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Look below to learn more about the "CITY HEIGHTS CLIMBING CLUB"
Free Event #14 San Diego "City Heights Climbing Club" (April 11th 2025)
The City Heights Climbing Club is a program created by our organization to help combat underrepresentation in rock climbing in low-income minority communities around San Diego. This was our clubs first meet up and we had 100% registration and attendance. Together our office, board, and supporters got to spend the night with 12 awesome kids and their families scaling the walls of this world class climbing gym. Together with our partners SD Parks and Recreation, and Mesa Rim Climbing Gyms we provided transportation, gym entry, gear rentals, dinner, and instruction all 100% FREE to the kids and their families.
The City Heights Climbing Clubs first group photo. So amazing to offer this access to those who need it the most. 100% turnout from participants and families
Seasoned Instructor Vishal Bobba takes the time to not only teach but really connect with the kids. Always a pleasure watching kids learn from him
Secretary Tessa Oliver was our most popular teacher of the night. Building skills and long-lasting friendships with the kids
End of the night debrief with the awesome CFTC team. This bunch is a huge reason why we are able to offer this kind of access and programs to the community
Free Event #13 San Diego "Ultreya Knotty Coffee" (Dec 14th 2025)
We teamed up with our close friends at "Ultreya Coffee and Tea" to host a small gathering of our supporting community. The goal of the day was to teach a small knots clinic helping guests to perfect their skills in tying knots like the clove hitch, figure 8, and barrel knot. Our first line of t shirts and totes made their appearance at this event, we held our first fundraising raffle, and overall raised a small amount for our upcoming climbing club project.
Our team for this event rocking our new CFTC shirts which are handmade by our Head of Design Katie Pack (bottom left)
Nicholas (President) and Carlos (Instructor) seen here teaching knots at our anchor board. Guests all were given a rope to follow along with the instruction
Ian Craft (Outreach Coordinator) and friends Jacob and Kaiden catching some crimps on the brick wall out front Ultreya
John was just one of our lucky raffle winners and got to take home this awesome 45l Black Hole Duffle bag from Patagonia
Free Event #12 San Diego "Rock Climbing Block Party" (Oct 5th 2024)
Climbing for the Community was proud to partner with City of San Diego Parks and Recreation to host City Heights very first Rock Climbing Block Party. This event was a huge pilar for our organization, bringing over 500 people from the community together all facilitated with the help of over 20 volunteers and several major sponsors. Over 75% of the 500 in attendance were people from minority groups who otherwise would have never found rock climbing. This event boasted a 30ft rock climbing wall, 17ft water slide, bounce houses, climbing games, and climbing crafts. We were able to provide this massive group with a lunch as well as ice cream. All finishing with our amazing FREE raffle, giving out over $2500 dollars in prizes to the community.
Twenty of our close friends coming together to volunteer for this epic day. Showcased is our first custom printed t shirts.
Abuelita (a local legend in the neighborhood) dropped into our raffle to keep the excited kids entertained
Jacob close friend of CFTC runs the crates stacking game. Kids tied into a belay and stacked crates untill toppling over
The center of the show was a 30ft tall rock climbing wall where guests could test their skills trying to climb to the top
Founder Nicholas Shostak getting a safety test done on the 17ft water slide. Once the event was busy this was a huge hit, on a hot day
During the Raffle, James our outreach coordinators son was stoked to be the honorary ticket picker. He picked some big winners
Before the event begun our volunteer team had to run a test on the bounce house. It seemed to work properly after all the adults exited
Kids got the chance to paint their own pet rock. This attraction was a huge hit and by the end of the event we had pained over 300 rocks
Free Event #11 San Diego "Serpentine Cidar" (July 19th 2024)
Our organization was invited to co-host a Reel Rock "Resistance Palestine" showing at a local brewery in the San Diego area. We were able to get local middle eastern food donated to the event, donated our own 40m rope to give away, and close friend Izzy handmade a custom Palestine chalk bag to be raffled off. 60 people were in attendance and showed huge support for Palestine.
Founder Nicholas Shostak and Outreach Coordinator Ian Craft posing next to our table. We used this space to reach out to attendes about our free classes
Event creator Tyler Schwenk, and co host Jenilee Veloso running the welcome table. Huge thanks to Tyler for helping to plan such a meaningful and well organized event
A look into the giant front window of Serpentine Cidar. We had the entire space to ourselves and even a amazing personal bartender for the night
A look at the raffle table. We collectively gave out 4 memberships to Asylum rock gym, 1 free guided class, a 40 meter rope, and a custom Palestine chalk bag. Tyler designed these Palestine belay tags for all
Free Event #10 Jamul, California "Mays Rock Ranch" (June 17, 2024)
In celebration of close friend Roberts birthday we joined forces with Acopa Shoes, Rob, and about 40 others to fundraise for Mays Rock Ranch. This is a private area that allows access to the community for its abundance of rock climbing. Funds were raised through raffle and donations and went to building a better road for the area.
The after hours crew enjoys a fantastic dinner prepared by the host and birthday boy Rob. Tyrolean Traverse came later that night
Opening introduction to the group. behind is our welcome table we set up with free goodies, snacks, and info
Outreach coordinator Ian sits and watches as close friend Billey sends the stiff 5.9 finger tips crack
This boulder sits right at the center of the ranch, providing the perfect backdrop and vibe while getting ready for a day of sending
Free Event #9 San Diego "Ultreya Coffee" (May 4th, 2024)
While awaiting insurance and permitting to come in for the new 501(c)(3) we didn't waste any time and decided to host this amazing community anchors class. A huge success with over 30 people in attendance. We got to teach a new skill to so many people, as well as build community around the sport of rock climbing and local business.
