Our new year of programs started on an exciting foot! A rare snowstorm in the region a few days before our first 2025 Climb for Courage (CFC) weekend dumped over 8 inches of snow on the greater Virginia Beach area. But the winter weather couldn't deter this New England One Summit crew from flying down to host our programs. We flew in just after the storm, and while the snow slowly began to melt and the town worked to clear the streets, our team prepared for an exciting kickoff to our year of programs.
This Climb for Courage had a fantastic turnout consisting of an incredible group of 17 Little Warriors, 17 Navy SEAL mentors, and 6 Team Leaders and volunteers. We even had a One Summit first—a Navy SEAL mentor both volunteering as a mentor and taking part as a father to two of our participating Little Warriors. His daughter had rung the bell, signaling the end of her cancer treatment, a few weeks prior to Climb for Courage! After a family discussion with his kids, it was decided that this mentor dad would mentor another child, and his kids would each have other mentors of their own. The family wanted to meet new friends and fully embrace the CFC experience, something that was very special to witness.
After the opening matching ceremony, our five teams got to work coming up with some strong team names. This time, our teams were the Mining Sonic LEGOs, the Ninja Rockstars, The Zookeepers, the Summit Bulldozers, and the Purple Turtles! Once the teams had decided on their names, each Little Warrior spent time with their mentor brainstorming to create their goals for the day ahead. Some of their goals set included:
- "Climb to the top!"
- "Get better at climbing."
- "Get to the top on as many walls as possible."
- "Try and climb!"
- "Get halfway up the wall."
- "Climb as much as possible!"
Once the goals had been solidified, it didn't take long before the climbers and mentors were already reaching the top of walls, racing each other up the bouldering holds, playing tag, and building LEGO creations at our building activity station. Our friends and Virginia area Pass the Bricks ambassadors, Francisco and family, generously put together, donated, and even hand-delivered these LEGO kits for our Climb for Courage weekend. The day flew by in a flurry of smiles, laughs, and cheers as goals were met and surpassed.
In a final ceremony that solidified the bonds formed throughout the program, their mentor awarded each Little Warrior a Trident pin, a powerful symbol for all Navy SEALs. In what could become a new tradition, in their own words, each child shared with the crowd of parents and caregivers a favorite moment or takeaway from their experience. The ceremony concluded with a powerful impromptu speech by one of the teens, who shared that his sore hands and worked muscles were akin to battle scars and bruises that the SEALs might carry. From his perspective, both should be considered a badge of honor and a source of pride for overcoming difficult obstacles and challenges.
Before each Climb for Courage program, we ask the Little Warriors to tell us what they think a Navy SEAL is. In answer to that question, we wanted to share some of the responses we got from this Virginia Beach program's participants:
- "Lots of men who lift boats and jump off buildings and climb up very tall fences. They are very brave."
- "A strong soldier."
- "More than brave. Muscular comes to mind. They probably do things I wouldn't do."
- "They have teamwork. Very brave. Very athletic. They are the elite division of the Navy."
- "A soldier and a helper."
- "They are top class. The best of the best."
Best of the best, indeed. We are incredibly grateful for our Navy SEAL mentors, strong, brave helpers who gave their time, energy, and skills to give our strong, brave Little Warriors a weekend to remember.
The feedback we receive from families, mentors, and volunteers immediately following the climb illustrates our mission's impact. The testimonials below fortify our commitment to improving outcomes for our resilient Little Warriors with year-round support and dedication to serving the Virginia Beach area.
Testimonials
[Before I was] sort of scared but after I feel amazing and want to do it again!
– Little Warrior
[My favorite moment was] seeing how nervous and hesitant the kids were when they first entered the building but being so excited and confident by the end of the event.
– Team Leader
We went in without knowing what to expect. After meeting the staff and hearing from the organizers, and see each child match with a mentor, I knew my son was in good hands. I felt extremely happy and blessed about this opportunity. Words are not enough to express how grateful we are for your time, the SEALs time, and all the planning that went into this activity. Thank you so much!!!
