LAS VEGAS – For the second year, outdoor retailer Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is highlighting the places and people making Southern Nevada a true adventure mecca. Launched in the spring of 2018, April Adventures is all about celebrating the area’s recreation and introducing the greater community to the richness and diversity of our outdoor spaces.
“What happens in Vegas shouldn’t just stay in Vegas!” says REI store manager Mike Harcarik when discussing the outdoors. As manager of the store at Boca Park, where April Adventures will kick off with a party on Sunday March 31 from 11am-3pm, he wants to share the excitement he and thousands of his customers experience when visiting amazing outdoor places like Red Rock Canyon or Mt. Charleston. “They’re cool enough for seasoned pros, but friendly enough to make scary activities like rock climbing, canyoneering and mountain biking easy for anyone.” But it’s not just about those activities he says, “…recreation here is endless, day hiking, trail running, cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, and even SUP and paddling. There’s something for everyone.”
Free and open to the public (registration at rei.com/learn), the party includes gear rentals, pack/boot fittings, product samples, games and prizes, make-your-own trail mix, and signups for stewardship events, outdoor workshops and presentations. As April Adventures unfolds throughout the month, the REI stores at Boca Park and Henderson are offering more than 40 in-store classes, 10 field workshops and special events including a gear swap, garage sale and an outdoor-themed movie night.
All registered attendees of the kickoff party are eligible to win raffled prizes like a Cannondale bike, REI tent, Yeti cooler and more, while anyone who registers for a class at the kickoff gets special swag.
More than 400 people are already signed up for the party, where the outdoor community will be out in force. Nearly two dozen conservation-focused nonprofits, local outdoor clubs and race groups will join more than a dozen product vendors and a host of local REI experts to share their own messages and engagement opportunities. Partygoers can learn about volunteering for groups like Get Outdoors Nevada, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition; chat with and demo product from vendors like Salomon, Keen, Darn Tough and Backpackers Pantry; learn about outdoor pet emergency education, even sign up for events through outfits like Revel Mt. Charleston and Tour de Summerlin.
David Quinlan, REI’s outdoor programs and outreach coordinator for the Las Vegas area says REI is committed to not only outfitting folks and introducing new activities, but fighting for a life outdoors by protecting and ensuring access to parks and recreational spaces. “We want to build a bridge for everyone to have fun outside, but also educate them to ongoing conservation and stewardship efforts in the area,” says David. So come out and join the party.
About the REI Co-op REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 17 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 154 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the free REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs more than 170 custom-designed itineraries worldwide. The REI Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner-to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.
About Boca Park Fashion Village
A premier shopping and entertainment destination, Boca Park Fashion Village is a unique and diverse open-air retail village with an array of shops, restaurants, fitness, beauty and specialty services that appeal to locals and visitors alike. Located in the heart of the southwest valley, just south of Summerlin Parkway at the corner of Rampart and Charleston boulevards, Boca Park Fashion Village boasts high-end boutiques and restaurants offering one-of-a-kind fashion, beauty, food, and social hang-outs. Some of the tenants include Eccoci, European Wax Center, Kona Grill, Mastroianni Fashions, The Cheesecake Factory, Modena Fashion Boutique, Hussong’s Cantina, R+D Emporium and Sambalatte. For more information, visit www.bocaparklv.com or follow Boca Park Fashions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.