REI Outdoor School > Virginia and Maryland > Backcountry Cooking (Outing)

Virginia and Maryland REI Outdoor School

Backcountry Cooking (Outing)

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.)

Trip operates rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe. Trip leaders will make any weather-related decisions on the day of the trip.

* Advance registration is required. Call or visit any DC area REI to sign up.

Time:
Meet at 9:00 a.m.
Cost: Member: $35, Non-Member: $55

Where To Meet:

Meet at the location or REI store listed below. If the program meets at a location other than a REI store, a member of the Outdoor School staff will contact you to coordinate directions.

July 26th College Park REI
August 16th Rockville REI
September 28th Rockville REI

WHAT TO BRING:

A cup, bowl (or small Tupperware container) and spoon for sampling our food.
Bag lunch and snacks that you can carry with you on the trail.
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.
A daypack to carry it all!

REI OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROVIDES:

A selection of stoves and cooking supplies available for participants to 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.

REI Outdoor School Cancellation Policy

To be courteous to all customers, we request you notify REI Outdoor School at least 48 hours prior to the trip if you intend to cancel; late cancellations will not be refunded. Class or Outing cancellations on the part of REI Outdoor School will be refunded in full, regardless of timeframe. Inclement weather does not necessarily cancel an event; REI Outdoor School will contact you in the event of a cancellation.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

REI Outdoor School strives to provide the best outdoor education programs possible. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee ensures that our classes and outings at REI Outdoor School meet your high standards - or we will gladly offer your choice of a refund or a chance to re-take the class/outing.

Waitlists

In order to keep our instruction personable, space on our classes and outings is limited. If you are interested in an activity that has filled, we would be happy to place you on a waitlist for that event. If space opens, we will contact the list in the order you signed up, but we are unable to hold that spot if we're unable to speak with you directly. Providing us with your best contact information increases your chances of joining us.

Availability

Classes and outings are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. Should a program be cancelled or a rescheduled, all registered participants will be notified.