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The Climbing Connection

Help us create rock climbing experiences that connect people to their larger potential.

$2,320
pledged of$15,000 goal
34
0Days Left

Project Description

Our Mission

The Climbing Connection is a woman-owned business that uses rock climbing as a medium for to define and challenge limiting beliefs.

Who are we? 

The Climbing Connection is one of few women-owned rock climbing

organizations. Michelle Lloyd, the founder, has been climbing 15+ years and holds numerous certifications in the outdoor world as a guide and instructor. She also has extensive experience in the mental health world as a licensed social worker. 

Michelle has straddled the line of the outdoor and mental health worlds for a number of years. This past year, she took the leap to bring the two together by creating the Climbing Connection.  She needs your help to take this dream to the next level. 

 

What's the problem?

When we think of understand our social/emotional health, western talk therapy often comes to mind. While this approach is very valuable, it primarily promotes living in the mind and understanding things like trauma and social/emotional wellness through talking and reasoning. Unfortunately, this misses the fact that our social/emotional selves are often sensation-based rather than formed in words and logic.

There are some outdoor adventure agencies that encourage the development of life skills through adventure outings, however these are often costly and rely heavily on the experience of "getting to the top" of a climb.

There is a gap in access to thoughtful curriculum that uses activities like rock climbing to deepen our understanding of ourselves. Some schools and organizations are adopting practices like meditation and yoga during their school days which is a wonderful alternative to the same goal.

Rock Climbing offers an alternative avenue that speaks to many youth's interest in "risk-taking", having the decision making responsibility, solving physical and mental challenges, and working with a community to make progress. 

While other curriculums that offer rock climbing as a component do a beautiful job addressing one aspect of getting to know the self: emotional identification, processing internal experiences, learning grounding skills by being outdoors, developing skills like confidence by trying something scary and hard few programs approach these skills with the understanding that they are interconnected. 

 

How are we solving the problem?

The door for many people into rock climbing is the local rock gym or a guided outdoor experience. Many schools and organizations are interested in the sport's expanding popularity and are looking for opportunities to try it out. 

There are a growing number of indoor rock climbing gyms and experiential education organizations that offer rock climbing courses/programs as part of their menu. The Climbing Connection's intention is to create curriculums that both these organizations and the general public can access and participate in.  Our programs and curriculums stand out because they are built on 4 principals that we have seen help set the stage for participants to feel comfortable getting to know some possibly uncomfortable feelings. 

 

How does our approach solve a need? 

We've found that approaching programming based on the principles of: Community, Individual, Risk, and Integration creates a safe, curious space for individuals to access  their inner selves. With climbing as a foundation, they are able to transpose the goal setting, strategizing, and accomplishment of their desires from climbing into their lives.  

 

 

Who is this for?

Our hope is to work primarily with teens and young adults, though this approach  

is beneficial for all ages. We are currently taking a stand at the college level and need your support to start to offer this type of programing in other areas where hard emotional experiences often goes unseen and/or unaddressed. To start, these spaces are our public schools, the foster care system, mental health system, recovery communities, juvenile detention system, and communities that are not living with the same power and privilege as others. 

 

 

Let's talk money: How much and what for?

We're hoping to raise enough money for The Climbing Connection to operate as a LLC company that has the ability to safely provide top-of-the-line programming and equipment to participants. We are also hoping to start a small scholarship fund that will allow The Climbing Connection to provide workshops to organizations that may not otherwise think to use climbing as a way to do social/emotional work or have the socioeconomic means to seek out this type of programming. 

We are intending to raise $15,000. This number provides a full set of outdoor rock climbing gear, insurance, legal feels, consulting fees, and a small scholarship fund. It looks big at first glance, but if we all work together can be approached in very reasonable ways. For example:

  • 16 people contributing $51 which will cover the cost of 4 climbing ropes.
  • 12 people contributing $150 which will cover the cost of equipment for 12 people (harness, helmet, belay device).
  • 30 people contributing $75 which will cover the cost of insurance fees. 
  • 20 people contributing $22 which will cover the cost of trademarking. 

 

If a monetary contribution doesn't feel like the best option, we would be equally grateful for you to pass this link along to 3 friends you think may be interested in what we are going. 

 

 One of Rock Climbing's unique attributes is how supportive and welcoming the community can be. We ares thankful  kids and young adults we have the opportunity to work with have a huge community, with you in it, rooting for their success. 

 

Thank you.

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Ross Lippmann is the director, editor, and all around film genius who created our promo video. If you'd like more info on Ross' work or how to discuss your own project with him, please send us an email so we can get you in touch. 

