NEWS
Dear Greater Richmond,
The unjust death of George Floyd and so many before him has stopped us in our tracks. And by "us" we mean the leadership of Peak Experiences. The ongoing protests have tripled the gravity under our feet, forcing us to pause and reflect deeply. These events have made the topics of equality and justice inescapable for our company leadership. We have been listening. We have been trying to understand. And we are in the process of coming to grips with opportunities we've missed to be better.
We provide some pretty incredible opportunities for people to explore, challenge, connect, and succeed in countless ways. Generally, we take great pride in what we do and how we do it. For years we've had a Vision Statement for the company. We've kept it as an internal document for use at staff training and guiding our big decisions. We haven't put it up on the wall just yet because there's an uncomfortable distance between where we are and where it requires us to be. At times we have achieved its lofty ideals in dramatic fashion, and we've been terribly inconsistent at other times. This is one of those times.
Peak Experiences is not here to tell you what you must do. Truthfully, we are struggling to determine what we need to do. We also welcome respectful dialogue on our social media platforms which recognizes that no single path will bring us to a better and more just place. We believe that Black Lives Matter, but we also know that uttering three words is not enough.
We are presently searching our hearts for the opportunities we've missed and the reasons why, as well as things we can do about it. It is no secret that people of color are wildly underrepresented in the sport of rock climbing. We have to do what we can to lower that barrier to entry in our own communities. As an initial start towards that end, we have created 25 Peak Experiences memberships that will be shared with disadvantaged people of color in our surrounding communities. This is one small measure we can implement quickly to encourage greater connection, dialogue, and understanding in our own “home”. Reality set-in for us however when we realized we didn't precisely know who to share these memberships with. We could only think of a small handful of organizations off the tops of our heads who might be able to help us distribute them. That too was an eye-opener and something we have to come to terms with. We would welcome your input.
There are vast numbers of folks in our community in great pain. It is more clear than ever that they have always been in pain. We do not pretend to know what that feels like and perhaps we never will. However, that does not absolve us of the responsibility to seek greater understanding and a deeper commitment to doing our part to alleviate that pain.
Sincerely,
Kevin Tobin - Owner, Peak Experiences, Inc. tobin@peakexperiences.com
Scott Powell - Owner, Peak Experiences, Inc. scott@peakexperiences.com
Temporary Closure due to Coronavirus
Dear Peak Community,
Peak Experiences is committed to protecting our community during the COVID-19 outbreak. In that spirit, we have decided to close both of our climbing gyms and cancel all classes and events effective Monday, March 16th. We will continue to update you regarding any changes to this timeframe, and will reopen when we can responsibly do so.
We understand that climbing and our gyms are an important part of your lives. This decision was not an easy one to make. Many of you have thanked us for remaining open and providing a place to relieve your anxieties. Remaining open also allows us to maximize the financial security of our employees. However, the health and safety of our members, guests and employees remains our highest priority. Even though we have no knowledge of any infected person entering our facilities, we’ve made this decision to do our part in protecting our community.
MEMBERS: All memberships will have a prorated credit applied to the next billing cycle or be frozen during this closure and reactivated when we reopen. You do not have to do anything to process that. Our normal $20 freeze fee will of course be waived. Prepaid memberships will have their end date extended proportionally to the duration of our closure.
GROUP, CLASS AND CLIMBING PROGRAM REGISTRANTS: If you have paid a deposit or fee for a group or class taking place during this temporary closure, we will be reaching out to you to discuss options for rescheduling, or being credited or refunded.
PASSAGES ADVENTURE CAMPS: We fully expect to run our summer camp programs on schedule. We encourage you to continue to register for our summer sessions which are filling quickly.
We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time. For over 21 years Peak Experiences has been humbled by the compassion and commitment of our community. We look forward to reopening as soon as it’s appropriate in order to give all of us the opportunity to come together again. Until then, continue to support each other and remain the passionate and positive people that you are. Physical distance is important, but please help us to maintain our connection to each other. Reach out to your friends and family frequently, and to us anytime. We will continue to monitor our membership portal, emails and social media sites. Together, we will get through this.
