Volunteer Feature: Henry and Erica
All of our volunteers are special, but this year we've had the privilege of working with a truly special mother-son duo: Henry and Erica. Henry is a competitive climber and middle school student, and Erica may just take the trophy for Climbing Mom of the Year.
Henry and Erica first learned about Beyond Boundaries during Henry's climbing practices at Peak Experiences.
"They used to do an adaptive climbing night on Thursdays when I had practice. I joined a club at school that required volunteer hours, and I thought I liked climbing and volunteering, so it seemed like a great fit," says Henry.
After joining a few Beyond Boundaries programs, Henry and Erica quickly saw the impact of volunteering together. Both enjoy sharing their love of climbing while helping participants discover new skills and reach new heights.
"The group with ASCV is always fun to climb with. Every participant has a different set of needs and skills, so every trip is unique. It's so rewarding to see each person approach the wall in their own way. Everyone climbs as themselves, and that's what makes the experience so inclusive," Erica says.
For Henry, one of the most fascinating parts of volunteering has been the adaptive climbing systems designed by George. As a climber himself, he enjoys seeing how the team creates systems that help people of all abilities and body types reach the top.
"It's really cool to see how everything is set up and how it works. I think it's amazing that we have something that allows anyone to climb the wall," explains Henry.
Both Henry and Erica have gone above and beyond as volunteers, building meaningful relationships with participants and making a positive impact on the climbing community.
"Having Erica and Henry at programs has been really fun and special. Erica is so kind, compassionate, and easy to get along with, and you can see those same qualities in Henry. It's wonderful to see them giving back together and building connections with participants as mother and son. Henry is incredibly encouraging and patient, and he always has the beta we need when we're stuck. I can't wait for more adventures with them," says Katie.
Henry is an incredible young man who has embraced Beyond Boundaries' values of Access, Community, and Empowerment.
"It's really fun to be part of a community of people who share similar interests and want to help others have a good time. Everyone is supportive and kind. It's cool to volunteer and help someone enjoy a climb," he says.
For Erica, watching her son experience the magic of Beyond Boundaries' climbing programs has been a reward in itself. During our interview, she made a point to recognize several members of the team for the way they approach inclusion and community.
"I think what's special about Beyond Boundaries is that they truly see everyone that way—not just participants, but family members, volunteers, staff at the climbing facility, and anyone else who happens to come along. They see everyone as full of possibilities, and they're committed to helping people realize that potential and celebrate what they're capable of. That's the real foundation of inclusivity in their approach. They bring people together around the idea of pursuing what's possible," she says.
We want to take a moment to thank Henry and Erica for their efforts and to thank all of our volunteers! Learn more about Climb Club and our other awesome volunteer opportunities.