Engaging The Next Generation of Climbers

ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLIMBERS

Thomson Ling & Penny Riordan

Flickr: michael pollak

THE FORMAT

FOCUS:PREVENTION

Flickr: .Luc.

The power of social mediaFacts:

• 1.15 billion users on Facebook• 50 million Facebook pages• 36 average number of posts a month per Facebook

page• 500 million users on Twitter• 200 million regular users on Twitter

Jason Sneakit and the Missing Signs

Flickr: liquene

Flickr: liquene

Topics of Concern

• Trespassing• Large group impacts• Etiquette• Tick marks• Dogs• Music

Flickr: liquene

Strategies for Education

• Maintain a list of crags with info– Link to list on facebook/blog

• Create a document about climbing etiquette– Engage your audience via teachable moments

Curating information from other sources to help educate your audience

Sarah Dropadeuce

Flickr: Jim Bahn

Flickr: Jim Bahn

Topics of Concern

• Human waste• Trash• Closures (Active & Where to research)• Wildlife• Gear stashing• Wilderness camping• Leave No Trace Principles

Flickr: Jim Bahn

Strategies for Education

• How much will your audience know ahead of time?– Post about seasonal closures

• Maintain a list of LNT principles online– Have LNT workshops at an adopt-a-crag event

Effectively spreading the word through LCO website

Allen & Project Runaway

Source: Thomson Ling

Source: Thomson Ling

Topics of Concern

• Development safety/knowledge• Erosion issues• Land manager/owner research• Landscaping & plant degradation• Fixed draws

Source: Thomson Ling

Strategies for Education

• Use development of crags as an educational moment.

• Share your knowledge of:– Working with landowners– Trail Maintenance

Membership vs. Social Media Reach

American Alpine Club: 10,000 membersNumber of Facebook fans: 26,000

Access Fund: 10,000 membersNumber of Facebook fans: 24,000

Earth Treks Climbing Centers: 5,000 Facebook fansMid Atlantic Climbers: 478 Facebook fans