A Place for Affordable Outdoor Gear

James Rada, Jr. The cost for camping gear for a Girl Scout or Boy Scout can add up quickly and be used only occasionally. Hillary Rothrock knows this because she has two daughters who are Girl Scouts. Making enjoying the outdoors affordable is one of the reasons that she and her husband, Paul, opened J. Rothrock Outfitters in October. “I want to make it affordable for individual scouts to go camping,” Hillary said. The new store at 3 E. Main Street in Thurmont includes a mix of new and used items, and is still filling up as items are added on consignment. Although the store has been open since this past Colorfest weekend, the grand opening is planned for November 18. “We go through all of the used gear and make sure that it is in good condition before we put it on the shelves,” explained Hillary, adding, “We don’t want an unsatisfied customer. Besides camping, hiking, and backpacking gear, Rothrock plans on adding items for skiers, fishermen, and bicyclists. For instance, Hillary has a friend who ties flies, and Rothrock Outfitters will be offering them for sale in the store. In the near future, she plans to design one area of the store to look like a cabin. It will serve as the setting for a streaming program of informative videos. Guest speakers will visit the store weekly and give short talks on a topic that will then be streamed on the Internet. Rothrock’s will also have a bargain bin for deeply discounted items and a geocache for geocachers to find. She is even looking into trailside pick-up for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Rothrock’s also makes getting gear convenient, since the closest store for Girl Scout items is in Germantown, and the closest Boy Scout store is in Frederick. Hillary’s family loves the outdoors, and she wants other people to love it just as much. Creating J. Rothrock Outfitters gives her a way to help people do just that. Winter hours for J. Rothrock Outfitters are: Thursday, Sunday, and Monday—12:00-6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday—9:00 a.m.-6 p.m.   Hillary Rothrock (pictured) and husband, Paul, opened J. Rothrock Outfitters in Thurmont in October.