Maine Bound upgrades, expands rental equipment in time for winter season

Spending time outdoors in Maine is more accessible than ever before thanks to a new grant that replenished and expanded the rental library for students, youth and the public at Maine Bound Adventure Center.

Awarded to the Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Institute, the grant — valued at $70,000 — enabled the purchase of new youth and adult skis, snowshoes, canoes, youth and adult kayaks, sleeping bags, backpacks, camping gear, wetsuits and cold-water paddling equipment.  

“Thanks to this project, we are now able to offer students and community members access to a wider range of outdoor equipment across multiple seasons,” said Beth Jackson, assistant director of Maine Bound. “We’re especially excited to expand our inventory of kids’ equipment.” 

The project also strengthened collaboration between Maine Bound and the THOR Institute, a network of faculty from across all University of Maine System universities dedicated to expanding outdoor access and strengthening Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. 

Read the full release on the System website.