Are they worth a damn?

I've been thinking about taking their orienteering class for a while, so I'm tagging this.

It depends on which REI.  I've been to a couple of classes that were very introductory at the local REI and very comprehensive at a out of town REI.  The classes used to be free for members but I believe they are charging for some classes now.

Some of the classes are now $60-$80.   Which I think is horseshit.  There is a basic outdoors class that is held at a local park.  Really?  You are gonna charge $60 to tell me how to wear my backpack or which jacket is good for light rain?

 

I took some ice climbing lessons from EMS and the instructor was a dumbass and unsafe.

I took a rock climbing class from them in North Conway back when their instructors were legendary climbers.  I had three days with Jimmy Dunn, the first guy to solo El Capitan.  Now I hear that most of the instructors are just dork gearheads.
 

This was back in the early 90s also at north conway.

I took 1 on 1 ice climbing lessons. First day out was on a 150 foot slab at about 45 degrees to practice some moves. I wanted to be roped, instructor said not necessary.

I had been on snow 2 days in the Sierra and a friend had showed me how to self arrest before we started climbing and I practiced a few times on a snow field.

about 2 hours into the lesson, I slipped. Fell head first on my back headed toward the 3 foot level patch 120 feet below me that then transitioned to a 40 foot vertical drop. I was able to turn over, keep my feet off the ice and plant an axe in the ice to turn around and then dug for all I was worth. I came to a stop with most of  my body hanging over the 40 foot vertical drop and my axe 6 inches prior to  the vertical drop. I looked up at the instructor and he was speechless and the blood had drained from his face. I looked at him and said " I'lll bet you were wishing we had roped up huh?". He had to lower  another axe to me so I could climb back up off the vertical drop

After that we roped up and I moved on in the next few days to vertical water falls and loved it.

I do not remember the instructors name.

Went to a REI class on knot tying while I was getting into rappelling...the instructor was not at all impressive. I knew all the few knots he shared with the class of four people. Don't waste your $'s unless you know the instructor is a good one.

Used to be free for members now you just get a discount, and a paltry $20 discount at that. Have you checked with some of the ranger stations in parks near you? They sometimes offer things of this nature.