Donate gear (climbing, + backpacking) for at-risk teens

Original post: Hi all, I coordinate an Experiential Education program for at-risk teens and this summer we are hoping to add Rock Climbing (if covid regulations allow). We have a handful of smaller climbing shoes and two harnesses, but are in need of more equipment sized for high schoolers plus extra belay devices.

Via PM I am happy to share more about the program and nonprofit I work for. We can help cover some shipping costs, but donation based is ideal, and can provide in-kind receipts for tax write-offs.

Thank you in advance to anyone who gives, or shares this with someone who can.

Update 11/21/20: Thank you again to everyone who donated gear last Spring! The summer climbing program, albeit sporadic due to covid, was a huge success!! 4 of the youth we introduced to the sport have purchased their own gear and show a passion to continue with it into adulthood.

This success has opened a partnership with the local gym to facilitate a weekly program starting in January (if covid allows). We're excited to offer this consistent climbing opportunity, and additional gear will help us provide it to more youth. I've inventoried everything and below is an updated list of what we're lacking.

Update 2/27/21: Thank you all for supporting this program! I'm excited to share we are having weekly climbing groups and positively impacting many youths' lives. Here are the current gaps in our inventory:

• Shoes -- missing these sizes: 34, 35.5, 38-39.5, 42, 45+; and can use more: 37-45 (US 5-12)
• Harness -- missing youth sizes (ages 12 and under); can use more adult sizes (some of what we have is old or tattered) 

Brief update 3/26/21: We are working to put together a backpacking program this summer and need gear to equip the youth. We are most in need of lightweight sleeping bags and tents, and a dehydrator, but let me know if you have anything else that could be of use. I'll get a more specific list together soon.

Update 5/30/21: I have a very exciting development to share, which has come to fruition in part due to all the community support we've received -- we worked out with the local school district to offer elective credit recovery for students who participate in rock climbing and backpacking!! That's right, high school credit for outdoor adventure! And we've partnered with a local retailer for tents, bags, and pads. This tribe is making a huge impact with these youth! 

Here's the gear we are currently in need of to support these programs:

• Jackets - puffy, fleece, and rain of all sizes
• Headlamps and a camp lantern
• 2 large stoves and pots for group cooking
• Gravity filter water filtration - Platy is best to match what we have
• Hiking socks, Lightweight gloves, and other hiking apparel - lightly used or like new
• Camp pillows, sitting pads, chairs, other camp comforts
• Harnesses of all sizes - in good condition to replace the tattered ones we're currently using

Thank you to anyone considering donating!! Have a wonderful Summer and stay healthy! cheers, Andy

Andy - I can send you some belay plates - PM me your mailing address.  These are conventional devices - not Gri Gris etc.  I'll look and see what extra shoes we might have also.

Chris Rice wrote: Andy - I can send you some belay plates - PM me your mailing address.  These are conventional devices - not Gri Gris etc.  I'll look and see what extra shoes we might have also.

Thank you Chris!! PM sent. Have a great day!

I have a pair of size 40.5 Maestros, 37.5 Tarantulaces and 2 older ATCs that are collecting dust. Feel free to PM me your address if you would like them. 

Donny Knight wrote: I have a pair of size 40.5 Maestros, 37.5 Tarantulaces and 2 older ATCs that are collecting dust. Feel free to PM me your address if you would like them. 

PM sent. Thank you so much, Donny!!

Hi Andy,

If you want to post or PM me with the address you want things sent to, I have some shoes and other stuff I can send your way eventually.

Troy

Hi Andy.  I have some shoes and other gear to donate.  Please send me your address.

Hey man, sounds like a great program. I have two harnesses, 3-4 pairs of used men’s shoes, and likely some other gear you guys could out to use. 

Andy W wrote: Hi all, I coordinate an Experiential Education program for at-risk teens and this summer we are hoping to add Rock Climbing (if covid regulations allow). We have a handful of smaller climbing shoes and two youth harnesses, but are in need of more equipment sized for high schoolers plus extra belay devices.

Via PM I am happy to share more about the program and nonprofit I work for. We can help cover some shipping costs, but donation based is ideal. We can provide in-kind receipts for tax write-off.

Thank you in advance to anyone who gives, or shares this with someone who can. Stay healthy! cheers, Andy

There should be a shoe donation program for youth sizes. Kids grow out of shoes before they ever get completely trashed. Itd be great too if shoe companies could get on board and donate rubber for resoling.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE!!! Replies sent. Thank you Marty, Chris, Donny, Dan, Troy, Mack, Matt, Kyle, Jared, James, QG, Alex, & Harry for reaching out and offering such generosity and kindness. This gear will help make a big impact on these youth!

For now, we're going to hold off on accepting more so all this can be inventoried and I can be more specific on what gear we need. Thank you again climbing community for showing these kids the goodness of humanity!

Original post updated. Looking for some more donations for a weekly youth program starting in January. Thank you for all your kindness!

Hey Andy. I have 2 pairs of shoes and a harness I can send. Send me an address and I'll make it happen. 

Justin Marker wrote:

Hey Andy. I have 2 pairs of shoes and a harness I can send. Send me an address and I'll make it happen. 

PM sent. Thank you so much Justin!!

I have a used pair of size 40 (Women's 8) Hiangles. If that would be useful, let me know where to send them!

Replies sent to everyone. THANK YOU greatly Justin, Dan, Michelle, & Tatum!!! This community is amazing and heart warming.

THANK YOU to Kevin & Ron!! And this whole community for showing generosity and kindness.

Thank you again to everyone who's donated! It contributed to 12 awesome climbing trips in 2020, positively impacting 11 youth (photo below from our first trip outside). 

And due to a successful first year, in 2021 we have funding to do weekly climbing groups -- it's already our second most popular program!! If you're looking to pass on some gently used gear to this cause, we are looking for a bit more gear to fill the gaps, listed above in the op. 

Cheers and climb on!

Andy, I have some brand new La Sportiva Tarantulaces (size 43) for you.

If you want, there's a few items not on your wish list, too: a used-but-safe large BD Momentum harness and some need-resole-plus-rand La Sportiva Nagos (size 41) and 5.10 Rogues (size 42). The shoes really aren't worth it unless you can get the resoles donated.

Hey MP, bump for the need of some big shoes! 44 and up. We have 3 youth currently in the program who need this size.

Let me know if you have anything. Everyone's support is super appreciated!

I have several size 46 climbing shoes, harnesses, etc. What's your address.

I have a couple pair of size 12 and 45 shoes that would work for you.   PM me if interested.