TEMPE, Ariz. -
If you believe the Mayan calendar, then the end of the world is just a few weeks away. And we found a valley store that's offering classes to prepare people for doomsday.
Some people believe the Mayans have it right. Their concern is growing as we near the so-called end of the world.
To help them out -- REI is offering a couple of apocalypse "how to" classes.
Is the end of the world near? Many people don't want to be caught off guard if it is.
The show "National Geographic's Doomsday Preppers" shows just how common the idea is.
People are prepping for an apocalypse predicted by an ancient culture thousands of years ago.
The end of the world is scheduled for December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan calendar which stops on that date.
"We have customers come in and ask ‘I want to put an apocalypse kit together, we know that the world is coming to an end,'" says Joe Impecoven, REI.
Joe Impecoven says customers regularly buy survival products in case of an Armageddon.
The Paradise Valley and Tempe REIs will soon offer a Mayan apocalypse class.
"Personally I don't [believe in it], but some people do and we take them seriously," says Impecoven.
It will be a "how to class" on survival -- should the world end.
We're about three weeks away from the supposed Mayan apocalypse. A first aid backpack is one of the top sellers. But it only includes enough supplies to last two people for two days.
"Conditioner, shampoo, emergency whistle... little bit of everything. A lot of water in here too."
The class will teach 10 must-have things for apocalypse survival, like dehydrated food.
"Bunch of different flavors. Beef stroganoff's pretty good. But there's a ton of different stuff, water filter is a big big essential. Emergency radios and solar equipment are two popular items."
Classes are offered twice in December. We asked employees, what happens if doomsday doesn't happen? Will they expect a lot of returns?
They say probably not. Anyone concerned over the Mayan apocalypse will likely hold onto the survival items just in case we face another.
Tempe Mayan preparedness class: www.rei.com/event/46830/session/61960
Paradise Valley Mayan preparedness class: www.rei.com/event/46831/session/61961
