OptOutside Family-Friendly Hike

Skip the shopping on Black Friday and join us outside!
  • WhenNov 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (America/New_York / UTC-500)
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Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy has been hosting an OptOutside event every year since 2015.  Initially conceived as a stand against the ghastly American consumerism of Black Friday, the concept of #OptOutside was created by REI and is meant to encourage people to go outside and enjoy nature the day after Thanksgiving.  REI closes its stores on Black Friday, allowing their employees to enjoy the outdoors too.

For the 2025 RCTC OptOutside event, we will:

  • Meet at Harmar Shelter in North Park at 10:00 a.m. 
  • Hike options are a 5-mile loop or a 2.5 mile shorter hike
  • Afterwards, we'll have cookies and hot beverages (teas and such) 

Questions? Contact Donna Stolz at (412) 303-6102‬ or Charlotte Kymer at kymerchar@gmail.com. 

We are collecting items for the needy at this event. Please consider bringing any of the following: 

  1. Gently used winter coats and other cold-weather clothing (Items will go to Outreached Arms for dissemination to those in need)
  2. Socks (Will go to Outreached Arms for dissemination to those in need) 
  3. Food items (Will go to North Hills Community Outreach for dissemination via their food banks. Please check their website to see what items they need most at the time of the hike.)  

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