By now most schools are back in session. The kids are settled into a routine, and you can take a deep breath and relax to the sound of…nothing. Yes, you have a few hours of solitude before your day evolves into the after-school mayhem of sports, dance lessons, band practice, and theater.
The fun really begins with the multitude of phone calls asking you to be a volunteer for your child’s activity of choice. Whatever that is, you can be sure that it will be more work and more trouble than shopping on Black Friday. Keep in mind, that many school districts don’t have a permanent space designated to store the items that are used for these activities. Whatever you volunteer for will probably involve storing equipment, uniforms, costumes, or strange things that you can’t identify. As an added bonus, you’ll also have to locate a place to store the paraphernalia used at fund-raising events for these activities.
Don’t even think about keeping this stuff in your garage, basement, or spare room. Remember, you’re not only storing these items; you’re responsible for their safety and maintenance. Temperature fluctuations and humidity can cause damage, not to mention the inconvenience of trying to keep track of items stored in several different places. You need a convenient, secure, affordable facility for these items, and we can help. You’re going to need self-storage.
Storage Tips for School Organizations
Band
The most important items that you’ll store for band are, of course, musical instruments. These instruments take a different level of care that means extra work and maintenance, especially if they have to be stored for a short period of time during the hot, humid summer months. The students can help with their own instruments, but in the end, you’ll be the responsible party. These instruments can be severely damaged by fluctuating temperatures and humidity, so climate-controlled storage is not an option. To read more about how to best maintain expensive instruments in storage check out Why Climate-Controlled Storage is a Must for Musical Instruments.
Sports
Sports equipment can be anything from football shoulder pads to cheer leading uniforms and pom poms, to hockey and soccer nets. These items have to be well-maintained and properly stored in the off season to prevent deterioration. A climate-controlled space will keep everything in top condition. Most facilities lease on a month-to-month basis so you won’t have to commit to long-term storage.
Theater
High school theater departments need storage for costumes, lighting, props, scenery, and sound equipment. Storage units have to be easily accessible, secure, clean and affordable. As with sports and band organizations, climate-controlled storage is the solution for this type of equipment. Fabric costumes are sensitive to mildew, and lighting and sound equipment are sensitive to temperature and humidity levels. These items should be in a temperature-controlled environment to prevent physical damage and deterioration. Props and scenery are sometimes oversized and need extra space. Look for units with high ceilings and extra large doors.
Fundraising Organizations
These organizations all need funding, and some of the best ways to get this funding are casino nights and carnivals. Again, this presents the need for storage. Casino nights involve roulette wheels, gaming tables, and all the smaller items that go along with these things. Carnival games can be large and cumbersome, necessitating the need for spacious units. Look for security features like digital video monitoring, electronic gates, keypad access, and perimeter fencing. You don’t want to spend money to replace items that are going to make money.
It will take some time and effort to find the right facility and get your items into storage. But, ultimately, you’ll be so glad that all of your items are organized in one place.
