Colorado State University’s Recreation Center is where many students go before or after class to workout with friends, take classes, go swimming, go rock climbing or to play some basketball. It is a good place to connect with friends, relieve stress and get the body feeling better. But the rec center offers more than just a place to work out. The Outdoor Program, located in the rec center, offers many different rental items for students who hold a recreation and outdoor rental membership. There are several different categories of what is offered:

Backpacking and Camping Gear

Warmer weather is coming and heading out into the wilderness for some camping is on many people’s minds. Look into renting from the rec center instead of buying gear, especially if you only plan to use it a few times. The rec has backpacks, two or four-person tents, two types of sleeping bags, bear-proof canisters and even hammocks to check out. They will provide you with essential gear so it is easy to save money and storage space.

Climbing Gear

Maybe climbing mountains and working on new skills sounds like more fun. The rec can help with preparations for a climbing adventure by allowing checkouts of climbing shoes, ice picks, climbing helmets, crampons to strap onto shoes and crash pads. You can also rent shoes to use in at the rec center on their climbing wall. Climbing gear can get expensive, so renting might be the way to go.

Winter Gear

The rec can also help you to prepare for winter activities and emergencies. It is important to always be prepared when engaging in potentially dangerous outdoor activities, and the rec will provide you with the gear to stay safe. Avalanches never give warnings, so the rec center has put together a collection of items that are available for students to rent. These items include snowshoes, avalanche shovels, avalanche probes, trekking poles, microspikes and an avalanche beacon. On the rec center’s website, they strongly recommend students wishing to rent avalanche gear receive training prior to going out into a potentially dangerous situation.

There are a couple of terms and conditions when it comes to renting outdoor gear from the rec. Student renters are held responsible for all items rented and must pay any late fees, replacement or damage costs and any cleaning fees.

“The employees who work at this part of the rec are very knowledgeable about all of the gear and the different activities that may require you to rent gear,” Brittany Heiring said, the communications manager at the rec center. “You can always check out books on outdoor activities, guides, maps, and other things that you can read here.”

Take advantage of what the rec center has to offer as far as outdoor gear goes. It can help you save money and helps students be properly prepared for adventure.

For more information, visit the CSU rec center page here.