At the end of the 3rd session, Leah told us that learning to climb helped her get over her fear of heights, and Vivienne said she is now more willing to try new things.
 

In a collaboration with Carson Valley Middle School, Pau Wa Lu Middle School, and the Douglas County Community Center, two young women challenged themselves to learn how to climb!

The girls gained skills quickly, and by our 3rd session, both made it to the top of the wall!  I’m in the center in the photo below.  We had a race for who could get to the top first and I lost!

The girls seemed to really enjoy their time learning the safety measures and climbing techniques.  At the end of the 3rd session, Leah told us that learning to climb helped her get over her fear of heights, and Vivienne said she is now more willing to try new things. 

When these girls are not climbing with us or at school, they are very active.  Leah likes to hunt and also works on a farm.  Vivienne plays volleyball, soccer, and basketball.  The girls exchanged phone numbers and plan to meet at the Community Center to climb together over the summer.  Heather and I were very touched by their enthusiasm! 

I am grateful to ICO Trip Leader Shanna Mae Slight for helping me plan this three-week program, to Sierra Club Outings for approving our plan and to the administrators at Carson Valley Middle School and Pau Wa Lu Middle School for recruiting participants. My deepest gratitude to ICO volunteer Heather Jackson, who was my co-instructor and enabled us to give great attention and support to our participants. The Douglas County Community Center staff were very helpful, and the facility worked well.  They reserved the climbing wall for us each time, so we had it to ourselves! We hope to run the program again in the fall.