Pack-Light, Pack-Right Backpacking: Sun. Afternoon Free Class at REI

OVERVIEW:  Many of our Atlanta Outdoor Club members may be unaware that our four Metro Atlanta REI stores offer a wide variety of FREE tutorial classes.  Topics range from basic backpacking, camping, and hiking skills to bicycling, paddling, climbing, skiing, favorite wilderness destinations, etc.  The presentations are hosted in conference rooms at the REI stores by employee specialists who are authorities in the featured topics - also sometimes are presented by invited guest speakers. 

LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING is a popular trend which takes advantage of smart gear choices and technology advances that minimize the weight and bulk that one needs to carry.  The REI Atlanta store is offering the following FREE class on Nov 13, as advertised on REI.com:  "PACK LIGHT, PACK RIGHT!"  Would you like to know how to pack lightly but still be comfortable and perhaps even have room for a few extras? An REI backpacking expert will provide tips for reducing pack weight without sacrificing product performance or overall comfort.

EVENT PLAN & SCHEDULE:  Our local  REI "Outreach" manager, Nicole Warren-Smith, has kindly invited an AOC group of up to fifteen  to attend this free indoor REI class on Sunday afternoon, Nov 13 at the REI Atlanta store (see detailed directions below).  Our members who become confirmed by the AOC for the event will first gather at 1:40 PM just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another.  Then at about 1:50 PM we'll join the featured speaker and other class attendees in the "presentation room"—usually the large storage room on your right after you enter the store.  The class will begin at 2:00 and end by about 3:30.  After the class, if there's enough interest we'll take a group stroll around the store to take a better look at the various types of gear that were discussed in the class.

BY THE WAY:  IF YOU'D LIKE to MAKE PERSONAL RESERVATIONS for yourself and friends at FUTURE FREE REI CLASSES,  you can go online to check the upcoming schedule of in-store events and availability; then reserve your own personal spot(s) as follows:
1) Go to REI.com
2) Click on "Store Locator" at the top of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3) Click on the free Class or Presentation of interest,
4) Fill in the online Reservation form and submit (may require your REI member number—costs $20 for a lifetime membership).
5) If you fail to successfully make a formal reservation, walk-ins at these events are often acceptable on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.