Adventure Centers Hawaii, Inc.
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Mission Statement
Adventure Centers Hawai'i is driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to reach new heights, both physically and mentally. Our mission is to revolutionize access to indoor bouldering activities for youth across all economic backgrounds. Through our program, the Climbing for Kids project, we provide transformative experiences that foster confidence, resilience, and a passion for physical activity. We focus on breaking down financial barriers to ensure that climbing is accessible to all, offering free or discounted sessions for low-income families while partnering with schools and community groups. Our goal is to inspire a love for climbing, foster personal growth, and create a sense of belonging for every child we serve. Adventure Centers Hawai'i was established in 2023 to address the lack of accessible indoor bouldering opportunities for youth on the Big Island. Recognizing that many local children are underserved in terms of physical activity options, co-founders Donna Nichols and Bradley Leighton started the organization to ensure that all children, regardless of their financial background, could experience the mental and physical benefits of climbing. Big Island Climbing, founded in 2020 and opened in 2021, has been instrumental in supporting this initiative by offering in-kind donations of facility use and operational support. Since launching the Climbing for Kids project, Adventure Centers Hawai'i has reached nearly 3,000 keiki, and the organization continues to expand its programs to serve even more youth, providing free or discounted sessions to those in need.
About This Cause
The story of Adventure Centers Hawai'i began with the opening of Big Island Climbing in 2021, founded by Bradley Leighton and Donna Nichols. Big Island Climbing was established as a space for rock climbing enthusiasts to pursue their passion on Hawai'i Island, offering a community-focused indoor climbing experience. Bradley, a lifelong climber with expertise in both rope climbing and bouldering, and Donna, a business manager and former philanthropist with a commitment to youth development and wellness, saw the potential of climbing to positively impact lives. As they welcomed more young participants, Bradley and Donna observed the profound benefits that climbing offered children—confidence building, physical strength, problem-solving skills, and mental resilience. However, they also recognized that financial barriers were preventing many youth from experiencing these life-changing benefits. This realization became the driving force behind the creation of Adventure Centers Hawai'i, a nonprofit launched in 2023 with the mission of expanding access to climbing for underserved youth across the island. Unlike other regions with abundant outdoor climbing opportunities, Hawai'i Island’s volcanic rock formations make climbing outdoors unsafe, and out of respect for the ʻāina (land), the focus has remained on indoor bouldering. Through Adventure Centers Hawai'i, Bradley and Donna aimed to provide safe, indoor bouldering experiences that not only promote physical fitness but also foster mental growth and a sense of belonging for youth from all backgrounds. Both Bradley and Donna continue to donate their time and expertise to ensure the program’s success, driven by their shared commitment to making climbing accessible to everyone. In the first fiscal year of Adventure Centers Hawai'i, the Bridging Barriers project provided nearly 500 free climbing sessions to underserved keiki on the Big Island. This initiative broke down financial barriers, allowing children from low-income families to experience the benefits of bouldering. The success of this program laid a strong foundation for future growth, and the organization now aims to triple the number of youth served in the coming year.