The Rock Climbing Club was originally conceived “during the summer of 2024” by the current president, junior Charlotte Berliner. She explained how the Rock Climbing Club broadens access to an expensive and somewhat inaccessible sport for high school students.
“Last year, I co-founded the MHS Climbing Club with Angela Lam, becoming President and her vice president, respectively.” Berliner had been a student of the club’s current advisor and science teacher, John Frigo. She heard him speak about his interest in rock climbing and decided to create a club for it, to which he happily agreed to advise.
Berliner had reached out to the current Vice President, junior Lam, with the opportunity since she had been a consistent member of the club, and she had “gladly accepted” since she “was really enjoying it and wanted to help out.”
“I personally did not have any experience in rock climbing before this club, but it was really fun trying something new, so I’m hoping that other people like me can find and enjoy a new hobby like I did,” Lam expressed.
Berliner is thankful the club has been possible through “the help of Darren Josey from The Great Malden Outdoors,” as he managed to find “local sponsors to provide funding for our trips to Rock Spot in Malden Center.”
The Rock Climbing Club had been working on planning an outdoor climbing event in Malden on November 2nd. Frigo stated that, due to some unforeseen circumstances, a few last-minute changes had “thrown a wrench into things,” but the event was still a success, and they were able to bring a group of students to climb outside that day.
The event was an overall success, with a turnout of eleven students who came to climb. “Our guides were extremely helpful and ensured that all of our participants had a great introduction to outdoor rock climbing.” Berliner continued, “With the overall positive experience, we are considering putting together another outdoor climbing event for any kids interested.”
Lam added, “We were secured with ropes, and it was a fun trust exercise since the climber had to depend on the belayer to make sure they wouldn’t fall, and to let them down safely afterward.”
The weekend prior, the Rock Climbing Club had held its first outdoor rock climbing trip at Waitts Mountain with the help of Willard Mountain Guides and The Great Malden Outdoors. The Great Malden Outdoors has been a great contributor to this club, assisting them on several projects, such as park cleanups and other outdoor activities.
Going back to last year, Berliner, Lam, and Frigo used their experience to create a valuable learning opportunity. They were able to find different ways to encourage students into rock climbing, because they knew how intimidating it can look.
Lam stated how she was proud of the turnout and how “seeing members going to multiple events showed me that this club is living up to its goals of introducing rock climbing to the students at MHS and that they are learning to enjoy the sport.”
“By the end of the year, we were consistently getting 10-15 students per event, exactly the number we wanted,” emphasized Berliner. She personally enjoyed “watching many of our members improve in their rock climbing throughout the year,” and it made her proud of what they have been able to accomplish as a club.
Rock Climbing is known to be rather expensive, and Frigo appreciates how not only does this club allow students to be introduced to something new, but it is also free, and they “didn’t have to worry about purchasing all the gear.”
For this upcoming year, the Rock Climbing Club has many aspirations. They hope to maintain consistent attendance and to continue the free-climb events as well. Berliner believes that these events really encourage “community” and hopes that ”the club will reach more students this year and provide a positive rock climbing experience in which students decide to continue, even outside of our club.”
“Berliner has been putting in so much work planning these events.” Lam continued to say that she is inspired by “how much passion she has for the sport,” and that she was “really grateful for everything she’s done because if she hadn’t formed this club.” She concluded, “I would have never gotten the opportunity to even try rock climbing.”
Frigo encourages anyone who is “outdoorsy and interested in rock climbing, hiking, climbing trees, climbing rocks, or being outside,” to contact him (jfrigo@maldenps.org) or the officers. (cberline27@maldenps.org) (alam27@maldenps.org)
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