Photo by Jennifer Coombes

The new 1,500-square-foot annex at CC’s Outdoor Education Center, made possible through a gift from recent CC chair of the Board of Trustees Eben Moulton ’68, aims to increase accessibility and convenience by bringing all gear and outdoor resources together under one (solar-paneled) roof. From renting a daypack, kayak, or snowshoes, to advice on following maps, winter-weather layering, or meal preparation, the new space on the north side of the Outdoor Education Center, 931 N. Nevada Ave., less than a block away from the new East Campus Housing Community, is the place to go for all outdoor-related resources. Open to students, faculty, and staff, the annex solves the former problem of having gear and rentals stored in various locations across campus.

“We’re striving to decrease the barriers to participate in the outdoors, and make it as accessible as possible to everyone,” says Outdoor Education Specialist Rachael Abler.

The annex also offers space for ski and bike repairs, pre-trip planning meetings, and outdoor-related films. “We offer the four R’s: rentals, resources, repairs, and retail,” says Abler. The annex also sells consumable items such as camping utensils and water bottles at discounted rates. Another benefit: The annex doors open wide to adjacent Autrey Field, allowing plenty of space for those who want to practice setting up tents or testing stoves.