Kinship Climbing Collective
2019 & 2021 Grant Recipient of $5,000
About Kinship Climbing Collective
Kinship Climbing Collective (KCC) works to empower NYC high school girls and gender expansive youth through indoor and outdoor rock climbing adventures that build community, cultivate confidence, nurture leadership skills and foster a deep respect for the natural world. The organization’s programs are offered tuition-free to all participants! KCC was founded in 2017 and relies on a cadre of 25+ volunteer mentors to bring its programs to life. Since its launch two years ago, KCC has grown from serving 10 girls at one high school to serving more than 40 participants from 10 NYC public high schools. Of 33 mentees in 2022, 31 are youth of color.
"Over the course of a school year, our girls transform into strong and confident rock climbers capable of scaling cliffs the size of city buildings. They learn to support each other and communicate effectively, and are given the opportunity to experience the outdoors in a truly unique and meaningful way."
Alexis Krauss
Co-Founder, Kinship Climbing Collective
Girls Seeing Themselves as Climbers and Leaders
A 2022 grant from The Cairn Project will continue to provide core support to Kinship Climbing Collective (formerly Young Women Who Crush), and particularly will fund costs associated with out of town climbing + learning excursions, including transportation, gear, and licensed guides. These trips are often the first outdoor foray for participants beyond city parks – this year, Kinship will organize a winter hiking and snowboarding trips within a couple hours of NYC; two outdoor climbing trips to The Gunks in the warmer weather; and a return to Rummey, New Hamphire for three days of climbing and camping.
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