Gearing Up with Philly Gear Library

For as long as she can remember, Robin Roberts has loved the outdoors. When not working as a physical therapist in Philadelphia, she leads countless trips for friends, family and community members to explore national parks around the country.

Outdoor activities such as camping and backpacking can offer life-changing experiences, but the cost of equipment often creates a significant barrier. The expenses quickly add up: a backpack alone can cost around $350, a tent $300, a sleeping bag $240, a sleeping pad $200, a canister stove $190 and a water filter $50. For a single overnight backpacking trip, the total cost can exceed $1,300. This financial burden can deter many from exploring the great outdoors.

A recent Outdoor Foundation survey found that 29% of respondents listed cost as one of their biggest barriers to getting outside. Growing up in Iowa, Roberts remembers that affordable camping gear and the knowledge of how to use it were critical for her family to enjoy time outdoors. These early experiences instilled in her a love for nature and a commitment to advocating not only for the protection of national parks but making access to them more equitable.

That’s why Roberts, with the support of the Outdoors Empowered Network, NPCA and several gear companies, has launched the Philly Gear Library, a new initiative that breaks down the barriers to outdoor activities, making parks more accessible to all.

The Philly Gear Library loans out high-quality gear at a fraction of the cost and offers the training and support needed to use it effectively. “We are working on the actual barriers that keep people away — like fear, addressing historical and current trauma, knowledge and opportunity gaps, and lack of appropriate gear,” Roberts said.

Her passion for making the outdoors accessible to everyone is deeply personal. As a child, Roberts’ mom would check out tents from the Iowa State University Armory so she could camp overnight in a field near the university’s dorms with her sister. She recognizes the joy and healing that come from being in nature — and that many communities of color that could benefit from nature adventures are absent from parks, due to the cost of gear. Creating a resource like the Philly Gear Library has also made it possible for her to backpack with her son.

To accompany the library’s equipment, she has developed suggested itineraries and planned trips to parks in the greater Philadelphia area — and worked with NPCA to organize an overnight backpacking trip to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

This adventure last spring was a testament to the power of preparation, community and the right equipment. For many of the dozen or so participants, this was their first backpacking experience. Months of preparation, including a six-mile scout hike by the leaders, mandatory backpacking orientation meetings, and a pre-trip “shakedown” so everyone had the appropriate gear, culminated in a successful and unforgettable adventure.

Participants tackled a challenging uphill hike along the Appalachian Trail, reaching their campsite after a strenuous but rewarding climb. The campsite along Kittatinny Ridge within Delaware Water Gap was well-resourced and maintained, and it became a temporary home where participants learned new skills and bonded with each other. The group shared meals, breathtaking sunsets and even the occasional visit from deer.

Through this shared sense of community in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, participants helped each other, and a new group of seasoned backpackers emerged, eager to plan future trips and continue exploring national parks.

As Roberts noted, “It is an incredible feeling when you head back to your car after a backpacking trip, knowing all the work you did and the joy you feel. It’s magical to exist in a better balance with nature.”

Afterward, one participant said, “Having access to gear allowed my son to join this trip and experience something new. Without this resource, we would either buy equipment that would likely be seldom used, or he would have to miss out on something he genuinely wanted to do.”

The Delaware River has nine national park units, which offer many recreational opportunities within the Greater Philadelphia region — and NPCA is leading efforts to ensure that all visitors encounter spaces that are accessible, welcoming and safe.

Creating a new generation of park advocates starts with leaders like Roberts and new initiatives, such as the Philly Gear Library, which democratize access to nature. While showing photos from one of her recent outdoor adventures, she reminds everyone that, “You belong here … national parks are for all of us.”

Want to rent equipment?

Philly Gear Library is based in Philadelphia. Learn more about the initiative and how to check out equipment on their website.

Planning a visit to a national park along the Delaware River?

Know before you go! Visit NPCA’s guide to the region’s parks and recreational opportunities, and find trip tips in both English and Spanish.