Outdoor Gear Library
Let's face it, dorms are small, space is tight, and outdoor gear is expensive! Even if you own your own gear, it's not always practical to bring it with you to college. The solution? The Outdoor Adventure's gear library! We love the outdoors and we believe that a lack of gear shouldn't be what stands between you and a great sunset with friends.
Borrowing Process
Step 1
Submit the Equipment Rental Request form AT LEAST 2 business days before pickup.
Step 2
OA staff will confirm availability and send an email confirmation OR request for modification.
Step 3
Borrower picks-up/ drops-off equipment at scheduled dates
Frequently Asked Questions
The Outdoor gear library is available to current GVSU students, faculty, & staff.
Unfortunately, graduating seniors are not eligible to check out items at the end of the term they are graduating.
Our inventory focuses primarily on essential backpacking/ camping gear to outfit a group of 10-12 but also contains a few miscellaneous items. Items currently include:
Hike/ Camp
- Backpacks (internal frame, 65L-75L)
- Cooksets (pots/ pans) & foldable flatware (plates/ bowls)
- Hammocks (single & double)
- Headlamps
- Single burner backpacking stoves
- Dual burner camping stoves
- Sleeping bags (0, 20, & 30 deg)
- Sleeping pads (Z-fold type)
- Tents (2, 3, & 4 person)
Climbing
- Crash Pads
- Stick Clip
- Helmets
Harnesses, ropes, and lead protection are not available due to the importance of knowing the use and history of soft-goods.
Winter
- Snowshoes
- Cross Country Skis
Miscellaneous
- Slackline
We are pleased to announce that as of Fall 2023, there will be no rental fees for checking out gear. However, fees may apply for things like late returns or lost/ damaged gear.
Gear is most often setup at our Ravines Center location (see map below). This is also the location of our bike maintenance area where we use a set of secure lockers. It offers convenient parking for up to 15 minutes for pickup & drop off of gear.
NOTE: OA does not regularly staff this building. We rely heavily on the Mail & Package center hours of operation for access to.
Cross country skis and certain climbing items are available at the Climbing Center
When necessary, equipment may be coordinated to be picked up or dropped off at other RecWell locations (e.g. RecWell Office or Climbing Center) in order to accommodate dates/ times when the Mail & Package operation is closed. Please refer to your Reservation Confirmation for this information.
Equipment is available via reservation any time the Mail & Package service is open as OA does not regularly staff the Ravines Center. Generally, this is M-F 9a-6p and Sa 10a-2p. For the most up-to-date hours, please check the Mail & Package website. Equipment may be available outside of these times but require at least 2 business days notice in order to confirm availability and an appropriate pickup location.
The gear library is intended to support short-duration recreational trips or academic excursions representative of opportunities available during the academic year.
During the academic year (Fall/ Winter), reservations are limited to a duration of 2 weeks.
During the Summer, reservations longer than 2 weeks will be considered on a case by case basis. Please email [email protected] to inquire.
Borrower Responsibilities
All borrowers are responsible for:
- Inspecting their equipment before leaving the Ravines Center & documenting issues on the Pickup form.
- Returning their equipment on time.
- Returning each item in the condition it was rented (clean, dry, & free of debris).
- Accepting all risks and responsibility for any and all claims for damages and injuries suffered while using the rented equipment.
Not-So-Hidden Fees
- Repair - Fees for damage deemed to not have been caused by normal use (whether intentional or not) will be assessed for all parts and labor required to fix or replace the item (depending on the extent of the damage).
- Late/ Lost/ Stolen - A fee of $10 may be assessed for equipment not returned on the agreed upon due date. If your trip returns late or you need an extra day to clean/ dry your gear, please email [email protected] to ask about a return date extension. Items not returned after 7 days past the agreed upon return date will be considered lost/ stolen and the borrower will be invoiced for the full cost of the replacement. If the exact item cannot be found or is no longer available on the market, a similar item will be substituted.
- Cleaning - A $10 fee will be assessed for each item that requires cleaning or drying before being returned to storage. Exception: Due to specific laundering requirements, please do not wash or dry the sleeping bags.
Borrowers who experience a wet or muddy adventure are encouraged to email [email protected] if additional time is needed to adequately clean/ dry their gear before returning it. Due to the reservation process, borrowers may be asked to return items at the originally agreed upon date if upcoming reservations require their items.
Priority Use
The OA equipment inventory serves multiple purposes and availability may be affected by the following priority use schedule.
- OA programs and trips
- Academic classes
- General rentals
Impact: Because OA's most prominent trips happen over the longer breaks, gear availability may be extremely limited for things like Spring Break. We will do our best to place holds on gear as early as possible so available items may be reserved for personal trips.
Questions about gear?
If you have questions about specific items or the process, please email Joe Bitely, RecWell Assistant Director. [email protected]