“Climbing is a super fun and fast-growing sport, but also an expensive one,” says Craig Baker, CEO for the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Connecticut.
The Club offers a variety of youth programs for around 1,600 kids in the community, from leadership and career development to fitness, STEM courses, homework help, and art classes.
Last fall, the Club added a new activity to the list: indoor rock climbing.
While Stamford is geographically located less than a two-hour drive to the Gunks–arguably the central hub for outdoor climbing in the region–access to climbing for members of the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford prior to the new climbing wall was all but non-existent. Over 70% of the community around the Boys and Girls Club is categorized as low income. 45% of the Club’s members come from single parent households, and many of those kids spend a large percentage of their time at the Club while waiting for a parent to return home from work.
That’s where 1Climb comes in. The non-profit partners with Boys and Girls Clubs across the US to build climbing walls in local facilities, providing access to climbing for thousands of kids.
“Now, we can expose our youth to the benefits of climbing without cost being a barrier.” — Craig Baker, CEO for the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford
1Climb was founded by professional climber Kevin Jorgeson (yup, that Kevin Jorgeson). Its mission is to introduce 100,000 kids to climbing through a combination of bringing kids to local climbing gyms and building new climbing walls in accessible locations. The organization is well on its way to achieving its goal. At last count, 1Climb has already completed 11 projects around the country, introducing 21,367 kids to climbing.
“Climbing has the potential to change the trajectory of a kid’s life. We are thrilled to bring climbing to the kids of the Stamford Bay Boys and Girls Club.” — Kevin Jorgeson, Professional Climber and 1Climb Founder.
The new climbing wall at the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford is located in the Mary C. Rich Clubhouse, which is open to kids in grades 4-12. In its first year, the addition of the new wall is expected to introduce 500 kids to the sport.
Boys & Girls Club of Stamford Mission Statement
The Mission of Boys & Girls Club of Stamford is to enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. We strive to empower our youth and provide a safe and supportive environment with caring adult professionals and volunteers. We endeavor to achieve our mission by offering facilities, programs, and support systems that assist young people in their academic, social, athletic and cultural pursuits. Our formula for impact focuses on children’s academic success, good character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
You can help support the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford here.
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