Climbers help community

The University Recreation Center and the Adventure Program staff will sponsor the fourth annual Adopt-A-Crag community service event. The program organizes students who go to a local site to help preserve a rock climbing location.

Adopt-A-Crag is one of many events sponsored by Access Fund, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve rock climbing sites.

This year, the day will focus on digging a new trail for Rawley Springs Bouldering Area, since the old trail is less accessible to the crag and goes through private property.

"We usually get all of our staff involved, a lot of participants involved," said Steve Bobbitt, Adventure Program coordinator. "We’re just trying to encourage anybody interested in the outdoors, and would love for them to come out and work with us." The Adventure Program staff has collaborated with other rock climbing related organizations in preserving numerous sites.

Eric Deschamps, a graduate assistant of the Adventure Program, said, "The problem is that rock climbing is still a small sport. We have to be careful where to climb because there aren’t that many places here [at which to do it]."

Lester Cook, department chair of physical education and recreation at Eastern Menonite University, said, "We want to develop a positive relationship with landowners and to show that climbers and hikers care about the environment."