Enjoying Outside with Tuleyome's Boot Bank!

Kristie Ehrhardt • May 11, 2026

Did you know that Tuleyome has a hiking equipment lending program for kids?! The idea began as a Boy Scout project back in 2016. Tuleyome collaborated with Davis Boy Scout Troop 111 and so began our Boot Bank! 


The Tuleyome Boot Bank is a lending program that provides gently used, high quality hiking boots and other camping equipment to kids up until age 18 for FREE! The program was founded as a way to help solve the financial burden on families who wanted to enjoy the outdoors but simply couldn’t afford to continuously buy good quality, well-fitting hiking boots for little feet that just keep growing. As a mom I understand how hard it is to part with a pair of perfectly functional little hiking boots that never fit long enough to get worn-out, just out-grown. One of Tuleyome’s aspirations is to help families enjoy and explore nature and sharing well-fitting footwear is just one of the ways that we can help do that.


Initially the boots were loaned out of the back of an antique milk truck that was generously donated to Tuleyome, along with operating costs to help encourage the young program, by one of our favorite supporters. The yellow truck, affectionately nick-named “The Wonder Truck” would visit community events filled with boots of various sizes for various sized little feet. But, unlike the boots, the truck began to wear out and unfortunately parts for a 1967 Divco step van were getting harder and harder to come by. We’ve since retired our “Senior” Boot Bank truck and it can be viewed free roaming at the Woodland Regional Park Preserve where it will live in peace surrounded by nature. Our “Junior” Boot Bank is a little more spry and able to travel at freeway speeds so you might see it around town or even visiting the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. 


The program began as a kid’s hiking boot “lending library” but has since grown into a program that now includes gear that is available for short-term loan to participants in Tuleyome events such as backpacking or camping trips or to youth-serving organizations that are hosting outings. The gear library includes tents, sleeping bags, hiking poles, backpacks, headlamps and other camping and hiking equipment. The goal of the program is to encourage youth and their families to experience the pleasure of exploring the outdoors and the recreational opportunities offered by Mother Nature. We are hopeful that by participating in positive hiking and camping experiences that kids and their families will develop a love and respect for nature, conservation and public land enjoyment. 


Thanks to our remarkable volunteers, the boots that Tuleyome loans out are always inspected and freshened up before they are made available for borrowing. Over the years, the collection of boots have been provided through donations by individuals and corporations such as Big 5, REI and Target. 


If the young members of your family are in need of boots or if your organization needs gear for a trip, visit the Tuleyome office at 622 Main Street, Suite 200 in Woodland during our monthly Youth Boot Bank Office Hours, 2:30pm-5:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month. During office hours you will be able to try on several pairs of boots and check them out, return a pair you’ve already borrowed or donate boots to the program. The Boot Bank is open to anyone 18 and under and provides free loans for up to six months; at which point borrowers can renew or trade up for a larger size if necessary. 

*User Agreement: Boot users sign an agreement in which they agree to use the boots only for hiking, outdoor adventures and inclement weather; not for everyday use (the purpose of the Boot Bank is to encourage participation in outdoor recreational opportunities, not to meet basic shoe needs). Users agree to return the boots in good condition except for reasonable wear and tear.

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