Climbing
Students learn basic climbing safety and techniques as they build confidence climbing. Outdoor climbers can connect to the landscape in ways that are otherwise impossible without ropes.
Program Partners
YMCA Climbing
In partnership with the Whatcom YMCA and the Bellingham Mountaineers, Vamos offers indoor climbing year-round for participants. Students learn basic climbing safety and techniques as they build confidence climbing on the Y’s walls. Thanks to the Bellingham Mountaineers for providing trained belayers to support the program! YMCA climbing happens weekly in winter, spring, and fall. Each participant gets 4 visits to the climbing wall. This program is currently unfunded. The YMCA provides wall access as an in-kind donation. Vamos participants who complete this program are able to take part in outdoor climbing excursions to Mount Erie in the summer.
Vital Climbing
In partnership with VITAL climbing gym, Vamos offers indoor bouldering year-round for participants. Bouldering is a great way for participants to challenge themselves, develop their spatial awareness, and play with their friends. Students learn bouldering basics, such as how to lower risk of injury through proper falling technique. Vamos visits VITAL once a month on Fridays when the Public Schools have teacher workdays (also known as purple fridays) with 10 participants per visit. This program is currently unfunded. VITAL provides access to the gym and shoe rentals as an in-kind donation. Thanks to the program’s long-time volunteers for supporting Vamos participants in safely learning to boulder! It is so fun to watch participants support each other as they learn how to balance on the slackline.
outdoor Climbing
In partnership with the Bellingham Mountaineers and American Alpine Institute, Vamos offers introductions to outdoor climbing at Mount Erie in the summer. Outdoor climbers can connect to the landscape in ways that are otherwise impossible without ropes. Participants get to challenge their fears while looking out over the Puget Sound. Mount Erie is a world-class crag for beginning climbers. Vamos visits Mount Erie 1-3 times a year with 13 participants, depending on the scheduling opportunities with program partners. The Mountaineers and AAI provide their services as an in-kind donation, but the program is otherwise unfunded.Please let us know if you would like to support the program by volunteering as a belayer!
Thank you for interest in this program!
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