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