Set back from the street and nestled catty-corner to Dewey Hall, there’s a forest green, white-trimmed house that stands short and stout. Maybe you’ve passed it a glance as you skipped down the University Green sidewalk towards where Colchester meets Prospect, and Prospect meets Pearl. Or maybe you’ve been inside it – maybe you’re familiar with the building’s magic. Or maybe you’ve never even noticed it at all. At any rate, 8 Colchester Ave (known belovedly as Basecamp) is a cornerstone of campus. It’s an invaluable resource, and pretty darn underrated, too.
Basecamp is open 10am-3pm Monday-Friday, as well as 8am-11am and 3:30pm-6:30pm Saturday & Sunday. You’ll note its operation status as indicated on the hand-painted semi-circular slab of wood to the right of its front door (it flips from OPEN to CLOSED). It’s the place to find all-season backcountry travel gear rentals at college-attendee-friendly prices, as well as map and guidebook resources – and it’s staffed by a team of students who are ready to lend a helping hand to all.
Basecamp is home to several student clubs and campus groups—from Telemark Skiing Club to Chicks on Sticks, Kayak Club to Summit Sisters, or Outing Club to POCO (People of Color Outdoors)—but it’s not only available to clubs; it’s open to all! Not only is Basecamp a resource for the entire student body, but each and every student (whether they know it or not) already has a foot in its door. As UVM’s largest group, Outing Club is comprised of every single (and yes, I mean every single) UVM student. As an attendee of this college, you’re automatically a member. Consider putting that on your resume. This isn’t just some faulty glitch—it’s rooted in intention. Basecamp, Outing Club, and the greater UVM Outdoor Programs are driven by the goal of making outdoor activity more accessible and available to all.
And that’s precisely the purpose that Basecamp serves! Its rental system is an immense asset to getting outside as a UVM student, and we’re here to spread the word. Check it out:
From your basics (hiking boots, daypacks/backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, etc.), to rain and snow gear, to camp stoves and cookware, to items that are niche but essential (bear bins, microspikes, snowshoes, etc.)—if you need it, there’s a probable chance Basecamp’s got it. And for an affordable price, too. Not to be slept on is their XC-Ski Package (Skis, Poles, Boots) for $10-$15 a pop!
Note that rental prices vary based on their duration (day vs weekend). It is issued on a first come, first serve basis, and the way to reserve gear is always in person! Plus, they have maps, compasses, and other navigational resources there to help you plot your next adventure, too.
Basecamp’s not just where you get the gear, it’s also where you meet the people. Beyond the lovely, wonderful, helpful student staff, Basecamp (as home to Outdoor Program clubs) is where these clubs gather for meetings, social events, and perhaps most important of all, trips out! Be sure to check out each club’s social media (as hyperlinked earlier in the blog) for more info on how to get involved in the groups and sign up for trips, too.
From its welcoming little front office space to its multifunctional kitchen, from its gear room to its gear cellar, all the way up to its whimsical, magical attic (with a climbing wall ceiling and a bench made out of snowboards), UVM’s Basecamp is the place to be. It’s got gear, good people, and a whole lotta character. And, most notably, it’s open to all.
As a graduate of the Outing Club’s BEARS and WILD programs, to a leader of OC weekend trips and BEARS, my experience with Basecamp has been nothing short of spectacular. When I’m not doing OC-related things there, you can find me renting a Whisper-lite stove and Aquamira for personal endeavors (I’m not buying all that!). I urge you to check it out! Hope to see you there.
