Outdoor Trips & Education

Workshops

The following workshops are offered each quarter. View the schedule and register via
the Recreation online store.

Backcountry Weather Forecasting and Safety

Understanding how to prepare for different weather conditions is key to a safe and enjoyable backcountry trip. This workshop will address planning for and responding to lightning, rain, wind, flash foods, and wildfires. We will also discuss how to prevent heat-related illness and extreme cold. The material covered in this workshop will help prepare you to navigate a variety of challenging weather conditions you may face outdoors.

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.

Camp Kitchen Setup & Backcountry Cooking

Cooking in the backcountry can feel daunting without the typical kitchen tools you might typically use. In this workshop, you will gain knowledge around different types of stoves, fuels, and tools used while cooking outdoors. Additionally, we will detail how to carry, store, and prepare food, particularly in terms of bear/wildlife safety. Our instructors will even share some of their favorite backcountry recipes! Did you know that the camp kitchen is where most illness/injury occurs in camping/backpacking trips? As such, this workshop will also discuss critical components of kitchen safety, food safety, and camp hygiene.

Gear Maintenance and Repair

Gear used outdoors is frequently damaged due to rough conditions and exposure to the elements. Thankfully, many common mishaps are fixable with a little knowledge on how to maintain and repair gear. In this workshop, you will learn about how to protect your gear and prevent damage, and how to store it so it will last its full life. You will also learn how to perform common gear repairs, such as replacing the elastic in tent poles, patching holes in tents, and sewing rips that can occur on clothing and sleeping bags.

Intro to Backpacking - Planning a Trip

Backpacking involves carrying all your camping equipment in a large pack and hiking out to camp and explore the wilderness. In this workshop, you will learn how to plan and execute your own backpacking trip including how to pick a trail, how to strategically pack a backpack, what you need to bring, safety considerations, and when/how to obtain a permit. By the end of this workshop you will have gathered the knowledge needed to plan a backpacking trip.

Intro to Camping - Planning a Trip 

Camping is a great way to explore the outdoors and spend time with friends and family. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of selecting a location. reserving campsites, securing permits and procuring the equipment you will need to get started. We will discuss some of California’s most beautiful camping destinations, talk about safety considerations, and walk you through the different styles of tents, stoves, and other items you may need while camping.

Knots for the Outdoors

Knot tying is a great outdoor skill to add to your repertoire. In this workshop, you will learn the importance and use of different knots, as well as how to tie basic knots such as the overhand, figure eight, bowline, and trucker’s hitch. These knots are fundamental to properly building temporary structures, securing equipment, or hanging food for wildlife safety.

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.

Reading a Topography Map

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

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, you will learn how to set up 2-person and 4-person tents, gain knowledge on tent types, parts, and stake use. We will also discuss shelter safety, how to stay warm, and even how to set up tents in the snow!

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, you 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.

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

Upcoming Trips

Cancelled: Backpack the Sespe Wilderness, March 24-27, 2025 (Spring Break)

The Spring Break trip has been cancelled due to the lead instructor experiencing a family emergency. We apologize for any disappointment this may cause.

A potential trip during the Summer Break Week (June 16-21, 2025) is being evaluated. More information will be posted here once updates are available.

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 rentalcenter@recreation.ucla.edu.
Or, drop by the Outdoor Adventures Rental Center to speak with us in person during open hours.