Practicing with your own equipment will better prepare you for “real world” conditions. (If you don’t have your own gear, REI Outdoor School can provide equipment.)

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; 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, under 18 must be accompanied by parent or responsible adult. NO RIDER IS LEFT BEHIND!

If you've been riding for a while and feel comfortable with your bike and want to take your riding performance to the next level, join our expert mountain biking instructors as they teach you to navigate advanced terrain and master singletrack portions of some great local rides. We'll build on the skills you've learned in Introduction to Mountain Biking with more practice handling obstacles, switchbacks, ascents and fast-paced descents. Learn to ride the areas you've wanted to explore but were afraid to attempt on your own. We'll also teach and enforce proper trail etiquette to make sure trails stay open and safe for well-behaved mountain bikers and all other trail users. Novara mountain bikes provided for those without a bike of their own at no extra cost. NO RIDER IS LEFT BEHIND, but this trip is not for beginners, as we ride at a faster pace and cover tougher terrain.

Camping is the foundation of most of our outdoor activities. No matter what sport you pursue, it all comes back to a pack, stove, tent and warm sleeping bag. Join the REI Outdoor School instructors as we teach you how to make a comfortable home for yourself in the wild. We will leave the trailhead for a day hike with all our gear until we find that little patch of ground we can call home. Then, we will set up a model campsite using proper Leave-No-Trace skills. Our instructors will show you where to position your kitchen area, your “bathroom facilities", and your tent site for maximum safety and comfort. Food storage and wildlife safety will also be covered. Our goal is to teach practical camping skills for use in every situation from car camping to long-distance backpacking.

Tired of always eating the same old camp food? Heading out for your first camping or hiking trips and not sure what to pack? In this hands-on field seminar, REI Outdoor School instructors will teach you how to build a safe, efficient camp kitchen, design a menu, and prepare nutritious, 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. We will discuss what stove and fuel types are best for your needs, then we will prepare and cook a shared meal on a variety of MSR stoves. We’ll be sampling ultra-convenient freeze-dried meals, along with some of our staff’s favorite camp recipes from a mix of dried and fresh ingredients that are sure to please! All stoves, kitchen materials, and food ingredients provided (with options for both vegetarians and meat eaters.)

This easy excursion will introduce your kids to outdoor activity and leave them wanting more. Join our REI Outdoor School instructor on a kid-friendly hike in a local park to discuss tips and tricks for planning family trips into the outdoors. Learn how to pick a good trail and how to keep the kids interested and happy on the hike. A kid-specific version of Leave No Trace principles will be taught to emphasize good habits in the outdoors. The instructor will tailor the class to your family’s needs. Kids need to be old enough to hike or to be carried. Bring your child carrier backpack if needed.

Map and Compass and GPS: two valuable tools to any outing. Join our REI Outdoor School instructor as we teach you the basics of how to use your map and compass and GPS receiver. We’ll show you how to read a map, orient it to match your surrounding and the differences between true north and magnetic north. We’ll also show you how to plot your current position on your map.  Then, we’ll talk about GPS receivers and how they use space age technology to help you figure out exactly where you are! Please bring your GPS unit and compass if you’ve got them, however, GPS units will be available for class use.

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. Basics of Land Navigation Class is recommended (but not mandatory) to get the most from this outing.

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 use 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.

Come learn about the world of Geocaching, the exciting, Internet-based hide-and-seek game that’s growing across the country! Our REI Outdoor School instructors will teach you to use your GPS unit and your powers of observation to find hidden caches around the Northern Virginia and Maryland area. We will introduce strategies for locating cleverly hidden caches, the use of online “geo-tools”, and Geocaching etiquette. Along the way, we will discuss basic GPS skills, including creating waypoints, plotting a course and transferring route information from a map to a GPS. For more information on the sport of Geocaching, visit www.geocaching.com. We will provide GPS units and maps, for your use, as we discover locally hidden caches.

An REI Outdoor School instructor will teach you the basics of kayak navigation. You’ll learn how to read a tide/current log, read nautical charts, plot courses across shipping lanes, and plan your first trip.

Tired of watching from shore as kayakers glide over the water? Now's the time to join us for an on-the-water class designed to teach you the basics of paddling touring-style kayaks. We'll discuss gear selection, proper fit of boat cockpit and gear, and basic safety skills. Then we'll head out on the water to learn and practice the forward, sweep, reverse and draw stroke techniques so you can get your boat to go where you want it to. Come join us and expand your outdoor destinations to include the open water! Kayaks, PFDs (life vests), paddles, and all accessories are provided. Recommended for those 14 and older; those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

This class expands on the skills learned in our Kayak Level 1 class. Gain more advanced paddling skills! In this on-the-water class we will expand on paddle strokes and boat handling skills and we'll teach self-rescue techniques where you will get to practice safe methods of exiting your boat in a capsize, re-entering your kayak with a paddle float, and pumping it dry with a bilge pump. These recovery skills and the safety gear you learn to use are essential to paddling safely on large bodies of water. All kayaks, PFDs, paddles, and rescue equipment provided.

Join our Outdoor School instructors for a presentation designed to improve composition and explain camera functions. Learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate to exposure. Depth of Field and Rule of Thirds and their creative potential will be introduced. We will demystify the mega pixel. See examples of successful photographs and discuss what makes them work. Photographers of all levels using film or digital cameras are encouraged to attend.

Join us outdoors in a beautiful location for a day of hands-on learning. Explore your camera and practice your compositional skills on this photographic field trip. Our instructors will explain how your camera works and offer instant feedback and pointers to make your images more interesting. Learn to observe the light and textures nature provides. Aperture, shutter speed and Rule of Thirds will be discussed and practiced. Begin to see beyond your primary subject so that every feature in the frame improves the image and draws the viewer’s attention into a vibrant and stimulating photograph. Photographers of all levels using film or digital cameras are encouraged to attend. This is the perfect complement to our in-store class.