Dogpatch Boulders is a haven for boulderers of every variety; gym rats, causal climbers, the new, the old, and the in between. But it is also a fantastic place for kids and young adults to move, climb, and challenge themselves. Since a pillar of Touchstone Climbing’s identity is active involvement in community outreach, the gym frequently invites local schools and non-profit organizations to come climbing at a discounted price.
“Bouldering is something that anybody can do,” said Dogpatch Boulders manager Justin Alarcon. “But most people find rock climbing through a friend or mentor. When someone doesn’t have the opportunity to discover the sport through their usual networks – it’s up to us to make the introduction!”
Dogpatch Boulders has been working with the June Jordan School for Equity for 2 years to bring high schoolers to the gym and introduce them to the wonderful world of bouldering.
JJSE isn’t your typical high school. “JJSE is a school for social justice. San Francisco is one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S., and one of the most unequal. Many working class families, especially African-Americans, are being driven out of the city by gentrification, and only 13 percent of San Franciscans are children, the lowest percentage of any major city in the country. And San Francisco represents a broader trend: Nationwide, the child poverty rate has increased from 12% in the 1970s to over 20% today. One in 100 American adults is incarcerated (2.3 million people)—the highest rate and number in the world. And public policy supports these trends: In California,spending on prisons has skyrocketed for decades while public school spending languishes at 49th in the nation.”
JJSE provided a free education to students, and we’re happy to help support their mission!
“This was a great opportunity for our students,” said Ben and Catalina, teachers JJSE. “The staff was awesome and super patient, they worked with the high school students to teach them the basics and then coached them throughout two-hour session.”
“The kids had a great time climbing at Dogpatch Boulders,” said Alarcon. “It’s always a blast to see the experience through the eyes of a new climber. Every new hold they grab is a victory for the whole group – it reminds you why bouldering is such a fantastic team bonding activity as well as a personal challenge.”
If you work for a non-profit or local community group – please contact Justin Alarcon to get involved at Dogpatch Boulders!
