My Outdoor Colorado

Through generous funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), Denver Parks and Recreation was able to establish a Gear Library which is currently housed in a shipping container in the Westwood neighborhood.  The library has a vast array of outdoor equipment for groups to use free of charge to reduce the barriers to getting outdoors! 

Beginning in the summer of 2020, we will be offering outdoor leadership trainings to community partners, teachers and any adults who work with youth.  These trainings will focus on planning and implementing outdoor trips for youth with a strong focus on risk management and will be open to any adult in the above categories working with youth in Denver.  After successful completion of the training, participants will have access to the gear and trip support.

Check out the MOC Gear Library for all available gear.

View Inventory List (PDF)

Westwood Teacher Snowshoe Request Form (XLSX)

View the My Outdoor Colorado's Gear Library Policies and Procedures (PDF).

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (BGCMD) serves kids from the ages of 6 to 18 during their out of school hours and offers dynamic youth programming. Our Outdoor Adventure Club is a targeted strategy to help advance healthy lifestyles, connect youth to nature, and inspire career paths in the outdoor industry.

 Visit BGCMD.org to learn more.

GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Program) also known as Denver Youth Program (DYP) is a peer-run, intervention program that works with youth who are at-risk of gang involvement or are presently active in gangs, helps families of gang victims, and serves as a youth advocate. GRASP works so well because it is primarily run by ex-gang members who broke free of the gang life-style and turned their lives around. The staff understands how difficult it is to make this transition and the challenges facing youth who do it. Established in 1991 after a tragic ‘drive-by’ shooting death of a teen, GRASP has evolved into a highly respected and successful program of Metro Denver Partners, a non-profit organization, that for over 45 years has helped kids to better futures through one-on-one mentoring.

Learn more about GRASP/DYP.

The Greenway Foundation is a Denver-based non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the South Platte River and its tributaries. It engages the people of Denver through education programs, community events, river enhancement projects, and more. The education arm of the organization, South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE), offers field trips, day camps, family events, and youth leadership and employment opportunities.

The Mission of the Greenway Foundation is to advance the South Platte River and the surrounding tributaries as a unique environmental, recreational, cultural, scientific and historical amenity that uniquely links our City’s past and its future.

This mission will be accomplished by creating ongoing environmental and riparian enhancements; holding property, when needed, in conservation easements; utilizing the River as an outdoor and historical learning resource, hosting free cultural events promoting the relationship between the River and music, art and theatre, providing youth employment opportunities, and by promoting good stewardship through hands-on educational programs.

Learn more about The Greenway Foundation.

Lincoln Hills Cares creates unforgettable Colorado experiences for youth by forming a connection to cultural history, science, technology, art and environmental conservation. The program imparts knowledge, encourages thinking and empowers youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity, due to economic, social or family circumstances. To learn how to get involved, contact gaby@lincolnhillscares.org. In the meantime, visit our website!

Find more information about Lincoln Hills Cares programming.

Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) was founded as Year One, Inc. by Josie Heath in 1992. Rooted in the tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, Year One addressed the employment and educational needs of youth by putting them to work on projects that benefited the community. Primarily focused on conservation and neighborhood improvement, Year One gave youth the chance to earn, learn and serve in their community. In 2000, Year One changed its name to Mile High Youth Corps to better reflect its mission and goals.

During its 25-year history, the Corps has successfully transitioned from a small, seasonal, neighborhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round regional agency serving 15 counties throughout Metropolitan Denver and the Southern Front Range. MHYC programs are nationally recognized while meeting continued local needs. From recent fires; floods mitigation and restoration efforts to building affordable housing units to lowering water and energy usage in over 20,000 homes, MHYC matches the talents and skills of local youth with the needs of our community.

Find more information on Mile High Youth Corps programs.

Our mission is to build wellness for families in communities of need through education, nurturing and physical activity.

ViVe addresses the health equity and wellness needs of many of Colorado’s low-income youth, who face significant health disparities and often lack access to engaging physical activity and health education.

ViVe began in 2015, through partnership with local organizations, and donations secured through grants, and private funding. ViVe promotes public health, leadership, mental health, and social well-being.