In 2015, REI Co-op closed its stores on Black Friday for the first time, giving its employees the day off to #OptOutside and encouraging others around the country to skip the shopping lines and do the same. In the nine years since, millions of people have decided to #OptOutside, enjoying the outdoors not only on Black Friday but year-round.
To honor the origin of #OptOutside, we asked REI Co-op Members and employees to share their annual day-after-Thanksgiving traditions—including some that began before 2015 but have become cemented in the years since—like picking up litter in the local park and planning creative camping trips with friends. We hope these stories inspire your own time outside.
Run with the College Crew
Name: Kim Kruezman
Year tradition began: 2014
REI Co-op Member since 2014
My #OptOutside tradition is all about spending time with the people I love. They say you meet your best friends in college, and for me that proved true. The 12 of us met at Ball State University in Indiana through the college’s runner’s association, and we bonded over a shared passion for the sport. Every day at 5 pm, we’d gather at the campus pool to begin our daily ritual: a run. But we shared more than just miles. We trained for races and ate meals as a group. Some of us even lived together in an off-campus house we fondly called “The Run Club House.”
It’s been about 10 years since we graduated college and went from living just across campus from each other to living all over the country, yet our bond remains strong. Every year, we plan a running trip—a half-marathon, marathon or 200-plus-mile relay in a city we’ve wanted to visit, often where one or more of us now lives. We’ve run through the mountains and along Washington’s coast; circled Michigan’s sparkling lakes; trudged through Florida’s humidity and sand; and enjoyed carefree miles amidst the cornfields of our home turf in Indiana.
Each trip, we rent the biggest Airbnb we can find to recreate our college camaraderie. We prepare a prerace pasta dinner and relive old rituals like hiking to a cold lake for a postrace “ice bath” or piling into a car and blasting songs from the early 2000s. We end our celebrations by exploring whatever city we’re in—cherishing our time together and the tradition we’ve built.
Connected to Nature
Name: Tyler Wells
Year tradition began: 2023
REI Co-op Member since 2020
Below is a transcript of Tyler’s story.
Hello, I am Tyler, and this is my sign name. Having been raised in New York City in a three-generations deaf family, I have always had desires that are different from other people that live in the city. Throughout my life, even as entertainment technology developed, I am still not a big fan of entertainment technology because instead I always would rather do anything outdoors—anything.
My father was an outdoorsman. He would enjoy doing many different things and took me out with him on most of his outdoor trips as I grew up. Naturally, I became an outdoorsman that does not rely on hearing. There are multiple new opportunities and rewards I would get when going outdoors, and that is what matters to me the most.
Whenever I head outdoors, I always find something to do that is a new challenge for me and try to accomplish it. Because if I complete a challenge, it rewards me emotionally, mentally and spiritually in many ways. That includes learning from my struggles and mistakes and even seeing all the beautiful things on the journey—heading out on varied journeys that involve bikepacking, long day hikes, wilderness camping and more. Sometimes I get to meet with a variety of people and communicate in varied ways, which is an incredible experience.
Being in society with other people where there are expectations to be met depletes my energy. When I head out into nature, I feel more valued to my own self. When I perceive nature as a resort to everything, all nature asks in return from me is for me to take care of it, to be the steward and connect with the flora and fauna.
A Reprieve from Retail
Name: Sarah Skeffington
Year tradition began: 2016
REI Co-op Member since 2012
Every year, my husband and I find time to go outside the day following Thanksgiving. After 10 years working retail, I felt a sense of relief when I started at REI as a part-time sales manager at the San Antonio, Texas, store and had Black Friday off work. It’s become a time for my husband and I to head to the local park to either pick up trash or relax. We have enjoyed many #OptOutside days in different states due to visiting family or moving for work, including Texas, Delaware and Connecticut. This year, we will celebrate #OptOutside in Ohio!
“Yurtsgiving”
Name: Stephanie Sellinger
Year tradition began: 2015
REI Co-op Member since 2007
My friends and I celebrate Yurtsgiving: We gather at a state park, rent a few yurts, and cook Thanksgiving dinner outside in the firepit and on camp stoves. Some of the meals are camp-cooking masterpieces! But it’s really about the camaraderie, especially when it rains, and we have to band together to cook a dinner.
Family Cleanup
Name: Elizabeth Finlayson
Year tradition began: 2020
REI Co-op Member since 2008
Every year, my husband, son, daughter and I pick up litter around our kids’ elementary school. It’s always fun because at the end of the day we get to have a cleaner school and spend time together outdoors.
Fun Runs with Friends and Family
Name: Jenn Schroeder
Year tradition began: 2022
REI Co-op Member since 2022
Ever since I started working as a sales manager at the REI store in Gretna, Nebraska, I’ve spent every Thanksgiving and Black Friday participating in fun runs and walks with my friends and family. I worked in retail for 16 years prior to joining the co-op, so I know what it’s like to work on Black Friday. I appreciate being able to #OptOutside during this time. It feels different now that I can enjoy the holiday.
Snowboard Lessons
Name: Nikki Klein
Year tradition began: 2012
REI Co-op Member since 2001
My #OptOutside tradition is to teach people how to snowboard. I have worked as a professional snowboard instructor for the past 13 years and have spent every Black Friday of the last 12 on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain in California, helping people learn a new way to play outside. Snowboarding and skiing are such beautiful activities; they allow you to be completely present in the current moment. No matter what is going on in the world or your life, there’s just you and the mountain and your next two turns.
At the end of a day on the slopes, I feel euphoric. This is partly because I get some great adrenaline rushes while boarding and because I’m out in nature with the wind and cold on my face. But it’s also because I get a break from my normal thought patterns—snowboarding helps me disconnect from routine while reconnecting with nature.
While this is technically work, it never feels like it. My boots are on, I’m sliding on snow, and I’m enjoying the full winter weather and low light. I’m thrilled by the excitement of those I teach, and I’m having the best day right alongside them. Teaching snowboarding to others is truly one of my favorite things to do.
Tree-Cutting Tradition
Name: Kayla Barr
Year tradition began: 2019
REI Co-op Member since 2005
My #OptOutside tradition is to cut down a Christmas tree after securing a permit through the United States Forest Service. I cut one down every year with my husband and our 3-year-old son at Lolo National Forest in Montana. Our family has expanded over the years to include friends, and we enjoy having them join us to get their own tree too!
What’s your #OptOutside tradition?
We want to hear about your favorite way to #OptOutside. Drop it in the comments below!