The Confident Camper: Mastering Your Outdoor Gear

Hosted at REI Burbank | Taught by Way Out Wild

Ready to stop second-guessing your gear and start making confident decisions outdoors?

Join Way Out Wild for a hands-on, interactive workshop designed to help you understand how your gear works together as a system. This 3-hour experience focuses on building confidence in how you think about gear, so you can make decisions that support your comfort, safety, and overall experience outside.

Rather than focusing on how to use individual items, this class explores how different gear systems interact and the tradeoffs that come with them. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what works for you and why.

We’ll explore key gear systems including shelter, sleep, cooking, layering, and storage through the lens of comfort, weight, simplicity, and accessibility.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand how different gear systems work together to shape your outdoor experience

• Navigate common tradeoffs like comfort vs. weight and simplicity vs. versatility

• Recognize common decision pitfalls when choosing or upgrading gear

• Build confidence in selecting gear that aligns with your personal needs and goals

• Think through gear choices for different types of trips and environments

• Approach gear organization and packing as part of a larger system
  

This is not a lecture. It’s a hands-on, discussion-based workshop where you’ll interact with gear, compare setups, and build confidence in your decision-making process.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether your gear choices are right for you, this class will help you feel more grounded and confident in your approach.

Class Information

Please show up 15 minutes early to check in!

Date: April, 4, 2026

Duration: 3.5 Hours

Location: REI Burbank

Cost

$60 per participant

As a nonprofit, every dollar goes back into the community. This helps us run programs like this, support our instructors, provide gear for hands-on learning, and continue offering accessible outdoor education for women and underrepresented communities.

Who Is This For?

This course is coed and open to everyone.

It’s perfect for:

• Campers ready to level up their knowledge

• Beginner backpackers who want to understand gear before investing

• Outdoor enthusiasts who want to make smarter purchasing decisions

• Anyone who owns gear but isn’t fully confident using it

• Participants who’ve taken an intro class and want deeper, hands-on instruction

REI x Way Out Wild

REI and Way Out Wild have teamed up to make outdoor education feel less intimidating and more empowering. Through hands-on learning and women-led instruction, we’re creating spaces where you can build real skills, grow your confidence, and feel at home in the outdoors.

Way Out Wild is a women-led outdoor education and adventure organization dedicated to building confidence, safety, and connection in the outdoors. Through guided hikes, camping trips, backpacking programs, and skill-based workshops, WOW creates inclusive and supportive spaces for women and underrepresented communities to grow their outdoor knowledge and experience.

Our mission is simple: knowledge builds confidence, and confidence creates lifelong relationships with nature.