Chaffee Mobile Gear Library
Outdoor Experiences for All
The Chaffee Mobile Gear Library, a project of GARNA, is committed to improving access to the outdoors for everybody. GARNA is partnering with a coalition of local organizations and the nationally based Outdoors Empowered Network to help outfit youth and adults for outdoor based programming in Chaffee County. The Chaffee Mobile Gear Library is more than just a gear lending program, it is an inclusive and empowering outdoor community. CMGL strives to support disinvested communities, uplift BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, and foster programming that centers around community, skill building, and outdoor empowerment.
By offering a diverse range of outdoor equipment, CMGL aims to break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of background or experience, has the opportunity to engage with nature and discover the transformative power of the outdoors. We believe in the importance of representation, equity, and inclusivity, and actively work to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Activating the Gear Library
In order to support this kind of programmatic gear activation, CMGL is not open to the general public at this time, and is open only organizations serving disempowered or disinvested populations. Coalition and other organizations are encouraged to activate the gear library by simply checking out gear, or through guided programming with a GARNA staff person. The aim is to keep gear costs low for these organizations, but charge a yearly membership fee to provide sustained revenue so that the Gear Library can survive beyond grant funding.
Become a Coalition Partner for the Mobile Gear Library
The Mobile Gear Library is a coalition of local organizations (schools, non-profits, etc) to outfit youth and adults for outdoor-based programming.
Interested in becoming a coalition member? Contact Jake Vasquez at gearlibrary@garna.org
How to Support the Mobile Gear Library
We’re all about the power of cool volunteers, and we appreciate any help you can give us. Wanna lend a hand organizing, inventorying, cleaning, or repairing gear? Shoot us an email at gearlibrary@garna.org, and let’s get this party started.
Got any gear that’s still in primo condition and could use a new home? We gladly accept gently used gear that’s 5 years old or newer. It’ll either go straight into our Gear Library rotation or get sold, with the proceeds fueling our Gear Library awesomeness. Check out our guide to see what we’re currently accepting →
The Chaffee Mobile Gear Library was launched thanks to a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation is bringing health in reach for all Coloradans by engaging closely with communities across the state through investing, policy advocacy, learning and capacity building.
Latest GARNA News
Have you wondered what songbirds live along the river, or how the Arkansas River is managed? Have you considered that while only 2% of our landscape...
In this episode, we sit down at a beaver lodge with local author Ben Goldfarb, and his dog, Kit, to gab about beavers, mule deer, road kill and more!...
The GARNA volunteer chapter, Friends of Fourmile, has recently been working with the BLM and National Forest Foundation to improve management of...
