Virtual Workshop Series
For the past decade, Outdoor Chattanooga has hosted a series of free winter workshops designed to teach people a variety of outdoor skills in a classroom-based setting. The goal is to inspire and prepare the inner adventurer inside you to get outside and play. Due to COVID, these classroom-based workshops are turning virtual in 2021. Now you can learn outdoor skills from the comfort of your own home! Workshops will occur on Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 PM, January 13 through February 24, 2022 and topics include backpacking, trail maintenance and volunteering, backpacking, wilderness survival, as well bike maintenance. (See the full schedule and descriptions below). Workshops are 100% free and open to the public. No prior experience required to attend. Join us for one, some or all to improve your outdoor skills!
2022 Virtual Workshop Series
January 13: Wilderness Survival
Join Outdoor Chattanooga’s Recreation Specialist and avid outdoorsman, Cole Henderson for an interactive wilderness survival workshop focusing on shelter building, practical tips and strategies for survival, essentials to carry and how to make an emergency shelter. Wilderness survival has made a name for itself through reality television and movies, but there’s a lot more to this dramatized Hollywood subject then you might expect! This class will help you think outside the box with real life examples and experiences that could help save your life on an unexpected night lost in the woods! This class is designed for anyone who spends time outdoors.
Following this workshop, you can put it to practice at Greenway Farm on January 15, 2022. Registration is required as space is limited is available on our program catalog.
https://secure.rec1.com/catalog
January 27: All About TRAILS!!!
The Chattanooga area has a wonderful network of trails and it takes a tremendous amount of effort from several different organizations to keep our natural resources available for us to enjoy. Join Jeremy Parker, Greg Foster and Randy Whorton with local nonprofit Wild Trails as they discuss the in’s and out’s of what it takes to maintain and build trails around the beautiful city of Chattanooga. Learn about trail etiquette, what it takes to build a trail, who builds Chattanooga trails, who and how to maintain the trails, and MORE!
Following this workshop, you can put it to practice with Wild Trails on January 29, 2022. Registration is required as space is limited is available on our program catalog.
https://secure.rec1.com/catalog
.February 10: Bicycle Maintenance 101
Did you score a new bike recently or drag the old one from under the porch and feel like it is two “tired” to ride?
James Eubank, bike specialist with Outdoor Chattanooga will present a variety of tricks to get that bike rolling again! Bicycle safety is more than just making sure you are wearing a helmet, your machine needs to be checked over as well. Get your old bike out and practice at home during this live workshop and ask questions if you run into issues.
Put it to practice: Keep your eyes out for a variety of spring biking opportunities that are guided, instructional and equipped, with Outdoor Chattanooga, including: Learn to Ride a Bike, Intro to Mountain Biking, Ride the Riverwalk, and more!
February 24: Basics of Backpacking
Let us help you prepare for your first (or next) backpacking adventure. This workshop will cover everything you should consider before going on your next backpacking trip such as what equipment to pack, how to pack your backpack for balance and comfort, meal planning, safety, as well as a few other tricks.
Put it to practice with the opportunity to register for a guided backpacking experience with Outdoor Chattanooga staff on the Cumberland Trail, a local rugged, north-south, foot traffic only trail along the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee. February 26-27, 2022 Registration is required as space and equipment is limited on our program catalog.
https://secure.rec1.com/catalog
FAQs
When and where are the virtual workshops offered?
When: Bi-weekly on Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 PM, starting January 13, 2022 through February 24.
Where: Online: Reservations required in advance. Register here.
Do I have to make a reservation?
Do I need to have my own equipment
Yes, since these virtual workshops are online, you will need to have your own equipment to practice any skills being taught. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide the gear/equipment list in the registration email. Should you be registering for the Backpacking Basics camping trip, you will need to let the trip leader know what equipment you need to borrow from us.
How much does it cost?
Do I have to have experience to participate?
Events
Did You Know?
This is Outdoor Chattanooga’s 12th consecutive year offering free winter workshops to the public. Workshop topics have ranged from critter encounters, creepy crawlies, wilderness first aid, family camping, camp cooking 101, knot tying 101, fishing 101, intro to turkey hunting, intro to paddle sports, Leave No Trace Ethics, map & compass, how to poop in the woods, bike maintenance, bike touring, bike packing, hiking and backpacking basics, backcountry cooking, and so much more. Let us know what outdoor skills you’d like to learn about and we’ll add it to the list! Thanks to COVID, we are now offering the winter workshops virtually!