Mentor : “What do you like about yourself?”
18yo: (Thinks of a response for a long time). “I like that I can always figure things out, even when I don’t know the answer”
This teen worked on each crux and never gave up! Their climbing experience directly applied to their life experiences, where hardship is common and the future is often unclear.
13yo: *Sends boulder problem* “First try, nerds!”
This teen showed resilience and joy after struggling with a neuro-physical phenomenon prior to session
17yo: "We're a brotherhood"
This teen struggled with finding the confidence to climb for 2 years but loved our group. He connected with a group of boys and began climbing regularly with his buddies, the stoke and encouragement was high!
Mentor: We love you just the way you are. You don't have to hide who you are for us to support you!
15yo: *Hugs mentor*
This teen found a safe community space within our gym program during a confusing time as they were experiencing rejection from friends and family.
15yo: "My Dad just came in to pick me up. Can you belay me for one more climb so I can show him what I can do?!"
Mentor: "Of course!"
This teen is always thrilled to show her dad the routes she’s been crushing, she makes everyone proudly smile, and mentors are happy to help each teen share their goals and triumphs with their foster parents.
*Random 5.6 top rope speed climbing competition commences*
*17yo wins fastest time after multiple attempts*
This teen wasn't interested in static technique quite yet, but found something they were good at and got a self-esteem boost that day!
14yo: *Takes pride in being nicknamed “45” after their 45 second ascent in one of our speed climbing games*
He still carries this triumph with him to this day.
17yo: "It's hard to make good friends at my high school who don't pressure me to do bad things"
TYA became a source of his new affirming and healthy brotherhood. A nice break from an unhealthy peer community. They are able to relax and enjoy healthy peer relationships at each climbing session.
18yo: "Everyone, stop yelling beta at me and let me figure this out!"
This teen leaned into the emotional processing and release that climbing can offer. She used the gym as a special place to bring the heaviness of life to, and our mentors were there every step of the way.
16yo: "I want to get better at climbing"
At-Risk teens are prone to risky behaviors. Sometimes if they are given the tools and responsibility, activities like climbing can be an incredible satisfying outlet for this type of psychological energy. Following this, they can advance to new physical and mental levels in the sport, find an activity they're passionate about, and click into a community of supportive peers, mentors, and personalized coaching.
13yo: “Michael (Mentor) said my climbing is absurd!!”
This teen arrived for her first session by shyly stating “I’m feeling a bit anxious...I don’t know if I'll be good at climbing”. By the end of the session she was crushing the routes the "stronger" boys were attempting and feeling the girl power! Following each session since, she has grown in confidence even more!
18yo: (Thinks of a response for a long time). “I like that I can always figure things out, even when I don’t know the answer”
This teen worked on each crux and never gave up! Their climbing experience directly applied to their life experiences, where hardship is common and the future is often unclear.
13yo: *Sends boulder problem* “First try, nerds!”
This teen showed resilience and joy after struggling with a neuro-physical phenomenon prior to session
17yo: "We're a brotherhood"
This teen struggled with finding the confidence to climb for 2 years but loved our group. He connected with a group of boys and began climbing regularly with his buddies, the stoke and encouragement was high!
Mentor: We love you just the way you are. You don't have to hide who you are for us to support you!
15yo: *Hugs mentor*
This teen found a safe community space within our gym program during a confusing time as they were experiencing rejection from friends and family.
15yo: "My Dad just came in to pick me up. Can you belay me for one more climb so I can show him what I can do?!"
Mentor: "Of course!"
This teen is always thrilled to show her dad the routes she’s been crushing, she makes everyone proudly smile, and mentors are happy to help each teen share their goals and triumphs with their foster parents.
*Random 5.6 top rope speed climbing competition commences*
*17yo wins fastest time after multiple attempts*
This teen wasn't interested in static technique quite yet, but found something they were good at and got a self-esteem boost that day!
14yo: *Takes pride in being nicknamed “45” after their 45 second ascent in one of our speed climbing games*
He still carries this triumph with him to this day.
17yo: "It's hard to make good friends at my high school who don't pressure me to do bad things"
TYA became a source of his new affirming and healthy brotherhood. A nice break from an unhealthy peer community. They are able to relax and enjoy healthy peer relationships at each climbing session.
18yo: "Everyone, stop yelling beta at me and let me figure this out!"
This teen leaned into the emotional processing and release that climbing can offer. She used the gym as a special place to bring the heaviness of life to, and our mentors were there every step of the way.
16yo: "I want to get better at climbing"
At-Risk teens are prone to risky behaviors. Sometimes if they are given the tools and responsibility, activities like climbing can be an incredible satisfying outlet for this type of psychological energy. Following this, they can advance to new physical and mental levels in the sport, find an activity they're passionate about, and click into a community of supportive peers, mentors, and personalized coaching.
13yo: “Michael (Mentor) said my climbing is absurd!!”
This teen arrived for her first session by shyly stating “I’m feeling a bit anxious...I don’t know if I'll be good at climbing”. By the end of the session she was crushing the routes the "stronger" boys were attempting and feeling the girl power! Following each session since, she has grown in confidence even more!
