Donate Gear to Help Us Equip Young Leaders for the Great Outdoors
At Outdoor Life Leadership, we are on a mission to empower young people by teaching them essential survival skills through outdoor programs that connect them to the natural world. Our programs provide opportunities to learn new skills, from basic survival skills like fire starting and shelter building to wilderness survival training and disaster preparedness. These hands-on experiences help young men grow into confident, self-reliant leaders, ready to face life’s challenges with resilience and knowledge.
​
One of the ways you can make a lasting impact is by helping us gear donate. Your generous donation of outdoor gear—whether it’s hiking boots, camping equipment, or any other gear—helps ensure that all the young men in our programs have the tools they need to thrive in the great outdoors and build life-changing skills.
​
In this page, we’ll explain how gear donate works, what items we accept, and how your donation can make a real difference in helping young people grow, learn, and stay safe in the wilderness.
Why Gear Donate ?
Outdoor Life Leadership is dedicated to providing survival skills for kids in an environment where they can learn by doing. Our programs immerse young men in wilderness survival scenarios, where they will need to use the skills they’ve learned to stay safe, find a water source, identify edible plants, and navigate a variety of challenges. In order for our participants to succeed in these activities, they need the right outdoor gear. Gear donate helps provide them with the necessary equipment so that they can fully engage in these life-changing activities.
​
Donating your unused or gently used outdoor gear supports our mission and provides us with the tools to teach survival skills for kids that will last a lifetime. Whether you have hiking boots that no longer fit, a camping tent gathering dust, or survival kits that could use a new home, your contribution goes directly to helping young men gain the survival skills they need for success.
What Gear Can You Donate?
We accept a wide range of outdoor gear for all types of outdoor activities, from camping and hiking to survival training. Below are some of the most needed items:
​
-
Camping Equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camping stoves, and cookware.
​
-
Hiking Boots: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots in various sizes. These are essential for our outdoor training programs, where young men need durable footwear to navigate rugged terrain.
​
-
Backpacks and Daypacks: Backpacks for carrying gear during day hikes or multi-day survival challenges.
​
-
Clothing: Weather-resistant jackets, thermal layers, gloves, and hats suitable for outdoor conditions.
​
-
Survival Kits: First aid kits, multi-tools, compasses, fire-starting tools, and other emergency preparedness items.
​
-
Water Filters and Hydration Packs: These are crucial for teaching young men how to safely drink from natural water sources.
​​
-
Fishing Gear: Items like rods, reels, and tackle can help teach young men about foraging for food and surviving in the wilderness.
​
Donating gear not only equips participants with the tools they need to learn survival skills but also helps them build confidence as they learn how to use and maintain these essential items. Your contribution enables us to teach your child or a young man the skills they need to survive in the wild, stay safe, and overcome any survival situation they may encounter.
How Your Gear Donation Makes a Difference
Your donation of gear does more than just provide equipment—it empowers young men with the resources to succeed in their outdoor programs and gain invaluable life skills. Here’s how your contribution
makes a tangible impact:
​
Hands-On Learning: Young men need to engage with survival skills for kids in a real-world setting to truly understand them. Your gear donate helps provide them with the equipment they need for activities like camping, hiking, and fire building. Without the proper gear, they cannot fully immerse themselves in these learning experiences.
​
Building Confidence: When young men have the right gear, they feel more prepared to face the challenges of outdoor adventures. Whether it’s knowing they have a water filter to stay hydrated or a sturdy pair of hiking boots to protect their feet, your gear donation boosts their confidence and encourages them to step outside their comfort zones.
​
Safety and Survival: One of the most important aspects of wilderness survival is staying safe. With the proper gear, young men can be confident that they have the tools they need to navigate challenges, find water sources, identify edible plants, and survive in various environments.
By donating your gently used gear, you’re directly contributing to their safety and well-being during these programs.
​
Teachable Moments: Teaching survival skills involves more than just theory; it’s about practicing those skills in real-life scenarios. Your gear donations enable us to set up survival situations where young men learn how to use the gear effectively and understand the importance of proper preparation. This experience helps them internalize the lessons, which they can carry with them throughout life.
​
Building a Path to Leadership: Many of our programs focus on developing leadership skills. By donating your gear, you help provide young men with the tools they need to step into leadership roles during group activities, such as leading a team on a survival challenge or organizing a camp setup. Gear donate allows us to set up these leadership opportunities, where participants can gain valuable experience.
How To
Donate Gear
It’s easy to gear donate and support our mission. Here’s how it works:
​
-
Gather Your Gear: Look through your collection of outdoor equipment and choose items that are gently used or in good working condition. We accept a wide range of gear, from hiking boots to camping tents to survival kits.
​​
-
Complete the Donation Form: On our website, you’ll find a simple donation form where you can list the items you’re donating. This helps us track the donations and ensure that everything is appropriately distributed.
​​
-
Shipping Your Gear: After completing the form, you’ll receive a shipping label that you can use to send your gear to us at no cost. We’ll provide clear instructions on how to package and ship your gear, making the process as easy as possible.
​​
-
Gear Fix (if needed): If your donated gear needs some minor repairs, we’ll ensure it’s properly maintained and fixed before it’s sent to our programs. Whether it’s fixing a tear in a tent or replacing a zipper on a jacket, we want to ensure everything is in top shape for our participants.
​​
-
Receive a Tax-Deductible Receipt: As a registered nonprofit, your donation may be tax-deductible. After your gear donate has been received, we’ll send you a receipt for your records.
What Happens to the Donated Gear?
Once your gear donate reaches us, it goes directly into the hands of the young men who need it most. Here’s what happens next:
-
Distributed to Program Participants: The donated gear is used in our outdoor programs to equip young men with the tools they need for activities like camping, hiking, and survival training. Whether they’re learning how to find a water source or identifying edible plants, they’ll use this gear in real-world situations.
​
-
Enhances Survival Training: Your donated gear plays a crucial role in helping young men develop the survival skills they’ll need to handle any survival situation. From learning to build a shelter to practicing wilderness first aid, having the proper equipment ensures that they have the resources they need to thrive.
​​
-
Inspiring Confidence and Resilience: Having the right gear gives young people the confidence to push themselves further. They know that with the proper tools, they can overcome challenges and take on leadership roles within their groups.
​
Why Gear Donations Matter
At Outdoor Life Leadership, we are committed to providing young men with the resources they need to grow, learn, and lead. Your gear donate supports our vision of creating a world where every young man has the opportunity to develop the survival skills necessary to navigate the world around him. Through your generous contributions, we’re able to provide life-changing experiences that teach survival skills for kids, foster leadership, and build a pathway to a self-sufficient future.
We thank you for considering donating your outdoor gear and making a lasting impact on the lives of young men who are learning to thrive in the great outdoors. Together, we can help prepare the next generation of leaders, adventurers, and problem-solvers.
​
Donate today, and be part of a movement that empowers young men to succeed in the wild and in life.