For The Adventure of a Lifetime

Climbing for Kids is not just a fundraising program – it’s an opportunity to experience unbelievable beauty, courage and inspiration. To meet new friends and give back to your community. A true chance to test the boundaries of the human spirit, all in the name of helping youth get outdoors.

“Climbing for Kids was to be my first backpacking trip-never mind mountaineering. I chose Mt. Whitney because I had never camped in the snow. It turned out to be more challenging than I could have imagined, but my confidence in our guides and the encouragement of my teammates enabled me to continue on when the climbing was hardest. The friendships that developed while training and on the mountain will last a lifetime. I reached my personal summit of 11,500 feet and came down from the mountain proud that I climbed higher than ever before and raised over $5,500. The best part was knowing that I had created opportunities for kids to develop a love for the outdoors. Thanks BAWT!”

-April Yamaichi on her first climb. April is now fundraising for her 5th CFK climb!

To Help Get Kids Outdoors

Thousands of youth in the Bay Area live in areas where access to nature is extremely limited, if none at all. Countless studies show that interaction and exposure to nature are critical in a child’s creative, social and intellectual development. Without it the likelihood of childhood obesity, depression, and learning disabilities greatly increase. Now imagine being an inner city youth, who for the very first time, gets to experience the wonder of a clear night sky or the sound of wind as it rustles through trees. This is the answer to “Why Should I Climb?”.

BAWT has reached over 14,000 kids since 1999 and we couldn’t have done it without our CFK climbers. We need you as much as the kids need us. The money you raise is used to fund BAWT programs like our free Gear Libraries, minigrants and BAWTMobiles. It also supports first-time camping experiences like our Camping at the Presidio program. For more information visit www.bawt.org.

Why Should You Climb a Mountain?

Try to picture standing on top the expansive glaciers of Mt Rainier or the active Mt Shasta volcano – overlooking an infinite landscape. Imagine feeling the sense of pure bliss and euphoria in achieving something so few people have. By climbing with us you are not only “climbing a mountain” – you are engaging in a community of kind hearted, like minded individuals who not only want to push themselves- but push the status quo for at-risk youth education.

Whether you have previous mountaineering experience or not – CFK offers you something unlike anything else in the world. And with a compassionate, knowledgeable and dedicated team of staff members and guides we are prepared to help you every step of the way.

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” – John Muir