This provides a sense of ownership of the program, and a chance to really value what being a part of it involves. We have also had a couple of local businesses contribute to the program on an annual basis. We are always open to donations of materials, time, and a willingness to put in hours for work projects, transportation, and supervision of activities. We have several canoes, paddles, life jackets, helmets, wetsuits, snowshoes, compasses, some camping gear, and an on-campus low and high ropes course with some equipment to facilitate elements. In a program such as this, the need for equipment is never ending.
Gear is used many times, and maintenance is ongoing.
We spend many hours repairing equipment, as well as building new elements on the ropes course. We just recently had a student design, and several students help build, three new stations on an indoor climbing wall. We can currently outfit 40 people at best for white water, but with the present numbers it will be necessary to do more. If awarded the higher amounts, some would be used for the same purpose, as well as for training and workshops to update our staff, since there is no budget for this and we usually pay for it ourselves or don't attend. The larger amount would be spread out carefully for the previously mentioned expenses, but would mostly be used to help build an off-campus training site.