 

 

Auntie Nancy
03/15/2020
Handwritten thank you on a TCC postcard
$100
Evan Piche
03/14/2020
Route named in your honor at the NAC
$20
Tim
03/14/2020
4 hour Outdoor Climbing trip for 2
$250
Cora
03/12/2020
Monetary Contribution
$50
skittles
03/12/2020
8 hour outdoor climbing day for 4
$500
Kalyn Slaughter
03/10/2020
TCC T-Shirt
$40
JoHendrix
03/09/2020
Route named in your honor at the NAC
$20
Kevin & Sarah Hall
03/09/2020
Monetary Contribution
$25
ChrisBtoTheP
03/09/2020
Movement Analysis and 3 technique tips
$75
Brian and Ann Marie Dedischew
03/08/2020
Monetary Contribution
$100
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

5 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Handwritten thank you on a TCC postcard

Every bit helps! Thank you so much for your contribution. Look out in the mail for a handwritten thank you on a unique TCC postcard. 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Route named in your honor at the NAC

Michelle will set you a personalized route at the Northampton Area Athletic club and name it in your honor. She will send a video of it being climbed as a thanks! 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Let's Climb Together

Let's find a time to get together and climb at The El Dojo. Michelle will take care of the day pass. All you need to do is show up and spend an hour enjoying this "historic", New England climbing gym. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
40.00 USD
TCC T-Shirt

Sport an attractive TCC T-shirt at the gym, crag, or around town! 

9 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Outdoor Group Climbing Session

No experience or gear necessary! Drop by for 3 belays at a group outdoor trip. We'll send you date options for the trips and all you have to do is show up ready to climb!

4 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Movement Analysis and 3 technique tips

Either send a video of yourself climbing or we'll meet up for 30 minutes to analyze your climbing movement. Once we have a sense of how you move, we'll discuss your strengths, areas of opportunity, and 3 tips to reach your goals. 

2 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
One month training plan

Take this opportunity to improve your climbing performance with a one month climbing plan! Michelle will analyze a short video of your climbing and have a 30 minute discussion with you about your climbing goals. Based on this, she'll put together a 4 week training plan.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
200.00 USD
6 week technique video series

We will send you 6 weeks of climbing videos that will include a technique, 3 movement drills, and mental focus exercise. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
4 hour Outdoor Climbing trip for 2

No experience or equipment necessary. Only Local trips available. We’ll take care of the gear, logistics, and heavy lifting. You gather an adventure buddy and come check out some of Western, MA’s fantastic climbing! 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
500.00 USD
8 hour outdoor climbing day for 4

No experience or equipment necessary. Only Local trips available. We’ll take care of the gear, logistics, and heavy lifting. You gather the family or friends and come check out some of Western, MA’s fantastic climbing! 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Brand Sponsor

We will promote your brand for 30 days on our social media and website. If your brand is a product let's discuss if a collaboration is appropriate. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Wendell, MA
Created 1 Campaign
Business Services

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

5 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Handwritten thank you on a TCC postcard

Every bit helps! Thank you so much for your contribution. Look out in the mail for a handwritten thank you on a unique TCC postcard. 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Route named in your honor at the NAC

Michelle will set you a personalized route at the Northampton Area Athletic club and name it in your honor. She will send a video of it being climbed as a thanks! 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Let's Climb Together

Let's find a time to get together and climb at The El Dojo. Michelle will take care of the day pass. All you need to do is show up and spend an hour enjoying this "historic", New England climbing gym. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
40.00 USD
TCC T-Shirt

Sport an attractive TCC T-shirt at the gym, crag, or around town! 

9 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Outdoor Group Climbing Session

No experience or gear necessary! Drop by for 3 belays at a group outdoor trip. We'll send you date options for the trips and all you have to do is show up ready to climb!

4 Supporters
Select this reward
75.00 USD
Movement Analysis and 3 technique tips

Either send a video of yourself climbing or we'll meet up for 30 minutes to analyze your climbing movement. Once we have a sense of how you move, we'll discuss your strengths, areas of opportunity, and 3 tips to reach your goals. 

2 Supporters
Select this reward
150.00 USD
One month training plan

Take this opportunity to improve your climbing performance with a one month climbing plan! Michelle will analyze a short video of your climbing and have a 30 minute discussion with you about your climbing goals. Based on this, she'll put together a 4 week training plan.

1 Supporter
Select this reward
200.00 USD
6 week technique video series

We will send you 6 weeks of climbing videos that will include a technique, 3 movement drills, and mental focus exercise. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
4 hour Outdoor Climbing trip for 2

No experience or equipment necessary. Only Local trips available. We’ll take care of the gear, logistics, and heavy lifting. You gather an adventure buddy and come check out some of Western, MA’s fantastic climbing! 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
500.00 USD
8 hour outdoor climbing day for 4

No experience or equipment necessary. Only Local trips available. We’ll take care of the gear, logistics, and heavy lifting. You gather the family or friends and come check out some of Western, MA’s fantastic climbing! 

1 Supporter
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Brand Sponsor

We will promote your brand for 30 days on our social media and website. If your brand is a product let's discuss if a collaboration is appropriate. 

0 Supporters
Select this reward