Here are some relevant email contacts should you have any questions:
For our Midlothian facility operational questions contact: neil@peakexperiences.com
For our Richmond facility operational questions contact: keith@peakexperiences.com
For Passages Adventure Camps questions contact: tobin@peakexperiences.com
For Jr. Climbing Team, Training Team and High School Clubs contact: sam@peakexperiences.com
For Competitive Team questions contact: mlondrey@gmail.com
For membership or group events specific questions contact: info@peakexperiences.com
Coronavirus Precautions
Dear Valued Members,
Like so many of you, we have spent the last several weeks learning about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and how it is impacting the world around us. During this time, the health and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. In light of growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 we want to make you aware of actions we have been taking to fulfill this commitment, along with some ways you can help.
Steps we’re taking in our facilities and with our staff:
Increased cleaning in our facilities.
Our staff will be regularly disinfecting surfaces such as railings, doors, door handles, counter tops, fitness equipment, yoga mats, computers, phones, iPads, and bathrooms.
Increased availability of disinfecting and sanitizing materials for your use throughout our facilities.
Increased deep cleaning outside of normal operating hours.
Encouraging all employees to practice respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, and other precautionary measures that mitigate transmission.
Instructing sick employees to stay home, and sending home any employees who appear to have acute respiratory illnesses (i.e., cough, shortness of breath).
What we’re asking of you:
Feeling sick? Skip your climbing sessions until you feel better.
Do not wear climbing shoes into the bathroom.
Wash your hands vigorously for no less than 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after coughing or blowing your nose.
Sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are also available for use.
Cough into a tissue or your shirt. But a reminder, if you’re coughing a lot it’s probably best to avoid the gym. Other members and the community will thank you!
If possible, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes while in the gym, and avoid person to person contact.
Your health and safety are extremely important to us, and our goal is to manage the risk so that Peak facilities continue to be a place where you can come and climb, work out, and socialize. As we continue to monitor the CDC and WHO information on the Coronavirus, we will keep you updated on any changes to our operations or procedures by way of our website and social media.
If you have any questions please contact one of our facilities, or email info@peakexperiences.com.
Thank you for taking this situation seriously and doing your part to keep calm and climb on!
UPDATE TO OUR RICHMOND LOCATION: SCOR has made the decision to close their facility, but our climbing facility is still open. Be aware that the bathroom in the blue SCOR building is closed and locked. You will still enter through the main entrance in the blue building and proceed up the corridor as you normally would, then follow signage for the bathroom located next to the entrance to the outdoor field. See a Peak staff member if you have questions. We ask that you please respect SCOR and their space while they are closed.
USAC Divisionals - Volunteers Needed
January 18 and 19 at Peak Richmond
Volunteers needed - FREE food and t-shirt for all Volunteers
The week of January 13 the bouldering area will be closed and fitness classes will be modified to accommodate routesetting. PeakRVA will be closed during the competition but will open roped climbing after.
Competitors will register through USA Climbing
Mile High Climbing Fundraiser
Challenge yourself and support Adaptive Climbing in Richmond.
Peak is working with it's community partners to provide more opportunities for Adaptive Climbing. A big barrier that our community faces is a lack of qualified individuals to support and run these events. That's why we are working to bring the Paradox Sports Adaptive Climbing Initiative course to Richmond! This course will give our community the opportunity to learn from THE experts on Adaptive Climbing, so we can provide high quality experiences for those who need a little extra assistance.
Learn more about Paradox Sports here: https://www.paradoxsports.org/
To bring this awesome opportunity to Richmond, we need your help! We will be running a "Mile High Climbing Challenge" to raise money for this course. Details on this fundraiser are below, but keep an eye out for more info at our front desks.
How does it work? To participate, you will purchase a score card from your favorite climbing spot. Then use it to track your total distance climbed. You then have 4 weeks to climb that mile. Those who complete their score cards will be eligible for all kinds of awesome swag from climbing vendors and local sponsors.
Then anyone and everyone is invited to celebrate success at Vasen Brewing. Vasen will then donate a portion of the proceeds to our cause. Even if you did not participate in the Mile High challenge, you can still come out and support the community.
