Urban Outdoors: Survival Skills Series

Harness your inner explorer with the Family Adventure Skills Series at in Echo Park this summer.

Sponsored by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and presented by the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, this free four-part series will teach participants the ins-and-outs for any outdoor adventure. Each of the programs runs from 7-8:30 p.m.

This is the first year Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority has put on this program.

Judy Perezsoto, an interpretive naturalist for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, said that she hopes that it will motivate people to get out of their homes and explore the nature.

 “We hope to motivate people not to be afraid of nature," Perezsoto said. 'The program will give people their own set of skills when they’re out in nature: what to do, what to bring and where to go camping."

To kick off the program, there's “Compass 101” this Thursday at 7 p.m. The program will teach participants to become skilled at using compasses to navigate trails. A limited quantity of compasses will also be given away to participants.

Upcoming event include: Firemaking & Outdoor skills, Camping Skills and Campfire Cooking 101. At each event there will be free giveaways and surprises.

Perezsoto said that the programming is designed to get people to go out of their homes and take a break from their urban lifestyle.

“It takes you from the jungle of the city, from the concrete, to where there's green, open and there’s fresh air and wildlife,” Perezsoto said. “As well as relaxing and learning, you can just get away from your regular routine and enjoy what nature has to offer with its intrinsic beauty.”

Perezsoto said she hopes that the program encourages people to use their parks more.

“The parks are opened to the public and they’re for our use. We really hope that this helps motivate people to visit their local mountains,” Perezsoto said.

At the end of the series conclusion Perezsoto said there is a possibility that they might be able to plan a local camping trip or day trip.

“There were some plans during our brainstorming sessions, but they’re not confirmed yet. Hopefully, if we have good attendance and people are consistent we might be able to do a local camping trip or day trip, but because of funding I can’t say yes right now,” Perezsoto said.  

Regardless, Perezsoto said that she hopes people will plan their own trips with the skills they learn from the program.

“We think camping is so far away, but our first campsite in the area is actually less than 30 miles away,” Perezsoto said. “At the end, we hope people will have a set of skills that they'll be able to use or at least start gaining more confidence in using and exploring the parks.”  

If you’re interested in getting to know your parks more, make sure to check other programming offered by Mountain Recreation & Conservation authority this summer, like their evening campfire series.

They take place at Vista Hermosa every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. all summer and participants can enjoy a nature program, campfire songs, and marshmallow roasting. For more information check out their calendar of events here or call: 213-250-1100.