Outdoor Trips & Education

Workshops

Going to the outdoors, away from your comfy bed can surely be a daunting task if you have never done anything like it before. Our workshops are designed to help you get started by sharing practical knowledge of the outdoors so that you can explore it safely and responsibly.

Please refer any questions to oa@recreation.ucla.edu. 

Intro to Backpacking: Planning a Trip

Backpacking involves carrying all of your camping equipment in a large pack and hiking out to camp while exploring the wilderness. In this workshop, participants will gain the skills and knowledge on how to plan and execute their own backpacking trips. The course will cover aspects like considerations before picking a trail, the research that must be conducted, what to bring and how to pack your backpack, general environmental and safety considerations and permit information.

Intro to Camping: Planning a Trip

Camping allows people to explore the outdoors and spend time with friends and family in a comfortable way, with access to big stoves and mattresses, among other camp related camping facilities. The workshop will discuss how to find and secure camping spots in California, talk about safety in the outdoors, and walk participants through the different styles of tents, stoves, and gear they may need while camping. Participants will leave prepared to safely and responsibly plan their next camping trip.

Tent and Sleep System Setup

Setting up a tent is one of the first skills you should acquire before camping or backpacking. In this Workshop, participants will learn how to set up 2-person and 4-person tents, gain knowledge on tent types, parts, and stake use. Other aspects, such as sleeping bag, quilts and pads will be discussed. We will also discuss shelter safety, how to stay warm, and even how to set up tents in the snow!

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.

Wilderness Navigation and Orientation

Getting lost in the wilderness can be scary and dangerous. In this workshop, participants will learn considerations and skills on how to avoid getting lost, including trip preparation advices and safe practices once on the trail and learn how to find their way back to the trail or camp by using compasses, maps and other modern resources like smartphones.

Back Country Weather Forecasting and Safety

Understanding how to avoid, prepare or react to different weather conditions is key to planning successful backcountry trips. This workshop will cover topics including how to handle 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. By the end of this workshop, participants will have the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate a variety of challenging weather conditions they may face while being in the outdoors.

Camp Kitchen Setup and Back Country Cooking

Cooking at a campsite or in the backcountry can be fun. However, if done irresponsibly, can pose threats to ourselves and to the environment. In this workshop, participants will learn how to efficiently, safely and responsibly set up a field kitchen, cook meals and dispose of waste in a camping or backcountry scenario. Skills will involve correct use of stoves, water treatment, food handling and storage and fire safety in wilderness settings.

Knots for the Outdoors

Knot tying is a great outdoor skill to add to your repertoire, as knots can aid you in properly building structures, securing gear, hanging food or other useful applications on the trail or at the camp. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to tie knots such as the figure eight, bowline, and trucker’s hitch, alongside when to use them

Gear Maintenance and Repair

Exposure to the elements can damage your gear but it can also be prevented with proper care. In this workshop, participants will learn how to protect their gear from damage and how to perform common gear repairs, such as replacing the elastic in tent poles, patchingholes in tents, and sewing rips that can occur on clothing and sleeping bags. Participants will leave with knowledge necessary to extend the life of their gear, potentially saving hundreds of dollars’ worth of equipment.

Reading a Topography Map

Navigating in the backcountry can be intimidating without knowledge of how to read topographic maps. This workshop will cover how to decipher the lines and symbols that cover topo maps. At the end of this session participants will have knowledge on how to identify peaks, valleys, drainages, ridges, and will be capable of applying these skills for planning and navigating purposes.

Water Treatment and Backpacking Hygiene

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 discuss chemical treatments, physical pumps, and compare many of the most popular water treatment methods on the market. 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?

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 (14,498ft). In this workshop, we will cover all the details one must consider when planning to summit Mt. Whitney. 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?

Interested in planning a trip to Yosemite National Park? In this workshop, our instructor will go over all the details of how to plan for a successful trip to one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. Topics covered include how to obtain permits and reservations, recommendations for must-see day hikes and less touristy backpacking trips, along with helpful tips and secrets of the park.

Apply to go on a free* OA trip for beginner campers or backpackers

Upcoming Trips

No Current Upcoming Trips

Trip Application Prerequisites

• You must be a current UCLA student and Recreation member at the time of applying and at the time that the trip occurs.
• For all camping trips you must have successfully completed the following workshops. Workshops may be completed over the course of multiple quarters.

1. Backcountry Weather Forecasting and Safety
2. Building a Campfire
3. Camp Kitchen Setup & Backcountry Cooking
4. Intro to Camping – Planning my first camping trip
5. Tent and Sleep System Setup

• For all backpacking trips you must have successfully completed the following workshops. Workshops may be completed over the course of multiple quarters.

1. Backcountry Weather Forecasting and Safety
2. Building a Campfire
3. Camp Kitchen Setup & Backcountry Cooking
4. Intro to Backpacking - Planning a Trip
5. Reading a Topography Map
6. Tent and Sleep System Setup
7. Water Treatment and Backpacking Hygiene

Trip Requirements

• You must be available for and successfully attend all pre-trip learning andcplanning sessions. You may miss a maximum of one session, provided you attend a make-up session. If you are not available for the make-up session, or if you miss more than 1 session, you will lose your spot on the trip.
• You must agree to the Outdoor Adventures Trip Code of Conduct.
• You must pay for your own food on the trip. You will co-plan the menu with your fellow trip mates and you will together go shopping for the groceries. You must each pay for your own portion of food.
• You must either provide your own transportation or contribute gas money to someone else on the trip who will agree to drive you in their vehicle. Outdoor
• Adventures will facilitate communications around shared rides.

What is Provided on the Trip?

• Facilitated planning and preparation sessions related to the menu, itinerary, and equipment.
• Camping equipment: Sleeping bag, ground pad, tent, stove, cook set, cooler, water jugs, bear can, backpack, first aid kit, rain jacket/pants, warm puffy jacket, headlamp, trowel, whistle, base layer clothing, refillable water bottle
• Relevant permits and campsite reservations/fees

What do Trip Participants Need to Bring?

Your own hiking shoes, clothing, and toiletries. Read our comprehensive “What to Bring”
list here (coming soon).

Contact 

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