Will Climb For Kids

A Few Days Left

2008-12-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

We still have $1,200 available to be matched from an anonymous donor! And there are still $1,000 matching grants available [pledge to donate a $1,000 and that $1,000 will be matched by the end of the year]. Please contact Kristy or Shooter for more details - orizabaorbust at gmail dot com.

Thank you!

The Illustrious Match

2008-11-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm stoked! We have two matching opportunities...

One, from an anonymous donor - willing to match donations up to $5,000. So your $10 becomes $20...

Aaaand, we have a limited number of $1,000 matching grants from our Into the Wild event in September. This means if you donate $1,000 -- as an individual OR as a group, in one payment OR broken up into monthly payments (I donated $1,000 as $20/mo for 4 years - that's like 3 beers, or 6 soy capps :)) -- it will be matched for BAWT this year. This is HUGE!

$1,000 = 17 kids outdoors (that could be an entire class).

Again, donations in any amount are much much appreciated. Please know, truly, every little bit counts and helps!

Thanks!

This crazy little thing called BAWT

2008-11-07T02:42:00.000-08:00

This is what it's all about, this is what BAWT does (and does well)...

The + 1 Challenge

2008-10-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

My goal of the $18,490 is $10K, yes $10 G's. Easiest/best way I see this happening is 500 people giving $20 each. That's it. $20. 500 people. Wait, what(!?)...

In order to reach that goal, I'm asking for your help. I'll need your help! The challenge...to donate $20 to the cause AND recruit one more person to donate $20 (assuming it's someone you can ask to do the same, even better - kinda pyramid-ish I know :)).

Have 5 friends donate...your $20 turns into $100. (Who needs some big fancy corporate/anonymous donor to match gifts, when we have crowdsourced micro fundraising?!)

Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter people (we know who you are), please consider posting to your status, sending a bulletin, tweeting, etc. Use your networks. This is what the social web is all about!

Of course, larger donations are appreciated and welcome (if you mussst). But truthfully, how AWESOME to be a part of demonstrating the power of community, how little actions can collectively have BIG impact. [And, not to mention, we'd definitely be breaking some Climbing for Kids donation records!]

Who's going to be your +1?

Rock on. Gracias.

Fundraising by the Foot

2008-10-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Shooter and I have changed our fundraising goal...$18,490. That is $1 per foot. Who's going to sponsor the summit!?!

Shooter who? A word from KG...

2008-10-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

Before I go much further, a word about the person I've been fated to climb with, and it's significance to this trip, and to me. This man I know named Shane "Shooter" Nelson.

First, I should of known something was up when Shane resurfaced this summer. He always (always) comes/goes at very transitional points in my life.

Flashback to September 2001. My very first trip as a ("professional") outdoor educator. I found this in a journal I had back then (please bear with the choppiness, I edited in interest of length/relevance/depreciated writing skills - not that they're much better now ;))...

9/26/01
So, last week I spent in Big Bear working with the 7th grade Francis Parker Orientation for Azure. This was the first program I've worked for this company. Among the people who I met and worked with was this guy Shane who came with his dog Bridger and a positive energy. He went around with these value cards for people to pick - I chose Intention... Then at the end of the week, on the last day after sharing my experience of my dynamic group of kids with him, he told me to pick another card... this card, he said, would be what I taught those kids this week, even if I didn't know it. My card was New Beginnings...

...A common theme that came up was family and friends and influences in our lives... Obviously there are too many to name... but for all these people, I am thankful. God has definitely put many special people in my life.

From 9/27/01
...Back to thinking about the Parker program, I don't want to forget about Shane's story about his friend, Sean Logan and his sort of vision/quest to become a man.

...In short, from what I remember, Sean faced a bear that represented himself, all his fears, and reflecting him. Once he accepted that this bear was a manifestation of the monsters inside of him and resolved to face them, the bear transformed to a beautiful Native American woman. He realized that he needed love in his life...

Little did I know what those New Beginnings would entail...

It was just one month later, my epic Joshua Tree "adventure" happened [getting lost with five (awesome) 7th grade girls (at night) in the Wonderland of Rocks - those ladies are still legends of the school, btw]. Man. That trip changed my life. Most definitely, a New Beginning. It was then I truly realized the value of the outdoors, and the experiential learning happening on both sides (instructor and student).

More Shooter and outdoor adventure/learning stories to come, don't you worry. But thought this was an important one to start with.

Here I am, about to turn 30, and gearing up to open another chapter in my life. It only seems kismet Shane Shooter Logan Nelson is with me to usher it in... Here's to New Beginnings!

It's ON.

2008-10-22T03:21:00.000-07:00

Hi folks. So it's already Oct. 20. Just about a month away... Shooter is back in Colorado, KG still here in SF. Honestly, I've been slacking on the fundraising. Nelson is definitely ahead of me on that front. However, fear not... I'm feeling ambitious and passionate. Not to mention Shooter has thrown out a new challenge.

Instead of the 15K we were originally going for...one-hundred-fifty-thousand. Yup, you read that right - $150K. Why? Because, why NOT?! This organization rocks. The work they do is necessary, the way they do it is exponentially beneficial. This trip is meaningful. I say we go for it. What is it? Go big, or go home?? Well...

How are we going to get there? We have some ideas... :)

HOW IT WORKS..

