SLE Outside Launches Store Venture

SEELEY LAKE – The large, empty building fronting the Bison and Bear Mall is no longer empty. An estimated 100 people filled the building Saturday Oct. 3 to help launch SLE Outside, the new student-run outdoor equipment co-operative.

Though the store does not officially open for business until Nov. 14, some merchandise – skis, bikes, backpacks, clothing from Patagonia and other companies – was already on display and available at 20 percent off to launch-party patrons.

Chris Stout, Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) Superintendent, said some of the merchandise came from Rocky Mountain Adventure Gear (RMAG). RMAG is working closely with SLE Outside. Other store items came from companies with whom SLE Outside has already negotiated agreements.

Stout said, "This is about one-tenth of what we hope to have here by Nov. 14."

Food and entertainment were a part of the launch event. Jack Gladstone sang and played guitar to the accompaniment of a slide show. The Josh Farmer Band played a blend of jazz, funk, rock and soul music. Keynote speaker Doug Peacock read from his books and spoke of his personal need for wild places, especially places where grizzly bears roam.

The main focus of the launch event, however, was on soliciting founding members for the co-op. Stout situated the co-op store project within the framework of two curriculum approaches SLE is already using: 21st Century Learning and the International Baccalaureate Program. Those methodologies emphasize critical thinking and project-based learning.

Stout solicited a round of applause for the core group of junior high school and high school students associated with the store project. He singled out Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) students Gus Batchelder and Ibby Lorentz as being particularly instrumental in getting the store up and running.

Batchelder said, "We're super-excited to be starting this experiment." He went on to detail some of the advantages of membership in the co-op. Members will receive 15 percent discounts on all merchandise. They will receive the same discount on orders of any merchandise from the companies whose lines SLE Outside carries. Turn-around time on orders is expected to be two days. The store will offer bike and ski rentals and members will get rentals free for up to four-day spans.

Stout announced another member perk. The co-op intends to have some members-only custom gear created. As an example, Stout pointed to the store's center display featuring SLE Outside special edition leather tote bags made by Goertzen Adventure Company of Missoula specifically for the launch event.

Attendee Paul Rudd later said of the project, "I think it's pretty impressive that a principal would take the time out of a busy schedule to organize something like this. I don't imagine there are too many schools in the nation that have something like this."

Initially the SLE Outside store will be open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eventually the back portion of the store will have a large conference table and a wall-size map of the Seeley Lake recreation trail system. Stout said he would like to see the space become a place for community meetings on days that the store is not open.

Stout said, "We're not trying to replace any of the rental spaces in town." He thinks of the SLE Outside space as an additional place for groups to meet. Non-profit groups can use the space for free.

The co-op also intends to host movies and other events in the building. The first of these will be "Meru" a documentary featuring Bozeman's Conrad Anker and chronicling the first ascent of the aptly-named Shark Fin route on Meru Peak in the Himalayas. Launch party attendees saw a trailer of the documentary. The film will air as part of the SLE Outside grand opening Nov. 14. On that day the store will close at 5 p.m. and re-open at 6 p.m. Members will be admitted to the showing free. The general public will be charged $5. Once in the store, people can purchase merchandise if they wish.

Jenny Rohrer of Rohrer Film & Video announced that the store space will be used Oct. 29 for a showing of the student-created film "Students in Action." The short film features students from SSHS, SLE and Ovando School and was produced by 2013 SSHS graduate Shelby Holmes.

Missoula County Director of Community and Planning Services Pat O'Herren attended the launch and said, "This is an awesome showing of community spirit and engagement from everyone from elementary students to old people like me."

Batchelder summarized the event, "Awesome! We're really, really happy with the turnout. We think it was a really great way to kick off the co-op."

Batchelder and Lorentz helped sign co-op members. At last count, there were 100 founding members. SLE Outside co-op membership is also available through the school website at sleonline.org.