Project Ascent Helping Youth Experience Self-Worth, Accomplishment, Drive and Independence

This is a guest post written by Scottie Mcelroy, the founder of Project Ascent

What Is Project Ascent?

Project Ascent was established to give at-risk and under-privileged youth an opportunity to experience nature through Rock Climbing. Rock Climbing is a unique sport in which individuals are put in a new environment without preconceived expectations on performance or success. Rock Climbing not only involves physical strength, but also mental fortitude. Rock Climbing facilitates problem solving and allows participants to fail and succeed in a controlled environment thus promoting adaptation. Communication between climbers plays instrumentally in the success or failure of a climbing expedition.

Why Project Ascent?

When I began climbing, I quickly realized the impact it made on my mental and physical life. I thought, “If I am gaining such incredible awareness and strength, what could climbing give to children who haven’t had the same opportunities that I have?”

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I have worked extensively with at-risk youth. I worked with a young man in Austin, TX to get him into the program because conventional sports like basketball and football were not for him. He longed for an opportunity to find something he excelled in and enjoyed.

We met Josh through a school outreach program that worked with area counselors to find youth that would potentially be candidates for our programs. Josh did not have an ideal home-life and his education and bad decisions were sending him down the wrong path.

Josh and several other children from the same school were accepted to attend one of our adventures. From the start I could see this is what Josh not only needed, but also what he wanted. He naturally excelled at the art of climbing. More importantly, he started engaging with his peers and the Project Ascent volunteers.

Building trust, confidence, and self-worth are a focus on Project Ascent trips.

After the trip, Josh reached out to me asking if there were additional trips he could attend. He ended up being my first candidate for ‘Earn a Spot’. He was eligible to earn a spot on a trip for clocking community service hours. Josh started volunteering with Central Texas Mountaineers and with me individually working on trails surrounding Austin. When I left Austin to move to Missouri, Josh continued volunteering and since has plans to start a similar non-profit working with youth.

Explain How Project Ascent Works

We generally take a group of 5-20 youths to an indoor climbing gym or an outdoor established climbing area where we spend the day teaching and climbing.

We start by introducing ourselves, our volunteers, and have the youths introduce themselves. This is important because we will all be working together and trusting each other immensely throughout the day.

Next is Ground School which lasts an hour and covers everything they need to know to start safely climbing. We discuss and practice all safety procedures including wearing harnesses, tying figure eight safety knots, single pitch certified belay techniques, and the communication commands associated with climbing and belaying.

Each youth is fitted with climbing shoes and a harness. This is the part of ground school that is most exciting for the youths. Their faces always light up and they try on their shoes and their harnesses.

After ground school we hike up to the climbing area where we have previously set up all top ropes and climbing techniques are covered. Body position and common hand and foot position techniques are demonstrated to help ensure successful climbs. Ropes are set by Project Ascent guides and climbing routes are adjusted according to the groups climbing ability.

For safety, there are always three people to each climb: the climber, the belayer, and the backup belayer. All of which are the participants and/or their chaperons.

Leaders and our volunteers are watching each group to ensure they are using correct techniques and are safe at all times. This interaction assures that trust is built. When a child has to rely on a peer to keep them safe during a climb they are more likely to take the experience seriously, build trust, and understand the need for strong and open communication. The best thing is that all this occurs while they are having fun and gaining confidence.

We continue climbing until our scheduled lunch break and then continue to climb until it is time to pack up for the day. Seeing the children be excited to volunteer to help break down and carry everything back could easily be one of the best parts of the day. After we have packed up and before we are ready to leave we always ask the kids what their favorite part of the day was. We always receive varied responses most of which give us more insight to their experience then watching them climb all day.

Who Are Project Ascent’s Current Strategic Partners?

Our current and ongoing partners are Horseshoe Canyon Ranch and Dynamic Earth.

Project Ascent has also received generous donations from several companies.

Who Else Does Project Ascent Need To Connect With?

We are always looking for people with the same passion and desire to help our youth. We value connections and building relationships. Anyone with a passion for youth and making a difference in their lives is a possible connection.

