Special needs group learns lessons from rock climbing

A group of special needs teens and adults spent their morning rock climbing and supporting each other. This activity helps those with both physical and developmental disabilities. Problem solving is one of the lessons rock climbing can develop.

“Just take a break,” said Aaron Beck, one of the rock climbers. “And kind of, whenever I started to think that I wasn’t gonna make it, I just look at the different spots and be like okay, what’s gonna work the best. And I just think about it while I’m on the ground, I think of the best route.”

It also gave this group a chance to branch out.

“It also gives a lot of our participants to do something that they normally wouldn’t do otherwise,” said Allison Coltes, Rexburg regional manager for Habilitation Advocacy and Support. “So it helps to build that sense of self-esteem and satisfaction in their abilities.”

The event was put on by Courageous Kids Climbing, a group of out McCall, Idaho. Their goal is to build confidence in those with special needs.

“It’s just neat to see somebody smile because they got to do something they’ve never done before,” said Jeff Riechmann, co-founder of Courageous Kids Climbing. “To see an individual that’s afraid of heights and they climbed to the top of the climbing wall, you know, that’s pretty miraculous. And that’s the reward behind all of it.”

Participants not only got to try something new, but they also got a chance to hang out with friends.

“It’s probably one of my favorite past times,” Beck said. “And that, just seeing everybody that I have as friends and all my favorite people here. It’s just that it’s kind of fun to see them enjoying life.”

Courageous Kids Climbing is putting on another event Sunday at The Rock Gym in Rigby from 10 am to noon.