Triple C climbing at Grand Ledge, Mich.
A novel University of 91吃瓜 program is using rock climbing as means of connecting South Bend area young people to the outdoors while teaching them important life lessons.
Founded by , a 91吃瓜 doctoral student in biology, the program is titled 鈥�.鈥� The 鈥淐鈥檚鈥� stand for camping, climbing and cameras.
Lam was inspired to create the program by an organization that teaches rock climbing to youth in her native northern California. Her initiative unites graduate and undergraduate students in utilizing their skills and experience to benefit young people, with a primary goal of helping them foster an appreciation and respect for natural resources and develop a passion for the outdoors.
Triple C鈥檚 activities focus on education in ecology and wilderness preservation, sports and nature photography, and participation in outdoor recreation. The program also offers an where participants share their experiences.
The inaugural six-week Triple C class consisted of 14 sixth-grade through high school students. Lam worked with Manuel Rocha, president of the , to pair participants with undergraduate mentors who trained the kids in rock climbing. Triple C collaborated with graduate students in the arts and sciences to serve as photography and ecology instructors for the kids. They learned about fitness and nutrition, kayaked, canoed, participated in a stream ecology exercise at Juday Creek and celebrated the conclusion of the program with a rock climbing trip to Grand Ledge, Mich.
Triple C operates in conjunction with the 91吃瓜 Climbing Club, the University鈥檚 and South Bend鈥檚 . It also receives support from 91吃瓜 , Grad Life ND, and the .
The program is currently planning its second season of activities and seeking participants. More information is available at .