While some students may use time away from school to catch up on homework or relax with friends, University student Heather Brule does something else.
She teaches rock climbing to middle schoolers. Brule is part of a group of University students and community members which works to run indoor rock climbing walls in Eugene public middle schools.
“Climbing is a valuable way to exercise and develop character,” Brule said.
The addition of rock walls is new this year, thanks to funding from a grant and cooperation between the Riverhouse and the 4J school district. Now, all the public middle schools in Eugene have indoor climbing walls where students can go after school and learn to climb.
The Riverhouse is part of the City of Eugene’s Outdoor Program. It offers about two-thirds of its programs for youth and the other third for the general community. The Riverhouse also facilitates part of the city’s after-school program by providing opportunities to go rock climbing, kayaking or skateboarding.
Brule started with the Riverhouse when she was 14 by participating in some of the climbing trips and Deschutes river rafting trips the program offered.
“The instructors encouraged me to start volunteering,” Brule said. “They put a lot of responsibility on the participant.”
Besides focusing on the physical skills needed to participate in outdoor sports, the program focuses on the leadership and character-building aspects inherent in outdoor recreation. The principle is generally called “challenge by choice.” The participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their experience and personal growth throughout the program. They are able to push themselves in new experiences as much as they feel comfortable.
The Riverhouse also offers high-school leadership programs for women and multicultural students, designed to enable students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills.
Brule is now a climbing instructor and river guide. She said besides the youth, the community of employees is the best part about working there.
“The people are really supportive and have really good values about working with youth. There’s a lack of the macho, ‘safety sucks’ attitude,” she said.
The Riverhouse also offers programs and trips for the general public. It has extensive canoeing, kayaking, rafting and climbing programs and winter trips to snowshoe, cross country ski and telemark ski.
They also bring exceptional outdoor athletes to teach, including Brooke Winger, the world freestyle kayaking champion who will be at the Riverhouse this summer to teach women’s and teen kayaking clinics. Additionally, the middle school rock walls are open for community climb once a week for free climbing and instruction. All of the Riverhouse’s activities are posted on the City of Eugene’s Web site under the recreation section.
“I like seeing people get a ton out of it,” Brule said. “The youth get so much confidence and skills.”