– Parent
My most memorable moment of the day was when my mentee decided she wanted to try to climb. She started off not thinking she was going to and just wanted to stay on the ground. Throughout the day seeing the confidence she had in herself and just opening up to being courageous and trying things she didn't think she was going to do was very inspiring.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
[My most memorable moment of the day was] seeing those kids always trying to get higher and never giving up! Those kids are our motivation!
– Navy SEAL Mentor
Before I wasn’t sure about coming, but I’m very glad I did. I discovered something new in myself—bravery and a no-quit attitude.
– Little Warrior
This program opened my son’s eyes. One Summit allowed him to meet an amazing role model and friend. This will definitely be a core memory for him.
– Parent
I would recommend [Climb for Courage] to another SEAL in a heartbeat. You are giving something back you can't quite quantify and in return it really renews your spirit and heart in an unexpected way that is hard to put into words.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
This was great—I want to do it again!
– Little Warrior
It is a wonderful organization and unique opportunity for team guys to make a difference in a really special way.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
The camaraderie and mutual support among the participants created an uplifting atmosphere that helped my daughter feel included and valued. Today was not just an event; it was a celebration of resilience and community.
-Parent
[Before] I was open but nervous. [Now I’m] proud and accomplished.
– Little Warrior
‘I can’t’ should not be in our vocabulary anymore.
– Little Warrior
I was highly impressed with the mentor matching. Each child really was matched with someone meeting their needs and energy.
– Parent
The impact we have on these kids is real, but I haven’t met a single mentor who didn’t get something equally as important out of the experience. It is humbling and really puts life in perspective.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
It's so rewarding to be able to impact so many people in a positive way when they are most likely in a difficult time in their lives.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
Initially I was afraid, but my mentor helped me not be so nervous.
– Little Warrior
We returned to the gym on Sunday morning to host our alum program, Climb Higher. At Climb Higher (CH), we invite past Climb for Courage participants back to participate in some rock-climbing action with our Navy SEAL mentors. Our CH program continues to gain popularity, and we welcomed back 20 Little Warriors, making it our most well-attended Climb Higher program ever hosted in Virginia Beach! Twelve returning mentors gave these returning participants lots of climbing and Sunday morning fun.
We owe tremendous gratitude to one of our wonderful partners, Pass the Bricks, and their Virginia ambassadors, Francisco and his family. Francisco, with the help of his wife and two kids, put together an impressive assortment of LEGO sets for our Little Warriors to build with their mentors as a break from climbing and bring home as a keepsake of their experience. Pass the Bricks collects used LEGO bricks, cleans and organizes them, creates new sets, and distributes them to kids who truly appreciate them. We are incredibly thankful for the support of Francisco, his family, and everyone at Pass the Bricks for their contributions to Climb for Courage in Virginia Beach. Thank you!
We want to thank Rob and the helpful staff at Send It Climbing for being flexible, accommodating, and supportive of our mission and programs. We genuinely enjoy working with you to bring Climb for Courage and Climb Higher to families in the Virginia Beach area.
We would also like to share our deep gratitude and appreciation for the social workers, child life specialists, and other staff who ensure patients and families in the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Hampton Roads area know about our program. Thank you to our friends at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD) for always sharing our program flyers with families receiving treatment there. We greatly appreciate your efforts, not just in spreading awareness of our program, but also in your important work with patients and families each day. We also want to thank our alum families for sharing our program with other cancer families in your orbit, which allows us to continue growing our community of like-minded warriors in the Virginia Beach area. We couldn't do what we do without all your help with recruitment.
We can't wait to return to Virginia Beach later this year for another Climb for Courage and Climb Higher weekend!
Are you interested in participating in an upcoming Climb for Courage? Please apply on our website or email maxwell@onesummit.org for more information!
