Free gear library
Warm, dry and free to borrow
Boots, jackets, sleeping bags and snowshoes for any youth aged 11 to 17 in Thunder Bay, for our programs or your own family trip. No deposit and no fee.
What's on the shelves
Everything for a day or a night out
Sizes come and go as things are out on loan. Ask, and we'll tell you what's in.
FeetShelf A
- Hiking bootsyouth 3 to adult 12
- Winter bootsrated to −40 °C, youth 4 to adult 11
- Wool socksnew pairs, yours to keep
- Gaitersone size
LayersShelf B
- Rain shellsXS to XL
- Fleece topsXS to XL
- Winter parkasXS to XL
- Snow pantsXS to XL
- Mitts and toquesyours to keep
SleepShelf C
- Sleeping bags−7 °C summer, −15 °C winter
- Sleeping padsfoam or inflatable
- Two-person tentsfor family trips
- Headlampsbatteries included
Snow and waterShelf D
- Snowshoesyouth and adult
- Trekking polesadjustable
- Paddling jacketsXS to L
- Dry bags10 and 20 L
How borrowing works
Four steps, no paperwork
Ask
Use the form below, call, or drop by the gear room. Tell us sizes and dates.
We pack it
A volunteer puts your bag together and calls or emails you when it's ready, usually within two days.
Pick it up
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 to 7:00 pm, or Saturdays 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. We check the fit with you.
Bring it back
Same hours, by the date we agreed. Running late is fine if you tell us.
How long
Keep it as long as the trip
- One of our program seasonsThe whole season
- A family tripUp to 2 weeks
- A school trip or campUp to 3 weeks
- A parka and boots for every dayNov to Apr
Returning and cleaning
Bring it back as it is
Please do
- Shake out sand and snow.
- Hang wet things to dry before you bring them in.
- Tell us about rips, broken buckles or missing pieces. We'd rather fix it now than find it later.
Please don't
- Wash sleeping bags or rain shells. We clean them with the right soap.
- Dry boots on a heater or by a fire.
- Worry about normal wear. That's what the gear is for.
Request gear
Tell us what you need
We check sizes and call or email you when your bag is packed. Nothing is set aside until you hear from us. Rather talk? Call (555) 555-0158.
