Rock Climbing News


08/20/2008 07:30 AM
Summertime Contributions for Kismet
North Conway, NH - The Great Circle Foundation of New York recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to the New Hampshire-based non-profit Kismet Rock Foundation (Kismet). This, added to news of several other major donations, makes for a remarkable total of nearly $40,000 in contributions over the past two months.

The news came in the weeks following the Board of Directors' decision to initiate an organizational expansion process.

"The Great Circle Foundation has displayed great vision in their decision to support Kismet," says Ted Wroblewski, President of the Kismet's Board of Directors. "During this time of growth, a new major donation has incredible impact and lends leverage for further fundraising."

Kismet Rock Foundation, which operates in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley, offers educational rock climbing programs to children with limited financial means from around New England. The unique program provides a multi-year extra-curricular education, focused on rock climbing, to children as they progress through their teens and into adulthood.

"Kismet Rock Foundation is offering a unique and important educational program," says Jeannine Weinberg, Director of the Great Circle Foundation. "We were very excited to find an organization that gives underprivileged children an experience that will impact their confidence and their future and that they will always remember."

The Great Circle Foundation's contribution was earmarked for direct program support, as were recent significant contributions from the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation and the Nike Factory Store Community Grant Program. Other contributors making up this summer windfall include the Evenor Armington Trust and the Nelson Charitable Foundation, both long-time supporters of Kismet, and the Chairman's Committee To Support Youth Activities. Alberto Alesina and Susan Adler and Brian and Carolyn Irwin earmarked their contributions for Kismet's capacity building and expansion process.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, and the students whose lives continue to be enriched by our program, we thank these benevolent individuals and Foundations for their generous support," says Wroblewski.

Kismet's final summer program week, reserved for students scheduled to graduate from the program, is underway now in North Conway, NH.

Kismet Rock Foundation seeks applicants for a newly forming Advisory Board. To learn more about this, or about other volunteer or donor opportunities, contact Janet Bergman, Project Director, at janet@kismetrockfoundation.org or 603.986.9457. Visit www.kismetrockfoundation.org to learn more about Kismet programs or see images of students in action from this summer.


08/20/2008 07:30 AM
Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival on Aug.16-17
The third annual Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival will take place this weekend, August 16-17.

This year's Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival will hold three rock climbing clinics which will be presented by the festival's leading sponsor - the Mountain Adventure Seminars. Aside from rock climbing clinics, the event will also include various competitions and demonstrations of other adventure sports such as boating, mountain biking, road cycling, trail running, flat water kayaking, and disc golf.

Registration starts at six in the morning, so interested participants are advised to come early. There will be a barbecue and awarding ceremony on Aug. 16. Clinics on climbing, boating, and paddling will be held the following day.

For more details on this news, please visit www.sacbee.com.


08/20/2008 07:30 AM
Young Rock Climber to Receive Award
A 17-year old rock climber named Gina Chaplin from Lower Road, Cookham Rise, Berkshire in UK has been nominated to receive the Citygate Young People of the Year award which recognizes unsung heroes. She has been participating in various national rock climbing competitions and teaching different sports such as badminton, judo, and rock climbing to her peers.

Chaplin is also vying for the top prize in Buckinghamshire for her dedication to Bourne End Junior Sports Club. The award also comes with £1,000 cash prize.

Chaplin is an A-level student at Sir William Borlase's school which is located at West Street in Marlow.

For more details on this news, please visit www.bucksfreepress.co.uk.


08/20/2008 07:30 AM
Rock Climbing Weekend in South Molton
Rock climbers from the South West and UK will gather in South Molton, Devon, England this coming weekend to take part in the annual climbing festival called the Hard Rock Fest. The three-day rock climbing event will be held at the Hacche Mill and will be hosted by the Mill Adventure Centre.

The event will kick off on Friday, August 15 at six in the evening. Various climbing competitions for climbers of all abilities will be held at the area's new boulder cave and the largest indoor climbing wall in Devon.

The South West Film Festival will also be held. In this festival, films about the best mountain and whitewater adventure will be showcased.

For more details on this news, please visit www.northdevongazette.co.uk.


08/20/2008 07:30 AM
Climbers to Go to Sydney for World Climbing Event
Two seniors from Wakeland will be going to Sydney, Australia at the end of this month to participate in the upcoming 2008 Youth World Championships.

Rock climbers Heather Puccio and Nic Sutton are both 17 years of age, and both were members of the US team. The two also competed in the 2007 Youth World Climbing Championships held in Ecuador.

Both climbers bagged the title in the overall speed category at the 2008 USA Climbing National Championships which took place in Sunnyvale, California last July. Puccio and Sutton are also part of the Frisco Rock Climbing Gym team which ranked second in the team championship.

For more details on this news, please visit www.friscoenterprise.com.