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Group aims to take more at-risk Squamish kids out in the backcountry this summer

Climb and Conquer slated to get $6,000 from the District for its programs
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Climb and Conquer, a group that takes youth into the outdoors, was at council for the first time asking for $8,000 in grant funds to help expands its programs in Squamish. So far they are in the budget for $6,000.

The group’s goal is to expand its programs to get more vulnerable youth out into the backcountry and ascending and rappelling Squamish rock faces.

At a budget workshop just prior to the Christmas holidays, leaders from the non-profit The Climb and Conquer Project appeared before mayor and council for the first time to present their plans and request grant in aid support.

“We bring youth out climbing and do a lot of one-on-one mentorship,” Climb and Conquer’s spokesperson, Joseph Wong, told The Squamish Chief.  

The group has run two or three summer youth camps in Squamish for the past two years, but are now looking to expand to 13 weekend camps to bring in more vulnerable youth, Wong said. About 30 youth from Grades 7 to 12 camp per weekend.

“We set up camp and then we bring them camping and climbing and rappelling. We cook together and play games,” he said.

The young people are referred to the camps by social workers, counsellors or from the schools.

“Our real vision for the programs that we run is to provide opportunities for kids who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Either they don’t have enough money for programs… or they don’t have the parental support,” said Jeff Yoo, one of the directors on the Climb and Conquer board and an emergency physician in Vancouver.

Surprisingly, even though these youth live in Squamish, the camps are often the first time they go camping, hiking or climbing.

“It was just amazing to be able to spend time with these kids,” Yoo said, speaking of last summer’s camp.

The group also partners with the Grand Wall Bouldering Cooperative downtown so the youth can climb indoors as well.

The programs are free for the youth, and so far have received limited funding primarily from the Federation of Mountain Clubs of B.C.

Squamish council is still reviewing the budget, but so far the Vancouver-based Climb and Conquer is earmarked to receive $6,000 in grant in aid for its Squamish programs.  The final budget will likely be adopted sometime in March, according to district staff.

So far, council has allotted $210,000 for grant in aid to Squamish community groups.

Other groups slated to receive funds include The Squamish Mountain Bike Festival Society (Spakwus 50) for $2,500, The Squamish Hospice Society for $10,000 and Squamish Off Road Cycling Association for $75,000.

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