Events 2023
As we look to extend our community network our focus for 2023 is to run more collaborative events with partner organizations who fulfill a similar mission to Chicago Climbs
Our first event of the year saw us partner with Girls in the Game who promote empowerment of through fun and active sports, health and leadership programs. We hosted an introduction to rock climbing at Movement Lincoln Park that saw everyone involved crush it. We were proud to see some push piece by piece through their fear of heights to others cruising their way to the top of the routes. We hope to have Girls in the Game back with us soon.
Chicago Climbing Community Meetup
It was amazing to see so many amazing Chicago climbing organizations come together. We were lucky to have representation from @chicago_adventure_therapy, @queersontherocks, @sendingincolor and @adaptclimbgroup. This was an opportunity for our groups to get to know each other even better, help spread the word about the positive work these groups are doing and showcase what the climbing community can be about. Thanks to @arcteryxchicago for supporting and providing prizes and thanks to @brooklynboulderschi for helping bring the event to life.
We were incredibly grateful to have been part of the All Rise climbing festival at Brooklyn Boulders. The event showcased the very best of climbing, from individual feats of strength and technique, to the show of force from the Chicago climbing community and it's engaging organizations. We had a blast with our ASM teens trying the open comp as well as meeting two of our newly sponsored athletes on the BKBeasts team.
Huge gratitude to:
@arcteryxchicago
@brooklynboulderschi
@allriseoutdoors
@wearebraindead
@ashimashiraishi
@shelmatic
@drewruana
We had a great time hosting @project_vision at @movementgymschicago across two separate sessions. The teens were super enthusiastic - some a little nervous too - but everyone gave it their all as soon as they were on the wall.
Our first outdoor event in partnership with Latino Outdoors Great Lake saw us welcome Urban Warriors to climbing at Steelworkers Park.
As well as fun, we wanted to ensure that the day was about community and self-development. We started the day with a clean-up of the surrounding areas with everyone from Urban Warriors coming with an awesome attitude, no complaining, just laughs as people grouped together picking up trash.
As we shared food, we also had a great team of volunteers, who wore their name tags with their careers, to allow the teens to ask about opportunities, experiences and paths in different fields.
But the highlight of the day (alongside the burgers) was the climbing. We had shy teens being confident and running up the walls, we had confident teens showing their nerves unsure about getting on the wall. Ultimately everyone was willing to try to climb the wall, and get an opportunity to peer over the top of the wall and see the iconic Chicago skyline.
Another super fun event welcoming @myblockmyhoodmycity to @movementgymschicago.
There was a mixture of confidence going in to the session today but everyone gave it their all once on the wall. We introduced the group to the basics of rope climbing, showing how to tie in and complete safety checks, before letting them loose on the walls. Once arms and fingers started to tire we were lucky enough to have Movement staff Alberto, Rachel and Juan talk to the teens about how they got in to climbing and a little bit about their careers in climbing.
Huge thank you to our volunteers, @myblockmyhoodmycity and @movementgymschicago for a great evening of climbing. Hope to see everyone back in the gym soon.
We have been wanting to put this event on for months and couldn’t have been happier welcoming Seamos Amigos to come climb with us @brooklynboulderschi. Everyone was super stoked to climb together and the enthusiasm was felt throughout the day. There was no fear as everyone took turns charging up the walls. After climbing together, we ate pizza together and shared a little bit more about each organization. Big thanks to @arcteryxchicago for supplying some beanies that the participants could take away as a momento. Huge appreciation to @brooklynboulderschi for the support in organizing and hosting the event. And lastly all the love for our volunteers who came to help on the day - wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s support.
Can’t wait to do it all again in 2024.