There’s Room for Everyone on This Wall

For most rock climbers, reaching the top of a difficult wall is a chance to overcome fear and tackle a challenge they may have thought impossible.

For others, simply leaving a wheelchair and experiencing the world vertically can be an achievement all its own.

Courageous Kids Climbing has created those opportunities for people with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities for more than a decade. The Idaho-based nonprofit provides free, inclusive climbing events across the western United States. The organization and its volunteers specialize in adapting the experience so participants with a wide range of abilities can get on the wall and climb.

The organization returned to Longbranch Sept. 20 for its annual Key Peninsula visit at YMCA Camp Colman, with KP Fire Department personnel on site to assist. Courageous Kids Climbing has been coming to the KP since 2017, according to founder Jeff Riechmann.

Riechmann, a retired Southern California firefighter, started the program in 2014 with climbing gym owner Larry Morton. The idea grew from a conversation about finding a way to give back to their community and provide inclusive experiences for people with disabilities.

“Ten minutes later, we had this whole thing laid out,” Riechmann said.

What began with one event has grown far beyond that initial conversation. The Longbranch event was Courageous Kids Climbing’s 205th in the western United States, Riechmann said, with more than 2,200 climbers participating since the organization was created. Climbers have ranged in age from preschoolers to adults in their 70s.

Climbing can offer benefits beyond recreation and physical activity. Reichman shared that climbing naturally fosters problem-solving, focus, and independence, and participants are encouraged to make their own climbing decisions while on the wall. Parents are sometimes asked to step away and give their children a chance to decide for themselves where to put a hand or foot.

“We’re trying to build self-confidence,” he said. “We’re trying to help overcome any fears that the kids may have with climbing.”

For climbers with physical disabilities, Courageous Kids offers specialized, adaptive equipment that allows all climbers to experience the thrill of reaching the top. Participants who use a wheelchair benefit from climbing equipment that allows them to ascend the wall in a supportive chair. The organization describes the experience as taking someone out of the “horizontal world” and allowing them to experience the “vertical world.”

The adaptive equipment also creates a natural connection between Courageous Kids and first responders, including the KP Fire Department.

Much of the rope and hauling equipment utilized at their events is similar to that used by fire departments’ technical rescue and search-and-rescue teams. This allows first responders to practice their rope skills while gaining experience interacting with people whose disabilities could affect how they respond during an emergency.

Riechmann said he encourages first responders to observe participants and consider how they might assist someone with similar needs during a fire, vehicle collision, or other emergency.

The interaction works both ways. Spending time with first responders in a recreational setting can help participants who may be apprehensive around those in uniform become more comfortable. Riechmann said the organization has worked with participants whose fear of uniformed first responders was significant.

“It is such a low-key, accepting environment,” said Rose, a mother who has brought her two children to the event for years (she preferred not to use her last name). “There is a confidence boost in meeting their physical climbing goals, and it’s an opportunity to engage with adults who understand they might need a little more patience and understanding.”

Anne Nesbit, Public Information Officer with KPFD, said the fire department looks forward to participating with Courageous Kids Climbing each year. “The KPFD loves the opportunity every year to work with the campers.”

Another mother, Karenina, whose 16-year-old son has Down Syndrome, said, “We were so proud of him, because he tried three times to climb to the top. He didn’t give up until he got it. Jeff (Riechmann) is an incredible man with a big heart and great affection for our children.”

The measure of success for Riechmann remains simple.

He would like to see more families take advantage of the annual Longbranch event, but said the number of participants isn’t what determines whether a day succeeds.

“If we have one child show up, and they get something out of it, they leave with a smile, the event is considered a success,” he said.

One comment, in particular, has stayed with him through more than 200 events: parents telling him they never thought their child could do it.

His response is equally straightforward.

“You’d be surprised what these kids can do if you just give them a chance,” Riechmann said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

To learn more about Courageous Kids Climbing and future events in Longbranch, go to www.courageouskidsclimbing.org.