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By Cara Griffin T he 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. When it comes to outdoor retail, the secret is already out about Pack Rat Outdoor Center. 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. "We want to be a resource. 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 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. "Most of what we offer is free education," says Sims. "All that our commu- nity members have to do is call and register and let us know they want to be a part of it." The retailer also hosts Pint Nights with vendor partner contributions. The Pint Nights are focused on fundraising for local non-profits. Another 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. 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. It is not a beat-down obstacle race. While there are physical challenges, the goal is to push the limit of the teams' diversity of skills and what can be accomplished together. The key tool is the brain, and the best asset is teamwork. The Boondoggle aspect of this event includes clinics, prod- T H E G R E A T E I G H T I N O U T D O O R S / O U T S I D E T H E B O X Caption text Um voles sus, corro odis repro eat. Sum qui non comnis dolorun turestem inctur. Pack Rat Outdoor Center Fayetteville, AR 1 Location Notable: The Brewha Bushwhack and Boondoggle, which is a race of sorts, has teams using items such as a bush knife, compass, para-cord, duct tape and a fire steel to complete a variety of challenges as they navigate a course. The Boondoggle is a social event, involving beer, food, music and more. Quotable: "Relationships and word of mouth — those are the best ways to build your business authentically." — Chally Sims, Pack Rat Outdoor Center Pack Rat Outdoor Center's Brewha Bushwhack and Boondoggle is one of its many popular events. The Secrets to Success P A C K R A T O U T D O O R C E N T E R outdoorinsightmag.com 32 • Outdoor Insight • May 2019