2008-09-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Kristy Graves and Shane "SHOOTER" Nelson have pledged $150,000 to BAWT (see below). To raise this, they are climbing Pico de Orizaba -- an 18,495ft glacier covered volcano in Mexico.

By sponsoring them you are supporting urban youth venturing into the great outdoors. ALL proceeds go to BAWT.

Kristy and Shooter have dedicated their climb to Greg Walker, a good friend and a great young man who died attempting to summit Orizaba in 1998. This is the 10 year anniversary of Greg's passing

This trip also coincides with Kristy's 30th birthday. This climb is in celebration, dedication, and much gratitude for all the incredible people, teachers, family, friends, and experiences in her life.

We hope you consider helping their cause. It can truly change the lives of some very deserving young students.

PS...if you know Shooter, you know he doesnt have $150,000.

THE CLIMB:

2008-09-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

PICO de ORIZABA.....OR.....CITLATEPETL "STAR MOUNTAIN".

Our expedition will take place from November 26th-December 8th.

Orizaba stands at 18,490ft, the highest in all of Mexico and the third highest in North America. Its a sleeping volcano that last erupted in 1687. Its first recorded climb was in 1848 by F. Maynard and G. Renyolds.

It is the highest peak between Columbia and the Yukon. Its peak is visible in the gulf of Mexico 75 miles away giving it its world rankings as: 2nd most prominent volcano (Kilimanjaro is the first); 7th in topographical prominence; and 16th for its topographical isolation.

It's big, it's icy, and it's a long way from anything.

The Aztecs named it Star Mountain due to the fact that when the sun reflected off its icy summit, it shined like a star.

THE SUMMIT:

We will leave from about 14,000ft at around 1:30am and plan on returning from the top in under 22 hours.

IN HONOR OF GREG WALKER 1974-1998

2008-09-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

Greg Walker was a gift. He was a man who changed the world around him...just by showing up. He was a Bronco fan and a one woman man.

Greg left Durango Colorado; his new fiance, his family and his friends in pursuit of something. He never returned. He disappeared on the mountain after turning back from his summit attempt.

Word of this soon reached our town.

At that time there was no internet, no cell phones, no e-mail...nothing except long distance phone calls and information passed from one circle to another.

There were vigils. There was faith like I had never witnessed before. There was hope and there was so much love for those it affected most.

Gregs disappearance and death did something to me. It helped me be a better man, a better friend and a much more compassionate human being. He also showed me that the drummer I was moving too....could play a much better song.

It was months before he was pronounced dead. His body was finally recovered and returned home to Ignacio.

Greg's memorial service was magical. There was laughter, tears, more laughter, music, there were a thousand toasts and raised pints, there were people from everywhere....and there was LOVE.

His service was one long act of LOVE.

He united us in celebration. Hippies, feminists, jocks, drunks, stoners, cooks, bartenders, skiers, snowboarders, old, young, cowboys, indians....all of us were one when it came to that day. That is when I learned the power of a life. 23 years old and he had done that much already....I love him still.

He had taught me about living and he taught me about death......he was a teacher in every way.

Until his body was found, I know many of us were not convinced. He could easily have become the chief of some tribe.......gone off to study with a jungle shaman; learned how to cure cancer, become immortal and unlock the secrets of this universe that was truly too small for him. Actually, that still sounds about right.

His journey to Orizaba was a classic example of who he was and how he did it. His long black hair, his big smile, his way of moving through the world was different....he just did it better than most.

His drummer was a rocker for sure. The beat he heard, we all wish we had more of.

This climb is for him. This climb is because of him. My wish is to honor Greg and all those who still feel the loss of someone so pure. I love you all....he was one of the teachers who showed us how......to just be happy.

I believe Greg would love this....getting children into nature. It is in his name, that it shall be done.

"One bourbon, one scotch and one beer" he ordered from me more than once...I always laughed my ass off, and Greg would always wake up in the park.

Horns to you Greg Walker, HORNS TO YOU.

THE CAUSE:

2008-09-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

CLIMBING FOR KIDS is the fundraising aspect for BAY AREA WILDERNESS TRAINING (BAWT)

bawt.org

BAWT is a first rate non-profit orginization that trains wilderness leaders to safely and successfully lead outdoor/wilderness trips for inner-city students. They also provide quality clothing, gear and supplies.

Funding, propperly trained leaders and functional gear has always been the hardest aspect of outdoor education. BAWT provides all three of these components that can make or break a childs experince.

BAWT is opperated by some of the finest people we have met working in the outdoor industry. Integrity, dedication and a true commitment to getting students outside is their only agenda. Both Kristy and myself believe in BAWT and everyone involved with them.

Our experience with their staff has reignited my fire. It has restored a faith that was beginning to dwindle after 12 years in the buisness.

THE STUDENTS:

BAWT Students are facing an enviroment as deadly as any in our country. Murder, sexual abuse, gangs, violence, education, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, malnutrition and dysfunctional famlies all pose obsticles much greater than any mountain for them to overcome. The fortitude and resilance in these young warriors inspires Kristi and myself beyond description. There are so many causes to stand for in this country and the world. This is ours and we are standing strong for it. There is nothing that to compares to; the look in their eye, the "thank you", the hug or the tears of gratitude they shed when they have been given a safe place to be themselves. The wild is that place..... It is up to all of us to get them there.