What

Kindling Collective is a queer-centered gear library creating an accessible pathway to outdoor experiences in Wabanaki Confederacy Territory / Maine. We aim to build community and support people in nurturing and sustaining relationships with the natural world and each other. At Kindling Collective, members can check out the gear they need for camping, hiking, and backpacking adventures. You don’t need to be queer to be a member; you just need to be on board with supporting and affirming queer people’s access to the outdoors. Our guided trips and events are designed by and for queer people. Check out our events calendar here.

Values

Kindling Collective values are ever evolving and are inspired by guiding principals and values statements from a wide range of Black, Indigenous, queer, disabled, and radical role models, visionaries, and activists. Check out our resource list to read more from our favorite teachers and thinkers.

Queer First

While Kindling Collective is for everyone, we are trying to flip the script by centering queer people in the work we do.

Respect Indigenous Sovereignty

We acknowledge that we recreate and live on stolen land. We seek to educate ourselves and our participants and work towards right relationship with the land and Indigenous people of so-called Maine.

Center Justice

We make decisions grounded in collective liberation with an emphasis on racial justice, economic justice, and queerness.

Practice Consent

We practice consent in all areas, asking before touching people, giving advice, and/or taking photos.

Honor Individual Identity

We do not make assumptions about gender, race, ability, skill level, experience, or knowledge.

Move as a Group

We intentionally foster community and care by moving and acting at a pace that is comfortable for the collective—both on trail and in organizational decision making.

Work on All Three Levels

We attend to how power operates individually, interpersonally, and institutionally.

People are a Part of Nature

Nature is all around us—we see ourselves as part of the larger interconnected ecosystem of life on this planet.

All Outdoor Experiences are Valuable

We foster access to outdoor experiences for all people at whatever engagement level is comfortable and meaningful for them.

WHAT