IRCS and BRG (June 13, 2007)
Today, the Boston Rock Gym announced that they will enlist the International Rock Climbing School to oversee all youth climbing programs at BRG. While this will not have much effect on current IRCS students, Charles Lamb has included the "Frequently Asked Questions" below. Please let him or Aleksey know if you have any questions.
Q: What is being announced?
A: The BRG is turning over all youth climbing programs to the International Rock Climbing School (IRCS), under the direction of Aleksey Shuruyev.
Q: Why is this significant?
A: IRCS is the premier youth climbing program in the northeast US. Its philosophy and methods has produced exceptional results since it was founded in 1999. What is notable is Mr. Shuruyev’s ability to teach multiple climbing disciplines to youth of ages 5 to 19. IRCS has programs that emphasize alpinism and mountaineering, standard climbing skills, and competition sport and bouldering. BRG is pleased to be able to offer IRCS programs as the exclusive provider of youth climbing education at their gym.
Q: Why are BRG and IRCS making this move?
A: Both BRG and IRCS are taking a long-term view to improve their respective “climbing domains”. Chris O’Connell (President of BRG) seeks to make BRG the premier facility for youth climbing in the region and Aleksey seeks to bring his proven climbing programs to a wider and more diversified set of youth. In speaking about the new relationship, O’Connell said “We think this will bring a new level of quality and consistency to our already exceptional youth programs. Everyone at BRG is very excited about this!”
Q: What programs will be offered?
A: IRCS will continue to offer the Team Waimea competitive climbing program, the Cliffhangers youth program and these will absorb the BRG Climbing Team and Youth Clinic programs starting September 1, 2007. Around November 1, 2007, IRCS will take on the BRG Kid’s Day program and restructure it to encourage improvement of participant’s skills over the long term. Eventually, IRCS will oversee the BRG Birthday Party programs (slated for January 1, 2008). The Alpina and Allpina Junior programs are focused on traditional mountaineering and alpine style climbing skills enrichment for all ages. Program descriptions are available on http://www.climbingschool.org.
Q: What is Aleksey’s background?
A: Aleksey started climbing as a teenager, in the Caucasian Mountains near his hometown of Krasnodar. Since then, he has had 20 years of climbing and mountaineering experience in the Caucasus, Crimea, Yosemite, U.S. Rocky Mountains, New England and Alaska. A teacher by education, he’s worked with children of all ages; for the past 15 years, he’s developed safety-conscious, well-rounded climbing and other outdoor programs for youngsters and the young at heart. His students compete at the regional, divisional and national levels and climb all grades from 5.0 to 5.14. Aleksey is a graduate of the Appalachian Mountain Club Leadership School and is also CPR and first aid certified. He graduated from Kiev University with an MA degree in History. He founded IRCS in 2000 and has grown it to 60 students.
Q: What are Aleksey’s philosophies towards training, teaching, and climbing?
A: IRCS believes the best way for a student to learn and truly understand rock climbing is by following a long-term, highly structured educational program. Unlike many other activities open to children, rock climbing cannot be adequately learned in a weekend or a few weeks during the summer. Rather, students must study and experience the obstacles and complexities of safe climbing over a much longer period: a period extending even into years. Only through extended and determined study can a child gain the confidence and develop the communication skills necessary to lead or even simply undertake a safe wilderness expedition. With this in mind, the IRCS offers a graduated program along which students will be able to both mark their progress from novice scrambler to expert climber and achieve a comprehensive and detailed outdoor education.
Q: Who will staff and coach the programs?
A: The current IRCS staff will continue to teach the Team Waimea and Cliffhangers programs. As these two programs grow, IRCS will incorporate BRG instructors into the program by teaching them the IRCS methods, techniques, and philosophies. Later on in the school year, when the Kid’s Day and Birthday Party programs are brought under the IRCS umbrella, additional instructors will be staffed and trained. IRCS will be responsible for all instruction and oversight of the youth programs.
Q: Will existing IRCS classes get larger?
A: In general, class sizes will remain approximately the same. Student/instructor ratios will remain the same as they are today.
Q: What are the prices and schedules of the programs?
A: Team Waimea will continue to meet from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The price is $190 per month per student and includes gym membership from September 4, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Cliffhangers for ages 11 and under will meet Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Cliffhangers for ages 12 and older will meet Mondays and Wednesday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Friday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Cliffhanger students may select a once-a-week option for $150 per month per student or a twice-a-week option for $225 per month per student. Team Waimea Junior (ages 10 and under) will meet from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursdays for $150 per month per student. Alpina classes will meet on Tuesday evenings at BRG from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Friday afternoon (outdoors) from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and will cost $230 per month per student. Alpina Junior (age 11 and younger) will meet on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:00pm and will cost $150 per month per student.
Q: Will I pay BRG or IRCS for the programs?
A: All payments will be through IRCS.
Q: How will I know which program is right for my climber?
A: In general, BRG Team members will become members of Team Waimea and BRG Youth Clinic participants will move to the IRCS Cliffhangers program. More information is available on the IRCS website. If you still have questions, you can talk to Aleksey. All current BRG Team and Youth Clinic program participants are invited to the IRCS End Of Year party on June 16th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at BRG (see Aleksey or the IRCS web site for details).
