Wilderness Safety: Foundations for Confident Outdoor Adventure

Hosted at REI Burbank | Taught by Way Out Wild

Ever wondered what actually matters when you’re out there and things don’t feel straightforward?

This class is designed to help you build confidence in how you think and make decisions in the outdoors. Instead of focusing on technical skills, we focus on awareness, judgment, and understanding what truly matters when you’re outside. Through guided discussion and real-life context, you’ll learn how to better assess your environment, recognize risk, and make more confident choices before and during your time outdoors.

We’ll explore how factors like weather, terrain, energy levels, and group dynamics all play a role in your safety and overall experience.

You’ll learn how to:

• Think more clearly through changing conditions outdoors

• Use the Ten Essentials as a framework for decision-making, not just a checklist

• Recognize when something feels off and how to respond early

• Understand how small decisions can impact safety over time

• Build awareness around your limits, your environment, and your pace

• Approach outdoor experiences with more intention and confidence
  

This is not a lecture. It’s an interactive, discussion-based class where you’ll reflect, ask questions, and build a stronger foundation for making decisions outdoors.

This is not a certification course and does not include wilderness medicine or first aid training.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your judgment outdoors, 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: Sunday, May 31

Duration: 6 Hours (includes short breaks and a lunch break)

Location: REI Burbank

Cost

$95 per participant

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

Participants who complete the course will receive:

• Way Out Wild Certificate of Completion

• Way Out Wild Enamel Pin

• Course Materials (Book, handouts, etc)

• And more!!

Who Is This For?

This course is coed and open to everyone.

No prior outdoor experience is required. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker or camper. Just be curious and interested in learning how to be more prepared outdoors.

It’s perfect for:

• New hikers who want to feel safer and more prepared outdoors

• Campers and beginner backpackers building foundational safety knowledge

• Outdoor enthusiasts who want to better understand risk management in nature

• People preparing for longer hikes, backpacking trips, or outdoor travel

• Anyone who wants to feel more confident making decisions in the outdoors

  
  

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 people can build real skills, grow their 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 nature. 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, ourselves and each other.