Campers' confidence rises with each climb
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — Twelve-year-old Ben Montgomery looks up to the top of the nearly 35-foot high cliff.
Placing one foot into a crevice, he grabs a small ledge and pulls himself up.
He maneuvers along the cliffside, groping for a way to ascend higher.
Ben's climb at McConnells Mill State Park was part of Slippery Rock University's weeklong Adventure Camp for youths 12 and older.
While the Grove City boy is a veteran of ascending indoor climbing walls, this is his first nature climb.
Julie McNeil, a graduate student at the university, calls out instructions and provides encouragement while belaying, or securing, Ben's climb.
"Right foot up," she says. "There you go."Belaying entails adjusting the rope, which is hooked to the climber's harness, to create tension or slack.Along with the prerequisite helmet and harness, rock climbers wear shoes with a sticky rubber surface for a better grip.While initially unsuccessful in reaching a higher spot, Ben keeps at it. After awhile, he takes a break before trying again.During his respite, Mackenze Burkhart, 13, of Harrisville attempts the climb — quickly showing her expertise.John LaMarca, 12, of Grove City is impressed by Mackenze's performance, calling her "Spider-Man Girl."Before long, Mackenze makes it to the top to the cheers of the other campers.She then walks back down the cliff in the reclined position with her feet lined up to her eyes, which is needed for descent.Unwilling to concede victory to the cliff, Ben tries again. Methodically, he eventually reaches the top.At the adjacent cliff, roughly the same height, Steve Roberts, who conducts the camp, is belaying for Patrick Shipton, 13, of Mercer."Now jam your foot in there," Roberts says. "That's exactly the right position, Patrick. You're ready to roll."Unlike the first cliff, which has numerous footholds to use, the second one has a tricky smooth spot to overcome."You can do this, Patrick," Roberts says. "Every climb has a crux. That's when you have it made."
While the crux is too hard to overcome for Patrick this time, Roberts praises him for making the effort.Ben makes his way over to the second rock. Employing his methodical approach, he eventually conquers his second cliff for the day."You got it now, Ben," Roberts says as his camper nears the top.Even though the air is hot and humid, cool breezes can be found between the large rocks."Nature's air conditioning," Roberts says.Like Mackenze, 12-year-old Alex Shaffer is a natural climber. He bounds up the second cliffside with an ease to be envied by Peter Parker, Spider-Man's alter ego."Trust your feet, Alex," Roberts calls out. "Good job."Rock climbing was the third day of the camp, following boating at Moraine State Park and an extreme version of spelunking at Casparis Cave in South Connellsville.After the climbing winds down, Alex says he enjoyed caving the most.While having previously been in a roomier cave, Casparis was the first one in which Alex had to crawl.Participating in such activities boost the youths' confidence — one of the camp's main goals.Patrick Burkhart, Mackenze's father and a Slippery Rock geology professor, said he's seen a difference in his daughter."Kenze's self-confidence has grown, as demonstrated by her willingness to tie-in and climb a rock face without hesitation," he said.Along with building confidence, Roberts said activities such as rock climbing teach youths how to overcome fears, be willing to try new things and make new friends.Once the climbing was done, Burkhart — also known as "the rock guy" by some campers — explains to the youths the purpose of the week's activities.He tells the campers they learn to appreciate nature, "You develop reverence."A reverence, he says, the youths will be able to pass on to others. In doing so, they will be keeping the passionate credos of people such as Roberts and Burkhart alive.
