R.M. Pyles Boys Camp would not be able to deliver its mission without the support of so many generous individuals, companies, and foundations. Recently, the Keep Climbing Foundation became a new supporter of the Pyles Camp mission, thanks to an introduction provided by Pyles Camper Alum, Robby Boyd.
The Keep Climbing Foundation, whose members “build stronger communities by helping and inspiring people,” began a partnership with R.M. Pyles Boys Camp by generously donating $5,000. Adam Bell, Executive Director of R.M. Pyles Boys Camp said, “We are extremely grateful for the support from the Keep Climbing Foundation. The missions of the Foundation and of Pyles Boys Camp have a lot of similarities and we thank them for their partnership.”
Keith Austin, Executive Director of Keep Climbing Foundation, said “Investing in the lives of children and youth is a big motivation for Keep Climbing Foundation. We are proud to support R.M. Pyles Boys Camp as they continually build life-changing relationships and hope with each boy in their program.”
R.M. Pyles Boys Camp is a multi-year wilderness camp experience, located in the Sequoia National Forest, is a leadership program that teaches at-risk youth the values of hard work, education, respect for the environment, themselves, and each other, and making good life choices (such as staying in school, avoiding gangs and drugs). Boys participate in the program at no cost. The camp is funded entirely by charitable donations.
Since the camp’s inception in 1949, R.M. Pyles Boys Camp has served more than 28,000 California boys. Each camper has heart-wrenching stories of their struggles, such as living in neighborhoods with gang violence, attending low performing schools, and being exposed to substance abuse and domestic violence. Former campers have gone on to achieve numerous successes including becoming the first college graduate in their families, serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and returning to work at the camp as counselors.
Ruben “Gizmo” Sanchez
Former camper, Ruben Sanchez, recently said “Because of Pyles, I was able to graduate from San Diego State University with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s degree in Education, and eventually earned an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. In addition, I was recruited in 2013 to teach courses in San Diego State’s Counseling and School Psychology Program, where I continue to train new school psychologists to this day. As a school psychologist, I’ve been able to help thousands of kids find hope by using some of the same strategies Pyles once used on me.”
About the Keep Climbing Foundation
Keep Climbing Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2021 that serves children and U.S. Veterans by hosting fundraising mountain climbs for various charities year-round. Their mission is to help others overcome obstacles and reach their personal summits by raising financial support and awareness for causes that matter.
The climbs not only serve as fundraising events, but also draw attention to the causes they are undertaken for. Climbers meet personal fundraising goals ahead of each climb, then harness the attention-grabbing backdrops of stunning mountain vistas to speak to their own audiences about big causes and ways to help.
Keep Climbing Foundation events have raised more than $300,000 for Friends of Kids with Cancer, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Girls on the Run St. Louis, Operation ReConnect, Fisher House Foundation, and many other organizations serving children and Veterans.
Keep Climbing Foundation hopes to uplift communities and change lives while proving that even the tallest mountains are scalable. To learn more, visit KeepClimbingFoundation.org.