Specifically:

1. A lawyer who is willing to donate their time when we have legal and/or filing questions.
2. Someone who is skilled in grant writing.
3. Photographers and videographers who would be willing to photograph and film Project Ascent adventures and outings.
4. Someone who could help Project Ascent build a website.
5. Anyone who has a passion for helping or mentoring youth

How And Why Should Someone Support Project Ascent?

On our first trip to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, I overheard one of the kids confessing to a peer that he had often been told he wasn’t a candidate for physical fitness because of his weight. On his first climb of the day, he had troubles, like most first time climbers, and decided to quit half way up the climb. He sat talking for the rest of the day as we continued to encourage him to try again. It wasn’t until we were getting ready to pack up that he finally decided to give in to the encouragement.

Often getting started is one of the hardest parts for these youths.

Once he got himself off the ground his spirits slightly lifted. We all watched and yelled encouragement from the ground as he climbed to slightly over the half way mark and then he stopped. He got scared because that was the furthest he had ever been and he wasn’t used to surpassing his own expectations let alone anyone else’s. He quickly decided he was finished but I asked him to climb all the way to the top so we could get a picture. Although it took him some time to decide that he could do it, he did. The look on his face is one I will never forget. In an instant his attitude changed from “I can’t do that” to “LOOK WHAT I DID!”

He was beaming and sporting a smile from ear to ear the entire way back.

There are many reasons why someone should support Project Ascent.

To change a mindset from “I can’t” to “I did”.
To empower our youth that otherwise might not have to opportunity to understand what they are capable of.
To give a child who only knows what it’s like to sit on the couch in front of the TV the chance to sit in a harness.
To offer lifelong lessons that these kids may not be getting at home.
To put a smile on a child’s face.
To give a child the chance to trust.
To build relationships.
To be adventurous.
To change their lives for the better.

Project Ascent uses 100% of its donations and raised funds to get youth outdoors. Project Ascent is 100% volunteer based.

You Can Support Project Ascent By:

1. Monetarily through our Gofundme account. https://www.gofundme.com/r3bw3b9s8
2. By volunteering your talents. Please check Facebook page to volunteering opportunities or email us directly. www.facebook.com/Project2Ascend projectascentyouth@gmail.com
3. Helping to connect Project Ascent to the right people.

How Safe Is Project Ascent For Kids?

Safety is Project Ascent’s number one priority. While no sport is without risk, rock climbing is safe. We take every precaution related to our equipment, staff, and our participants. We use a 3 to 1 ratio of youth to guides and every rope we set is monitored by a guide. Each trip is led by a Trained Emergency Medical Technician and normally accompanied by Emergency Medical Responders and/or Paramedics.

How Are Parents Involved?

Every case is different. Our youths come from a variety of backgrounds, sometimes the parents are involved as little as signing a release. Parents are welcome to attend if the children agree. Project Ascent has found that sometimes having a parent or guardian there hinders participation and engagement of the youths.

Who Am I?

My name is Scott, but everyone calls me Scottie. I have always been most comfortable while playing outside. I began climbing in 2008 and instantly knew my passion would only grow.

I started Project Ascent because of my love for the outdoors. As a kid, I did not have access to many extra- curricular activities. Circumstances ranged from lack of money to transportation or even knowing that these kind of programs existed. This is my way of giving youth the opportunities that I wished I had access to growing up.

Nothing warms my heart more than giving a child the opportunity to experience rock climbing for free.

I have my bachelor’s degree in Youth and Family ministry because I have always had a strong passion for youth. After receiving my degree I became an EMT to ensure I am amply prepared for Project Ascents outings.

I am an outdoor enthusiast.
I am someone who thrives and draws energy from nature and all its wonders large or small.
I cherish all opportunities to share my passions and desires with others.
I am a teacher who loves watching others grow from students to teachers themselves.
I am a facilitator of adventure.
My passion for the outdoors and teaching have lead me to work with people in the outdoors as a climbing guide and youth mentor.
I am driven by the idea that I will make a difference and influence lives in a positive way.

What Are The 4 Ingredients To A Perfect Outdoor Trip With Project Ascent?

1. Friends
2. Laughter
3. Open mind
4. A touch of courage

Project Ascent: Helping Youth Experience Self-Worth, Accomplishment, Drive and Independence

Read about more awesome people whom you might now know in the HCRBeta Interviews Category.