When? Starting Jan. 13th and going until Feb. 10th, with a celebration event at Vasen Brewing after the end of the 4 weeks. (specific date and time TBA)
Where can you participate? Peak RVA, Peak Midlo, and the VCU Carry Street gym.
Cost? $10 per score card (gym access and gear purchased separately)
Who else is involved?
-Sportable: Sportable is an adaptive sports club with a mission of creating opportunities and transforming lives of those with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sport.
-Beyond Boundaries: Beyond Boundaries is a non-profit based in Richmond, Virginia specializing in guiding participants with disabilities, veterans, at risk youth, and recover programs on outdoor adventures.
https://www.beyondboundariesrva.org/
-VCU OAP: The Outdoor Adventure Program at VCU runs the climbing wall at the Carry Street gym and supports Adaptive climbing through their office of disability serveries.
https://recsports.vcu.edu/programs/outdoor-adventure-program/climbing-and-bouldering/
-RVAclimbs: A division on RVApaddlesports. RVAclimbs introduces new and seasoned climbers to the wonders of climbing throughout the James River Parks system.
Got questions about this event? Interested in becoming a Local Sponsor? Want to support this program or Adaptive Climbing in another way? Contact george@peakexperiences.com
VCU Events - WFR Course and Red Rocks Trip
The VCU Outdoor Adventure Program has two great events upcoming, a Wilderness First Responder Course and a climbing trip to Red Rocks in Nevada.
The Wilderness First Responder course is open to the public and will be taught at the Monroe Park Campus at the Outing Rental Center. We will meet everyday from 8am-5pm, with one evening of CPR and one overnight at the Rice Rivers Center. The course starts on Saturday, January 4th and finishes on Saturday January 11th.
Member Drive to Kickoff the New Year!
Member Drive 2020
January 1 - February 11
New sign ups or renewals that are within 6 months of the end of current contract can take advantage of this sweet deal!
All 12-Month Contract sign ups during the dates above get February Dues for FREE.
One Year Prepaid Memberships get not only the 13th but also the 14th month FREE.
*No specials on the 30 Day Prepaid Memberships*
Must be the 12-Month Contract or Prepaid. No initiation or maintenance fees. First 75 to sign up will receive a Member Package of a Peak Shirt (sizes while supplies last) and chalk from Friction Labs. One per membership (i.e. dual and family only get one welcome package).
Questions? info@peakexperiences.com
Reel Rock 14 - Dec. 18
This December, get ready for climbing’s greatest stories, stars, and sends.
Join us at Väsen Brewing Company for the return of Reel Rock 14 to celebrate our amazing climbing community and help us raise funds for Beyond Boundaries, an organization specializing in guiding participants with disabilities, veterans, at risk youth, and those in recovery programs on outdoor adventures.
Carytown Bicycle Co. SALE
Dear PEAK members,
We opened our Southside location as our first attempt in expanding our business and we've had a lot of fun serving our customers South of the river. However, we feel it's time for us to move closer to where we feel a lot of our customers would find us more convenient at the new Winterfield Crossing development.
More on that later. In the meantime, we want to let our friends at PEAK in on a big sale we're having at our West Chester Commons location. Instead of moving all of our inventory to the new building, we're hoping to move this stuff to our best customers at some steep discounts.
15%-40% off 2019 model year bicycles up to 75% off accessories and apparel. Our Winter Tune-Up Specials will still be ongoing. So, stop on by the WC Commons location and have the first crack at some of these deals! As always, feel free to give us a call at 804-419-7565 to check if we've got what you're looking for!
See you soon!
-Carytown Bicycle Co. at West Chester Commons
Passages Adventure Camp Registration Open!
With sights set firmly on 2020, we're looking to make things better than ever in the new year. Register early and secure your desired weeks of Passages Adventure Camp. There have been no price increases this year, so smooth sailing ahead.
Not sure of summer plans just yet? Our refund & transfer policy is the best in the biz! All deposits for Passages are 100% refundable & you have the option to change which week you'd like in the future with zero additional charge! Secure your spot today.