Courageous Climbers Return to Boise’s Wings Center

Courageous Kids Climbing announced today that arrangements have been made for a return engagement to Boise’s Wings Center for their unique rock climbing program for children with special needs on Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 10:00 am until noon.
“The Wings Center has been hard at work since our last event here in an effort to create a more fun and challenging climbing environment for the kids,” said event coordinator Jeff Riechmann.  “In addition to the regular climbing routes which include a cargo net and rope ladder, the staff at Wings Center has added climbing routes constructed out of recycled tires from small vehicles.  The kids are going to love this!”
Courageous Kids Climbing last held an event at Wings Center in December of 2014.  It was at this event that Courageous Climber Kyle made his television debut as he was interviewed by one of the local television stations after he finished climbing up the cargo net.  
The Boise Fire Department’s technical rescue team, Rescue 7, is scheduled to be on hand as well.  The firefighters will be wearing their special rope rescue harnesses and mentoring the courageous climbers as they learn to climb. The kids will be given the chance to climb on their fire truck as well, an opportunity that some of the kids don’t often get because of their challenges.
The first 15 kids to sign up will receive a special Courageous Kids Climbing t-shirt, courtesy of event sponsors Advocates for Inclusion of Nampa and Kaleidoscope Kids.
When asked why a climbing event, Riechmann said, “These events offer the child with special needs, whether it be a physical or intellectual challenge, the opportunity to challenge themselves by climbing on the walls of the Wings Center.  For those kids who may have a difficult time focusing on one thing, climbing a rock wall encourages them to focus. For the child who may doubt their physical abilities, it’s a chance to surpass their limitations in a controlled environment under the watchful eye of experienced coaches.  As an example, to date, we have had four visually challenged kids climb with us.  For the child with more significant challenges like cerebral palsy, our special harness provides them with the opportunity to feel what it is like to be a rock climber, even though they may not be able to actually climb.  Believe it or not, we have actually helped a few kids overcome their fear of heights.  A common statement that we hear from parents is that they didn’t think their child could do this!”
There is no cost for the kids to participate.  And, local rock climbers are encouraged to volunteer to be a coach by signing up on the JustServe.org website.
“I cannot say enough about the crew at Wings Center!  At our previous event back in December of 2014, they bent over backwards to accommodate our courageous climbers.  In addition to our upcoming event in September at the Down Town YMCA, we were considering a second Boise event.  Then out of the blue, Wings Center contacted us and asked if they could host another event, and here we are, planning our second event, which is also our first event for 2016!”
“Our goal is to provide the opportunity for every child in the State of Idaho and Eastern Washington with the chance to rock climb in an environment that allows each child to be themselves.  No one is forced to climb.  We have six events planned for 2016.  All of our events are free to any child with special needs.  Because some of our event venues are pretty popular, reservations are required,” said Riechmann.  To reserve a spot for a child with special needs for the Wings Center event, send Riechmann an e-mail to jeffriechmann@cs.com or an IM via the Courageous Kids Climbing page on Facebook.
“We just want to gives these kids a chance to rise above!”
Contact info:
Jeff Riechmann
300 Mountain Cove Court
McCall, ID. 83638-4501
jeffriechmann@cs.com