Keep Calla climbing

[joeyshoe]

https://vimeo.com/user50009658
https://www.instagram.com/callaclimbs/

I am reaching out to this awesome community asking for help to keep my daughter climbing. She has recently started on a competitive climbing team and there are financial commitments that we can not afford. Mainly, equipment, competition fees and travel cost. I have set up a GoFundMe page for her. If you can help by taking a look or passing on the link or info to someone who may be able or interested in helping, we would greatly appreciate it. She is an amazing little girl. I've posted about her here in the past. She's been shooting pistols and rifles for awhile. She helps at home with her 4 younger siblings. My income just isn't enough to cover all of our needs plus all the extra curricular things our children are interested in.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

https://www.gofundme.com/23t76pp8

[joeyshoe]

Anything is greatly appreciated!

[Monky]

I used to climb a lot. It only gets more expensive. Just wait till she's lead climbing and gets some cams stuck and can't retrieve them.

I'll see if I have anything left over.. i've donated most of it. I might have some biners, maybe some ascenders, belay devices and those stupid expensive locking biners..

[joeyshoe]

That would be amazing! We would definitely take gear donations as well! Thanks monky!!

[J]

Any chance you can lay out things she needs for climbing here. The gofundme is pretty vague. Maybe we can get people donating specific things here, new or otherwise.

[joeyshoe]

Yeah, she's mainly bouldering but is competing in top rope as well. She has a harness and chalk bag. Part of the issue is just not having enough money to cover travel costs even so the monetary donations are helpful there but as far as gear needs...

crash pad
helmet
rope
lead climbing gear (not a climber so I don't know specifics)

Thanks guys!

[hurley842002]

Are there any fundraising opportunities she could participate in? I know it's hard these days, as it seems you can't even set up a children's lemonade stand without prior approval from the FDA, EPA, IRS, City council, etc. I just remember when I was getting more serious about motocross, my parents couldn't afford some of the expenses, but I'd collect soda can's in my off time, and I usually raised enough to fill my dad's truck up, to get us to PMI in Pueblo. Just a thought.

[milwaukeeshaker]

If she can't afford it, maybe she should not be doing it. Sorry to say that, but that is how it was when I grew up and when my kids grew up, couldn't pay for it, couldn't do it. Disappointment is a part of life. This is hardly a charitable circumstance.

[joeyshoe]

Agreed, this isn't a critical situation. The fact that I can't afford to get all my children into the activities they want to participate in sucks but it's my reality. They are good kids that are far from spoiled. I am thankful for those that have been generous and helped me provide an option for my kids that is positive and beneficial. Disappointment is a part of their lives and as a father, I just want to be able to help alleviate some of that. We have already considered withdrawing from some of her competitions and climbing disciplines to focus our resources more specifically. Thank you all for your comments and input.

[hurley842002]

Agreed, this isn't a critical situation. The fact that I can't afford to get all my children into the activities they want to participate in sucks but it's my reality. They are good kids that are far from spoiled. I am thankful for those that have been generous and helped me provide an option for my kids that is positive and beneficial. Disappointment is a part of their lives and as a father, I just want to be able to help alleviate some of that. We have already considered withdrawing from some of her competitions and climbing disciplines to focus our resources more specifically. Thank you all for your comments and input.

Either way, I wish your daughter all the success she strives for, she looks and sounds like an awesome little gal. I know what it's like to be a youngster and not be able to follow your dreams, so I don't wish that on her. I hope you guys can find a way to keep her going.

[joeyshoe]

She's been turned down for lemonade stands at all the locations she has inquired about. She is an awesome kid and I am doing my best to make sure she (and all my other kids) do better in life (at least financially) than me. Thankful for this community!

[Great-Kazoo]

She's been turned down for lemonade stands at all the locations she has inquired about. She is an awesome kid and I am doing my best to make sure she (and all my other kids) do better in life (at least financially) than me. Thankful for this community!

Yet, if she rolled a cooler around selling burritos, there's be no issue. Maybe there's a few guns or other items you could sell?

[vim]

Yeah, she's mainly bouldering but is competing in top rope as well. She has a harness and chalk bag. Part of the issue is just not having enough money to cover travel costs even so the monetary donations are helpful there but as far as gear needs...

crash pad
helmet
rope
lead climbing gear (not a climber so I don't know specifics)

Thanks guys!

First of all, congrats on her finding something she both enjoys and is good at.

The Colorado youth competition climbing community is a good group of people. Supportive of each other in a genuine way, etc. Very different from the dog-eat-dog soccer world. So you understand where I'm coming from, I was involved with youth climbing here for a decent amount of time, organized/ran some comps, was a national finals judge for USA Climbing, burned all my vacation time going to bouldering and sport nationals, and a few continental championships. Saw my kiddo in some heart-breaking moments and also on the podium with a U.S. flag behind her. (If this is ringing a bell with anyone, IM me and say howdy.)

Yeah, money. Heh.

For climbing in the gym, she needs a harness, belay device, and shoes. And a chalk bag. As the comps and raffles go by, she'll surely win a "few" chalk bags. Maybe even win a crash pad or rope. Some of the equipment donors to raffles are pretty generous. After all, that little kid with the big eyes who just won a rope may be the future of the sport.

For bouldering outside, she can skate without the crash pad if it's team stuff or part of a group. If you're just going out as a family, get the crash pad.
For sport leading outside, the helmet's not really optional, though they can get passed around to whomever is tying in. Quickdraws are easily passed from the harness of the person untying to the harness of the person tying in. So, basically, she doesn't really need a lot right now.

Traveling to comps can be challenging for some families. Carpooling is an important strategy, even if just to help them have more fun and stay unstressed on the drive to Albuquerque or Vail or Gunnison or Phoenix or wherever the comps are in any year.

The big thing, Dad -- and this one is from the heart -- is the invisible pressure our unspoken expectations and hopes can put on them. I did not realize just how stressed my daughter was, in an isolation-format big event, until after she retired. If I had known, I would have tried more to care less about whether she stood on the top step or got a national team jacket. I'm not sure I did my best for her in that regard.

I know some great people your way and throughout the state, families who include national champions, World Cup climbers, and good values. Hit me up if you want to talk more.

[joeyshoe]

Thanks Vim! She is a USA climbing member and is working her way to regionals in a few weeks. I will definitely get in touch with you later and pick your brain a bit on the subject at hand. I appreciate the advice and the personal experience you shared.