Outdoor Education Workshops

Winter 2026 Workshop Descriptions

Intro to Backpacking - Planning a Trip

“Backpacking” is when you carry all your camping equipment in a large backpack and hike with it for several miles down a trail. At the end of the day, you set up camp near your trail. The next day, you pack up your backpack and hike even further. This can be repeated daily for the trip’s duration. This method is ideal for traveling deeper into the wilderness, where one can experience more pristine, remote natural wonders. However, it comes at the hard-earned cost of carrying all your equipment with you the whole way.

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of planning their own backpacking trips. The course will cover how to pick a trail, plan a route, reserve a permit, what to bring, how to pack a backpack, and a suggested list of specialized skills/knowledge a backpacker should know in advance. Lastly, instructors will provide recommendations for their favorite backpacking trails, including beginner routes, close-by destinations, and bucket list worthy treks.

Intro to Camping – Planning a Trip

“Camping” is when you drive to a campsite and set up your tent at that location, with the intention of staying in that spot for a few days. During the day you might go on a hike, visit a lake, or explore rock formations. Each night, you will return to your same campsite, where your car can park nearby and your camp is already set up. This is sometimes referred to as “car camping” or “front country camping.” Camping can be ideal for beginners or those looking for an easier, more accessible form of outdoor recreation, as the activities can be entry-level, and your vehicle and any supplies you bring are readily available.

This workshop will discuss the equipment needed on a camping trip, including stoves, tents, sleeping bags, and ground pads. Additionally, participants will gain insight into the planning required, such as how to pick a destination, when to go, how to reserve campsites, and the basics of preparing for wildlife and weather safety. Lastly, instructors will share recommendations for their favorite camping destinations, including close-by local getaways, hidden gems with fewer crowds, and bucket list worthy destinations.

Tent and Sleep System Setup

Winter 2026 dates: None scheduled

Setting up a tent is one of the first skills you should acquire before camping or backpacking. In this workshop, participants will learn about different tent types, parts of the tent, and how to use stakes and guy lines to set up a sturdy, weather-proof tent. Additionally, participants will gain hands-on practice setting up our 2- and 4-person tents, including practicing details for setting up the rainfly and tarp. Participants will also learn about the different components of a sleep system, including how to pick the right sleeping bag and why you never want to skip the ground pad. Lastly, instructors will share their best tips on how to stay warm, dry, and even set up tents in the snow or windy desert.

Building a Campfire

Campfires can be a memorable way to end a day of camping, bringing people together for warmth, s’mores and storytelling under the stars. In this workshop, participants will learn how to start, build and manage a fire, as well as select appropriate wood types/sizes, employ safety techniques when chopping wood, identify allowable locations for campfires, and responsibly mitigate environmental risks and impacts to the wilderness. This workshop is great for beginners and experienced recreators who are looking to practice their campfire building skills in a controlled environment.

Backcountry Weather Preparedness and Response

Understanding how to avoid, prepare or respond to different weather conditions is key to planning successful backcountry trips. This workshop will cover topics including how to respond to lightning storms, rain, flash foods, and wildfires. The course will also discuss how to prevent heat-related illness and basic safety protocols around extreme environmental conditions. Lastly, we will review best practices to avoid getting lost, and what to do in case you or a member of your group gets lost. By the end of this workshop, participants will have the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a variety of challenging environmental conditions they may face while adventuring outdoors.

Camp Kitchen Setup & Backcountry Cooking

Cooking in the backcountry can feel daunting without the typical kitchen tools one might be accustomed to cooking with. In this workshop, participants will learn how to set up a field kitchen, cook meals and dispose of waste in a camping or backcountry scenario. Specific skills will include camping/backpacking stove usage, food storage and handling, and how to wash the dishes. Lastly, instructors will share some of their favorite recipes and meal plans for both camping and backpacking adventures.

Gear Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Exposure to the elements will damage equipment over time. However, this can be prevented and managed with proper care. In this workshop, participants will learn how to protect their equipment from damage and how to perform common repairs, such as replacing the elastic in tent poles, patching holes in tents, and sewing rips on clothing or sleeping bags. Participants will leave with knowledge necessary to extend the life of their equipment, potentially saving hundreds of dollars’ worth of equipment.

Knots for the Outdoors

Knots are a useful outdoor skill to add to your repertoire, as they can aid building structures, securing equipment, hanging food and more. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to tie knots such as the figure eight, bowline, and trucker’s hitch, as well as when and how to employ them.

Reading a Topographic Map

Winter 2026 dates: None scheduled

Navigating in the backcountry can be intimidating without knowledge of how to read topographic maps. Learn how to decipher the lines and symbols that are frequently used on topographic maps. At the end of this session participants will be able to identify peaks, valleys, drainages, ridges, terrain types, and other common map components which can be applied to trip planning and navigating. Lastly, instructors will review some useful brands and products of topographic maps that are available for recreational use.

Water Treatment and Backpacking Hygiene

Winter 2026 dates: None scheduled

Drinking fresh creek, stream, or lake water while in the backcountry can be equally refreshing as dangerous if not properly treated. In this workshop, participants will learn about different types of filters and treatment methods and even get some hands-on experience using different systems/techniques! We will compare the most popular water treatment products on the market, from chemical treatments to physical filters. At the end of the workshop, participants will have a grasp of which water filtration methods are the right fit for their destination, budget, and personal preferences. In addition to water treatment, we will also discuss how to use the bathroom in the wilderness. No one wants to find someone else’s dirty toilet paper in the woods! We will review the basic steps for how to use the bathroom in a way that is both hygienic to humans and protective of the natural, pristine wilderness.

So, You Want to Summit Mt. Whitney?

Winter 2026 dates: None scheduled

Here in Los Angeles, we are fortunate to live just a few hours from the base of the contiguous USA's highest mountain, Mt. Whitney (14,498 ft). In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of how to plan a trip to summit Mt. Whitney in the summer or fall. The content will include when/how to obtain permits, viable camping locations along the trail, and commonly recommended routes. Many outdoor enthusiasts looking to expand their experiences to less crowded destinations additionally turn their attention to the other “14ers,” or summits over 14,000 ft. In this workshop, you will learn valuable concepts to apply to any summit trip, including planning, recognizing and responding to altitude illness.

So, You Want to Go to Yosemite?

Winter 2026 dates: None scheduled

Interested in planning a trip to Yosemite National Park? It’s one of the most beautiful national parks, but also one of the most crowded and hard to book. In this workshop participants will learn when to go, where to stay, how to obtain permits and reservations, recommendations for must-see day hikes, and tips for escaping the crowds and experiencing remote hidden gems.

Wilderness Navigation and Orientation

A map and compass can be used when following poorly established trails or when traveling off-trail, commonly called “bushwacking” or “cross-country travel.” This workshop will cover the basics of how to take and follow a bearing using a map and compass. Through a combination of lecture and hands-on practice, participants will experience navigating campus using a map and compass. Please note that off-trail travel is an advanced outdoor skill that should only be done with appropriate preparedness, skills, and experience. This course is an introduction to one of those skills.

Wilderness First Aid Certification

Winter 2026 dates: 01/31 – 02/01

A 16-hour certification course on the foundational principles and skills needed to respond to illnesses, injuries, and environmental hazards in a remote or wilderness setting. 

Learn More About OA Education Workshops

Contact Us

Send questions to oa@recreation.ucla.edu or, drop by the Outdoor Adventures Rental Center to speak with us in person during open hours.