Mission Cliffs Hosts Guadalupe Elementary School
At our Mission Cliffs gym recently, we were lucky enough to play host to a great community group that actually has close ties to Touchstone Climbing. Kent Schmitz, a part-time course setter for us in the summer and employee of Touchstone Climbing for over a decade brought by his 5th Grade class from Guadalupe Elementary School to do some climbing and enjoy a day in the gym.

Everything went great and it looks like a good time was had by all. Here's a bit of what Kent had to say about their day in Mission Cliffs:

"Indoor Climbing is such a unique experience for the students of Guadalupe Elementary. Most of my students would have had difficult time experiencing climbing at Mission cliffs without your donation. Almost all of the students that Guadalupe Elementary serves qualify for the state’s free lunch program. Without your help, I think that indoor rock climbing would not be affordable for the families of my students.

I was able to share my love for climbing with 31 of my students and 2 parents. Every one of my students tried their best and even the parents got to attempt climbing. Indoor rock climbing is valuable experiential learning for any child. It is lots of fun and helps to teach self-confidence, goal acquisition, and helps the students to conquer their fears.

I have been climbing for many years and this trip is a way for my students to experience what their teacher makes references to throughout the year. I find that success in climbing is analogous to success in many aspects of life. Therefore, when I teach, I often refer to climbing in my daily lessons. I believe that my students’ climbing experience at Mission Cliffs helps them to understand that with self-confidence and hard work, they will succeed at what ever they try.

In addition, and the part I believe is the most valuable, is that these students face their fear of heights. Facing one’s fears is an extremely important lesson for success in school and in life. When a student successfully faces their fear and succeeds, the life lesson is extremely valuable. They realize that with effort, hard work, and trust anything is possible.

On a personal level, I enjoy being remembered by my students as the 5th grade teacher who took them rock climbing. I have heard more then once from my students that the Mission Cliffs field trip was the “best field trip” they had ever been on. This is a field trip that my students will remember the rest of their life.

My students and I had a wonderful time. Thanks!"

Head over and check out the photo gallery from their day. Thanks again everyone involved, we're looking forward to your next visit!

Labels: Community Group, Events, Guadalupe Elementary School, kids, mission cliffs

  ¶ Wednesday, April 08, 2009