#Packrat outdoor center free#

Relationships and word of mouth - those are the best ways to build your business authentically. Of the events, Sims says, “We create relationships, that’s the best part. Pack Rat also hosts a Rugrat Adventure Day for kids, as well as the Wild and Scenic Film Festival and a rock climbing event, Climber’s Rendezvous, that includes clinics, demos, presentations, raffles and more. The store has a dedicated staffer to handle events - Libby Young, the community events coordinator. It also includes, beer, barbeque and live music. The Boondoggle aspect of this event includes clinics, product demos, games and giveaways going on from vendor partners such as The North Face, MSR, Sea to Summit, ENO and Grand Trunk Hammocks, Hults Bruk Axes, Hydro Flask and Klean Kanteen, Big Agnes and others. The key tool is the brain, and the best asset is teamwork. While there are physical challenges, the goal is to push the limit of the teams’ diversity of skills and what can be accomplished together. Teams use items such as a bush knife, compass, para-cord, duct tape and a fire steel to complete challenges as they navigate the course. The Pint Nights are focused on fundraising for local non-profits.Īnother big event Pack Rat hosts is the Brewha Bushwhack and Boondoggle, which is a race of sorts, but not a race in the traditional sense. The retailer also hosts Pint Nights with vendor partner contributions. “All that our community members have to do is call and register and let us know they want to be a part of it.”

#Packrat outdoor center free#

“Most of what we offer is free education,” says Sims. The store runs several major events throughout the year and generally hosts at least one smaller event per week - on Wednesday nights - it could be a clinic for anything from paddling to backpacking to bushcraft. Obviously we need to sell stuff to stay in business,” store manager Chally Sims says of the store’s philosophy, “but we work really hard to be a hub for the community.” The Fayetteville, AR-based shop is known not only for its great merch and knowledgable staff, but also for its robust event schedule, a commitment to its community, elevated sustainability efforts and much more. When it comes to outdoor retail, the secret is already out about Pack Rat Outdoor Center.

The Northwest Arkansas region where Pack Rat Outdoor Center is located has such an abundance of natural resources that the once under the radar scene is becoming more and more of an outdoor destination.