Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up

Late last week I was sent some information on a great charity organization called Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up. It's a fundraising initiative created by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS that encourages people to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa by creating their own challenges and events to help raise money for medical supplies and attention for children afflicted by the disease.

While the organization helps to provide ideas and concepts for individuals and groups to launch their own charitable events, it also holds its own as well, including a yearly trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa. Next year, the AFCA is actually organizing several separate charity climbs of that mountain, with 14 open slots on each team, giving us all a chance to raise funds for this important cause, while also sending us on an adventure of a lifetime.

The 2011 dates are as follows:

February 28 – March 10, 2011

August 6- 17, 2011
September 11-20, 2011
Women’s Team: October 1 – 12, 2011

As you can see, there are ample opportunities to join in on the expeditions, including a women only option next October. For more information on the climbs and the fund raising efforts click here. 

At 19,340 feet in height, Kilimanjaro is no small challenge to overcome. But, with good conditioning, a proper pace, and the right attitude, it can be an extremely rewarding trek. Doing it while also raising funds for children with AIDS would make it even more amazing.