FREE event for kids who are blind!
McCall, Idaho-based Courageous Kids Climbing provides FREE opportunities for kids of all ages with special needs – physical or intellectual – to experience rock wall climbing at events held throughout Idaho (Boise, Ketchum, Meridian, Post Falls, Twin Falls) and Washington (Auburn, Bothell, Longbranch, Pullman, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Yakima) with semi-annual stops in Las Vegas, Nevada and Bakersfield, California and an annual visit to Prescott, Arizona. People who are blind or visually impaired are encouraged to participate in these events. (Ask us about our FREE school programs and ice skating opportunities!)
Climbing On Stuff is our program that provides FREE opportunities for school-age kids who are blind to look at things that they may not normally have the opportunity to check out. In the past in northern Idaho, the kids have looked at racecars, learned about law enforcement and spent an afternoon with the Nez Perce tribe. In southern Idaho, the kids have looked at an A-10 fighter jet, UH-60 helicopter, army tanks, smokejumpers, racecars and learned about law enforcement. And in California, the kids have checked out an F-16 and F-35 fighter jets at Edwards Air Force base.
In 2025, registration is now open for the following events:
June 7 – Learning about the Nez Perce tribe at Lapwai (Lewiston), Idaho. This event is being sponsored by the Disability Action Center – NW!
July 12 – Checking out Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Meridian, Idaho. This will include getting some time on the motorcycle simulator!
July 16 – Spending the afternoon with the Spokane Valley Police Department learning about law enforcement and checking out their vehicles.
November 8 – As guests of the Vintage Auto Racing Association (VARA), the kids will have the opportunity to check out various racecars at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, California, just north of Lancaster.
All these events are FREE! The events are limited to ten participants, so early registration is encouraged. Our priority is to include school-age children in these events. However, if we do not get ten kids to sign up, then we will open the event to adults. Any registrations / reservations that we receive from adults will be placed on a waiting list.
You MUST have a reservation to participate in the event! Please email courageouskidsclimbing@gmail.com to receive a registration packet. Be sure to mention which event you are interested in participating in. (To receive a registration packet, please email courageouskidsclimbing@gmail.com.)
We are also looking for sponsors to help cover the expenses associated with organizing and conducting these events. Courageous Kids Climbing is a nonprofit registered in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Nevada. (No one at Courageous Kids Climbing receives compensation!)
Please pass this email along to any individuals or organizations who may be interested!
Thank you!
Jeffrey A. “Jeff” Riechmann, SMSgt, USAFR (Ret)
Firefighter Emeritus, Kern County (CA) Fire Department
Executive Director
Courageous Kids Climbing
300 Mountain Cove Court
McCall, Idaho 83638-4501