Having 4 anchor boards available for teaching and practice made the class super smooth. Big thanks to Ultreya for hosting us!!
Welcome table, raffle table, climbing schedule, and Ian's (Outreach coordinator) son James excited about all the people and food!
Beet Rooted a local all vegan food vendor showed up in style and served some amazing beet based wraps and burgers.
Nicholas (President) seated at a guest table explaining the fine-tuned techniques to anchor building... or possibly telling a joke.
Free Event #8 San Diego "Mission Gorge" (October 3rd 2023)
Our second event in San Diego turned out to be a fantastic day. We brought together over 35 people to climb at one of San Diegos best outdoor climbing areas. Einsteins bagels, Huge raffle, and so many happy faces.
Our finest group picture to date. With 7 more volunteers uphill setting up this was one of our biggest events yet!
This donations board has been at every event since the beginning. Hand drawn may never go out of style.
Friend of the organization Dennis make the opening moves on the slippery slopes of Mission Gorges granite.
Nicholas (President) helps close friend Aaron to tape up his hands before climbing the well known Dimril Stair 5.8
Free Event #7 San Diego "Mission Gorge" (May 7th 2023)
Our first event in San Diego was a huge hit. Being new to the area we still gathered about 20 people many of which were new climbers from our target audience. Subway and free raffle was enjoyed after at the visitor center.
Nicholas (President) helps a attendee to tape up their hands in order to comfortably crack climb. Comfort is key for newer climbers to enjoy themselves properly
Our 7th free raffle to date and our third time giving away a climbing rope. To switch things up and stick with the beach vibe we added a flashy prism kite into the prize pool.
These pictures of the prizes with clean patterned backgrounds are pleasing to the eye and really showcase the quality of prizes we are giving away!
At the end of day we all gathered and enjoyed a subway lunch together at the visitor center. Everyone insisted on taking turns for pictures in front of the banner.
Event #6 Arizona Climbing Clinic "The Campground" (January 24th 2023)
To change things up and gain some much needed fundraising money we decided to run a discounted 2 day clinic for those wanting to learn more about set up and anchor building. We kept the number at 3 attendees and provided our classic free raffle as well as free lunch both days. This combined with camping out together created some amazing climbers and some life long friends. All 3 of the attendees went on to get even further into climbing outdoors.
Day one started with learning how to build different anchors safely from the ground. We used anchor replicas to make things as realistic as possible
Day one ended with everyone learning how to properly rappel while using a back up safety device. What goes up must come down....slowly!
On the second day we had extra time to be able to go over traditional gear like cams and stoppers. This shows a high level of appreciation and understanding of the sport
Graduation Day!
Jeremy (VP) on far right
Free Event #5 Arizona "Atlantis" (November 14th 2022)
After spending a summer in beautiful washington it was time to return to AZ for the winter. We had heard from many people how much they missed the events we had so we went back to Atlantis for round 2. Its a good thing we picked the same place again as this crag is huge and so was our attendance of 58 people. Our first time ordering Dominos to a crag!!
Friend Kelly takes off on Alley Cat 5.7 as the crowds mass below around the raffle and lunch tables
Free raffle table once again looking amazing. $350 well spent on a new rope, new backpack, and gear bundle. Items always seem to find the right winners!
We introduced the learning center into this event for the first time and it was a hit. This area allowed for proper teaching and for attendees to hone in their skills independently in a safe and controlled space
Friends and Volunteers Aaron and Jamie pose for a glamour shot after leading and setting up over 8 climbs for our group to enjoy for the day.
Free Event #4 Washington "Marymore Park" (September 17th 2022)
After settling into Washington and creating quite an impact it was time for the next one. This time we went all out with the raffle handing out over $250 in prizes. 35 in attendance.
Amazing artificial structure with some awesome routes. Hey thats a shazzy banner ya got there!
These walls are man made with bricks, concrete, and different forms. The area did an amazing job at mimicing several types of outdoor rock.
As Jeremy (VP) and Nicholas (President) started pouring more funds into the organazation the free raffles really started taking off in a big way.
Not only did Nate bring a bunch of extra community members but he also won our first ever free rope. This was amazing as he already owned most of thr gear but lacked a rope of his own. This allowed him to continue taking people out with him to the area!
Free Event #3 Washington "Torgeson Park" (August 7th 2022)
Founder Nicholas's nomadic lifestyle led him up the west coast and he took the community with him. An artificial crag, a small group, and a special guest. The birth of our Banner!!
Nicholas (President) on location with our new Beloved Banner.
The climbing wall from a distance. These artificial outdoor walls are not seen often and are surely a treat to enjoy for the day
A small intimate group building community with a special guest "Joey." At 60 Joey climbed stronger than anyone there, and brought personal guidebooks to share in the free raffle
Everyone was a raffle winner at this event. Which turned out to be really freaking cool!
Free Event #2 Arizona "Atlantis" (May 28 2022)
Our first event was such a hit we managed to plan number 2 less than 2 months after. Another hit with 37 people attending. During this time we were 100% self funded out of pocket
with the event in full swing you can spot nearly 30 attendies in this shot
Friend of the organization Jamie showing the others how to maneuver the lunch table
Friend of the organization Robert shows the onlookers how to send Alley Cat 5.7 with style
Nicholas (President) leading For Some Reason 5.7 on traditional gear to set a rope for the group
Free Event #1 Arizona "The Mine" (April 11th 2022)
This was Climbing for the Communities first ever event. We had 31 people in attendance and provided our first free raffle and lunch to everyone.
Nicholas (President) and Jeremy (VP) hosting the first ever free raffle and lunch
First group of climbers lining up for thier turn on this beautifully textured wall
Friend of the organazation Alexis Ely ponies up and leads another route for the group
Happy climbers doing what they do best.....CLIMBING!
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