SKOWHEGAN, Maine — Main Street Skowhegan opened its new Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp on Thursday, allowing families living in Somerset County to borrow outdoor sports gear like cross-country skis, snowshoes, camping equipment, and more.
Evan Nickless, a kid who lives in Skowhegan, said he enjoys participating in outdoor group sports activities at Skowhegan Outdoors because he gets time to spend time with his friends.
Kadence Fogg said she loves getting active in guided groups and getting the chance to try activities that she has never done before.
But Meaghan Patrick, a mom in the community, said the cost of sports gear is a massive barrier for many families that often stands in the way.
"The gear is so expensive," Patrick said. "The gear is a huge piece that eliminates barriers for families that wouldn't otherwise have access financially."
Kristina Cannon, president and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan, said the opening of Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp downtown will help improve access to outdoor gear and sports. Families like Patrick's, she said, make the work that the nonprofit does to give back to people in the community worthwhile.
"Our sole goal was to really provide free opportunities to get outside to our most undeserved residents," Cannon said. "It's just great to see our local youth be able to take advantage of free opportunities."
Patrick said she appreciated how invested Maine Street Skowhegan is with revamping Skowhegan's outdoor scene. According to Patrick, the team always offers guided instruction to families during scheduled excursions and organized group activities, allowing people to worry less about safety and focus more on enjoying themselves.
"We're always talking about trying to get our youth involved in healthy outdoor activities, and really Skowhegan Outdoors .... put their money where their mouth is," Patrick said.
Maine Street Skowhegan is not working alone. Cannon said the nonprofit is fortunate enough to be largely funded by AmeriCorps service program, and it receives some funding through state foundations that provide grant money.
Cannon said the support she appreciates most are the donations and assistance from other local business owners in the city and throughout the state.
"Revitalizing a town takes a whole community effort," Cannon said. "Without the local business support, without our volunteer support, there would be no Main
Street Skowhegan."
Local businesses like Hight Family of Dealerships donated a pick-up truck to help the nonprofit transport gear to guided group activities.
Dealer principal Sam Hight said his connection to seeing the community thrive runs deep, especially now since he's a father to a 5-year-old girl who also loves getting active outdoors.
"We understand that we are in rural Maine, rural America, and sometimes it takes a little more effort," Hight said. "But we have been able to tackle that. Skowhegan is really an amazing community with a lot of people in it and around it that care, and we all work together."
Anyone who wants to borrow gear but does not live in Somerset County can purchase a one-year membership, which is $50 for individuals and $75 for families.