KENNEWICK, Wash. — The Kennewick REI plans to celebrate women and the outdoors at its second annual Diva Night, which runs 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17.

If the diva that I am related to by marriage wasn't working outdoors in Cascades this week, she'd be all over this event.

REI and other outfitters say one of the biggest barriers to women's outdoor involvement is not knowing who to go with, where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. That confidence comes with experience, regardless of your sex.

Diva Night, according to Kennewick REI outreach specialist Heather Bendickson, will provide help on topics ranging from health and wellness to camp cooking, backpacking and climbing. There also will be product vendors and community partners on site to talk to women individually in an expo-like setting throughout the store.

Bendickson said the vendors include Sea to Summit, Vibram FiveFingers, Atlas Snowshoes, Ahnu Footwear, Oboz Footwear, Powerbar, Gregory backpacks and Adventure Medical Kits attending. Raffle prizes were donated by NorthFace, Columbia Sportswear, Moving Comfort, Clif, Keen footwear and Nikwax.

"We are also extremely excited by the number of community partners that have already agreed to participate," Bendickson wrote.

The list features Friends of Badger Mountain, Tapteal Greenway, City of Richland, Tri City Court Club, TheRockClimbingGuide.com (free climbing raffle), Meadow Hills Veterinary Center (pet first aid tips and advice), Central Washington Search and Rescue, Fun Fit and Over Fifty, InterMountain Alpine Club, Team in Training and race directors for Tri Cities Half Marathon, the Monster Mash and the Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k.

Women may register for free at www.rei.com/kennewick. Anyone who attends will be entered for drawing prizes.

The store is at 129 N. Ely St., Kennewick.