Become outdoorsy with REI classes

The call of the wild is strong, but where do urban Huntington Beach dwellers who want to venture into the great outdoors turn to learn the skills? REI at Bella Terra is hoping to be the answer.

The national outdoors co-op store provides people interested in outdoor sports with the necessary training to get out and do it themselves. Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, biking or something else, the outreach team for the store provides plenty of workshops and classes to learn the basics.

There are clinics in things like orienteering, bike maintenance, skiing and snowboarding, and rock climbing, as well as slide shows presented by well-traveled members. Some of the clinics are free.

“It’s designed to support our customer base in any activity they’re interested in,” says Lyndie Bradshaw, the Orange County outreach coordinator.

The store will host a free clinic on preparing to climb Mount Whitney Thursday. The 7 p.m. class will guide participants through getting the proper permits and what to expect on the trail.

For people who want to get even more in depth, REI offers an outdoor school that takes day trips to nearby wilderness. Bradshaw said students travel all over for different classes. Students meet at Bella Terra and are taken to hike many local spots like Laguna Canyon and along the Ortega Highway.

The classes are for anyone interested in getting out, no matter what their experience level. “These people aren’t going to be hiking 30 miles into the Alps,” Bradshaw says. “But they’re interested in hiking.”

The day classes range from $45 to $95. They include transportation as well as necessary supplies for the activity. There will be a $50 Introduction to Backpacking class at 9 a.m. Saturday that includes basics on how to pack and how to find the proper fit for your backpack.

The schools are part of the company’s plan to get people to experience nature.

“REI is doing everything it can to promote people getting out,” said Scott Ammons, who organizes Southern California’s REI Outdoor school.

It’s part of the ideology behind the national chain which promotes environmental stewardship and well as active lifestyles. It was founded in 1938 by a group of mountain climbers who worked together to buy equipment in bulk to save money. A lifetime membership in the co-op is $20.

Recreational Equipment Inc. is still a profit sharing co-op, and each store location is tuned in to the community it serves. Bradshaw says the company’s environmental activism includes addressing the encroachment of non-native plants in local ecosystems.

“People need to be aware that non-native plants are a threat,” Bradshaw says.

IF YOU GO

Who: REI

What: Outdoor clinics and schools

Where: REI at Bella Terra, 7777 Edinger Ave.

Information: Call (714) 379-1938 for more information or to register. Walk-in registrations are also welcome. Visit www.rei.com.