REALROCK07.
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Youth Outdoor Climbing
Supported by Since 1999 MCofS have operated a series of sessions for children aged between 7yr and 17yrs who have had some experience of climbing indoors who wish to progress to the next step and learn to lead on traditional 'gear' climbs outside. The first few years were delivered by MCofS volunteer and Sports Development Committee member Scott Muir and since then many experienced adult members (and our volunteer Area Youth Coordinators Ruairidh Mackenzie and Neal McGeechy) have helped deliver over 60 individual sessions each summer, giving children the confidence to take their climbing into the real world; climbers such as Ailine Kirkland (now leading E2), Robert Mackenzie (leading E4+) and Jonathan Stocking (leading E1). For this year there will be slight change to REALrock sessions: Scott Muir, who now operates the Extreme Dream indoor climbing wall at Aviemore, has agreed to help (again as a volunteer) to deliver a series of 3 'Scottish Youth Climbing Meets' to be held over weekends through the summer. 40 places are available on each meet which will entail a series of different workshops. Each meet will have a guest Scottish climbing superstar! A £10 cost is a donation to cover guest expenses and administration. As previously with all MCofS REALrock sessions, children must be supervised by a parent or guardian whist on the meet. Each Meet will be based at a campsite and will offer a range of activities and one meet this year will concentrate on sport climbing. Applications should be made as early as possible on the application form
SCOTTISH YOUTH CLIMBING MEETS: The third weekend meet being held by Scott Muir and Extreme Dream on behalf of the MCofS will take place at Glenmore Campsite 31st August – 2nd September ('trad', bouldering and mountaineering).
Cost: £10 per child per meet. Contact Scott Muir, Steve Hammond or Martin Middleton on 01479 812 466 for further information. REALrock evening sessions in the summer
Summer evenings in the central belt
Realrock evening sessions in Central Scotland: As places are limited, please contact Neil McGeechy at: neilmcgeachy_1@hotmail.com to check on availability before submitting an application.
Please print and complete:
One of the regular volunteers, Davy Virdee, says: One of the really rewarding aspects of being a REALrock volunteer is getting to meet students again and see how they have developed. It was fantastic climbing with Ross Kirkland and Robin Fourman for a second year and even better to see that neither their enthusiasm nor ability had tempered since last time. It's also great getting to meet and climb with some of the fantastic young climbers out there such as Lianne Smith and getting to introduce Jessica McCaskey to their first few moves on real rock! The only problem is its quite humbling realising these guys are going to breezing past me on routes in a few short years time! In the sessions I was involved in, which were the first of the summer, we spent two evenings at Traprain Law. Most of the sessions were spent re-acquainting the students with ropes, nuts, hexes and friends - how to place them and how to get them out! With the students who had climbed outdoors last year, we spent sometime reviewing anchors and more advanced rope work. We also spent time on movement skills and how to boulder safely outdoors without those nice big Ratho/Alien crash pads to fall on! Jessica McCaskey was a complete newcomer to real rock, and we had a great time ticking classics such as The Great Corner, Flake Route and Hexagon wall - which we both descended via an abseil - so it was a mini-expedition for us! REALrock is scarier than indoors - but MUCH better! Volunteers REALrock would not be possible without the voluntary help of MCofS Members who devote a lot of time at weekends and often after a full days work. We would like to thank Davy Virdee, Simon Barnes, Martin McCallum, John Orr, Mike Jeffers, Gary Wardrope, Fred Belcher, David Myatt, Stephen Kirkpatrick and particularly John McDonald who went beyond the call of duty helping on most evenings during the two weeks. There were over sixty individual sessions in 2005 with fourteen new children signing up and several from last year coming along again. With parents attending as well, it makes for a unique family activity and has encouraged parents to get climbing as well. If you would like to help as a volunteer, contact Kevin Howett at the MCofS.
2004 REALROCK report |
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