Events 2024
Our events this year will focus on welcoming the return of some of our partner organizations to climb, bringing in new groups and extending the scope of our current events.
Just like last year, our first event saw us welcome back 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 the teens learn how the safety checks required when climbing and how to tie their own figure of eight knots. It was awesome to see the excitement to get on the tallest walls as quickly as possible. We hope to see the teens come back climbing soon.
We welcomed back Project Vision for the first of two climbing sessions at Movement Lincoln Park this weekend. Everyone in the group was climbing for the first time but despite some nerves everyone gave it a real go. It was great to see the determination to make it to the top of the wall. We love to hear a participant asking to keep climbing after already 2 hours in the gym. We look forward to having group two with us next week.
Round 2 with the crew from Project Vision. As usual the stoke level was high and we all had a blast. Always a pleasure working with this group and hope to see everyone in the gym again soon!
Steelworkers Park - Spring Reset
Well that was special! The third iteration of Chicago’s climbing community groups coming together has morphed in to something bigger and better than we could have ever expected. The Spring Reset at Steelworkers park exemplified community engagement as 9 community groups came together to increase the number of routes at the park from 5 to 19 total problems, with each group getting to leave their mark on the walls. The day allowed us to reunite with old friends as well as make new connections which we hope will bring about more collaboration, more opportunities and more climbers in this beautiful city of Chicago.
Read more about the event here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/12/chicago-climbers-to-create-new-paths-up-steelworkers-park-ore-wall-this-weekend/
Huge thanks to all of the groups that worked together on creating this beautiful vision:
@asianclimbingcollective
@queersontherocks
@chicago_adventure_therapy
@sendingincolor
@adaptclimbgroup
@climbbigchicago
@lo_greatlakes
@escaladoresunidos
@se_side_chicagoparkdistrict
@slacklinechicago
@blk.people.outside
And a massive thank you to our partners and sponsers:
@nature_illinois
@patagoniachicago
@arcteryxchicago
@arcticfoxchicago
We had an amazing time hosting @myblockmyhoodmycity this week with our friends at @patagoniachicago . We were lucky enough to have Jason and Jess from Patagonia talk to the teens about a wide range of topics. We talked through the history of Patagonia, the work that they do for environmental justice, how they support local non-profits and the ways teens can engage in different environmental issues. It was great to hear the variety of environmental issues that the teens were already aware of or passionate about.
After our talk and tour, we walked over to @brooklynboulderschi and climbed together. As usual there was a mix of nervousness and excitement but everyone gave it their best shot. It’s always a competition against yourself, rather than others, and we loved to see people getting back on the wall trying to push a little higher each time.
It’s always a wonderful time with My Block and Patagonia and hope we can put on more events like this in the future.
Steelworkers Park - End of Summer Celebration
This year’s End of Summer Celebration brought together climbers from across the community for a day of climbing, learning, and connection.
In partnership with the Chicago Park District and Chicago’s climbing affinity groups, we hosted a range of activities that catered to both new and experienced climbers. Top rope climbs were a highlight, alongside hands-on workshops covering anchor building and lead belaying. It was great to see participants picking up new skills and supporting each other throughout the day.
The event wasn’t just about climbing—it was also a chance to bring people together. Fireside chats were a key part of the afternoon, with our fire keeper helping create a relaxed atmosphere. Between sharing stories and making smores, the group enjoyed a calm and meaningful close to the day.
The mix of climbing and conversation made this gathering a great way to end the season. We look forward to more moments like these as we continue to grow together in the climbing community.
We had an incredible day climbing at @brooklynboulderschi with a group of young men from the @rohingya_center_of_chicago — all of whom were climbing for the first time! Their determination and excitement was nothing short of incredible as they took on the walls with confidence and courage. We even had one participant trying out some moves on a 5.12-
This was our first time partnering with the Rohingya Cultural Center, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to connect and share this experience. Huge thanks to @brooklynboulders for hosting us and helping make this event possible.
We can’t wait to do another event like this soon—stay tuned!
