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Home Our Work Connecting the Next Generation Outdoor Leadership Training Gear Lending Library

Gear Lending Library

Our gear library allows teachers and youth and family organizations to borrow jackets, rain pants, layers, hats, boots, and packs.

Backpacks hang on the wall at Seattle Gear Library
Backpacks, hiking poles and snowshoes hang on the wall at Seattle Gear Library ready to be checked out. Photo by Teddy Wingo.

Workshop graduates who attend a gear orientation can access the lending libraries in Seattle and Pierce County. 

Educators and youth program facilitators can borrow gear to outfit their outdoor trips. At both locations, fleece jackets, rain pants, layers, boots and backpacks are available to outfit their students or youth. Libraries are also stocked with gear to support overnight trips like tents, stoves, sleeping bags and sleeping pads.

WTA focuses resources on our priority audience with availability to the gear library. Learn more about our priority audience in our FAQ. The gear library is first-come, first-served for gear requests with the following:  

We can accept requests two months out for our priority audience organizations who serve youth who attend schools where 40 percent or more of the students qualify for free or reduced price lunch and/or schools that have a student body with at least 40 percent students of color.

For general partners who do not serve this audience, submit a gear request when you are ready. Expect a confirmation one month before your outing. If you don’t hear from us then or if you have any questions prior, please send us an email for more clarification.

Upcoming gear orientations

Attend a Gear Orientation and an optional Trip Planning Workshop.


Steps to Borrow Free Outdoor Gear for Youth Groups

  • Register and attend an Outdoor Leadership Training workshop
  • Register and attend a gear library orientation
  • Create a myTurn account to submit a gear request (at least two weeks before your preferred pick up date)
  • Receive a myTurn email confirmation of your gear request 
  • Receive Google calendar invites for your pick up and drop off appointments
  • At pick up, confirm the number of items and sign the gear borrowing agreement
  • Get outside and enjoy a fun and safe activity!
  • Clean and dry gear (using methods discussed at gear library orientation)
  • Complete online Youth Outing Report (before gear drop off)
  • Drop off clean gear and identify any damaged or malfunctioning items
  • The items are ready for the next group to use. High fives all around!


Requesting Gear for Your Group

  • Submit your gear request at least two weeks ahead of your trip. 
  • Changes to your gear request should be submitted by email at least 24 hours in advance of a pick up time to the specific gear library coordinator. If items are available, some changes can be made at the time of pick up
  • All requests must be submitted by a trip leader who has participated in a gear orientation
  • The same WTA-trained trip leader who submits the gear request must be present at both the gear pick up and drop off

Picking Up Gear from the Library

  • Arrive at your scheduled location and pick up appointment time 
  • Review the tallies of items checked out and make sure the final numbers are accurately entered in myTurn 
  • Sign a gear borrowing agreement 
  • Receive a copy of the gear reimbursement price list
  • You’ll receive an updated record of the request through myTurn

Prepping Items for Return

  • Clothing: wash and thoroughly dry, use low temperatures and avoid fabric softener or heavily scented detergent 
  • Boots: clean and dry, then tie pairs together
  • Packs: clean, dry and empty all compartments
  • Zippers: zip them up and look for problems
  • Tents: look for problems, clean and empty tents, thoroughly dry and ensure all parts are packed together
  • Sleeping bags & liners: empty and thoroughly dry bags and wash and dry all liners
  • Kitchen kits, stoves, water bottle & animal proof containers: clean and sanitize surfaces and bottles, thoroughly dry items and enclose wet towels and sponges in the provided Ziploc bag
  • Use repair tags to note and date problems

Dropping Off Gear at the Library

  • Submit a Youth Outing Report before drop off or you will have to complete it at that time
  • Arrive at your scheduled drop off time
  • If borrowed, set up tents for inspection, then repack
  • Ensure that everything is clean and dry and report any wet items
  • Report any problematic equipment so we can fix the issue for the next user
  • Make sure the quantities dropped off match the quantities picked up
  • If necessary, receive an invoice for all lost or damaged items

Missing Gear and Damages Policies

  • If gear is lost or damaged, you will be charged a replacement fee. There is a $10 minimum replacement fee for lost or damaged gear. 
  • A 10% processing fee will be added to cover the cost of processing invoices.
  • Partners are responsible for returning gear dry and clean at your scheduled drop off time. Any gear returned wet or significantly dirty will be charged a $150 cleaning fee.