On May 30th, One Summit returned to San Diego for another unforgettable Climb for Courage weekend in Southern California, bringing together 17 Little Warriors, 15 Navy SEAL mentors, 1 floating mentor, 4 team leaders, and 4 dedicated volunteers for a day filled with courage, laughter, and meaningful connection. Our last spring program weekend of the year was memorable!
Here's a snapshot of our participant group at this Climb for Courage program:
It didn't take long once the program started for the gym to come alive as teams proudly adopted names that reflected their creativity and personality: The Climbing Crew, The Sushi LEGOs, The Jurassic Park Survivors, and Team Grizzlies. Throughout the day, teammates celebrated every accomplishment, encouraged one another through every challenge, and discovered that the greatest victories often come from simply believing in yourself—and having others believe in you, too. Some of the goals the Mentors and Little Warriors set together included:
As illustrated in the variety of goals set at Climb for Courage, the program is about far more than simply climbing walls. It's about rediscovering confidence, building resilience, and experiencing joy as you build authentic relationships with Navy SEAL mentors who understand perseverance, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. Together, they create memories and friendships that continue long after the harnesses come off and the program comes to a close.
One of the most meaningful reminders from the weekend came from a Navy SEAL mentor, who described the experience as "a beautiful cycle of mutual healing." Those words perfectly capture what makes One Summit unique. Our programs are built intentionally to be 50/50—supporting not only children and families navigating pediatric cancer, but also the Navy SEAL mentors who volunteer their time and hearts. While our Little Warriors gain confidence, resilience, and lifelong role models, mentors often find purpose, perspective, and healing through these relationships as well. The result is something truly special: a community where everyone gives, everyone grows, and everyone leaves stronger than when they arrived.
That spirit of mutual support is what continues to make One Summit more than a one-off program. It's a community built on trust, vulnerability, and the belief that healing happens through human connection.
Here is that mentor's full quote:
– Navy SEAL Mentor
The feedback we receive from families, mentors, and volunteers immediately after the climb illustrates the impact of our mission. The testimonials below reinforce our commitment to enhancing outcomes for our resilient Little Warriors through year-round support and dedication to serving the San Diego area.
Testimonials
Keep trying, never quit! Navy SEALs are cool!
– Little Warrior
[My most memorable moment of the day was] seeing a boy in a wheelchair climb to the top of one of the routes.
– Team Leader
My son really liked being pushed to his limit by his mentor and the way he was encouraged that he can do it and do the rock climbing more times. His brother liked his mentor sharing his own stories and memories of his life.
– Parent
[Before Climb for Courage I felt] so, so, so, so, so, so excited and good! [After Climb for Courage I feel] sad because I do not want to go.
– Little Warrior
[Climb for Courage] was one of the most rewarding things I have done.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
These kids teach us as much as we teach them.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
My son has been talking about how awesome his mentor is and everything they did together!
- Parent
It’s very fulfilling and rewarding to give time to others in need. And the children are very inspiring and brave.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
[I learned from my Navy SEAL Mentor] it’s okay to be nervous and it’s okay to fail!
– Little Warrior
You are an amazing team! Blessed to participate in this exciting event with the Navy SEALs! Truly appreciate your support!
– Parent
[Before Climb for Courage I felt] a little scared and nervous. [After Climb for Courage I feel] strong, happy, and excited!
– Little Warrior
Seeing these kids power through their conditions and push past their mental limit is something you can’t put into words.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
[I learned] trust [from my Navy SEAL Mentor].
– Little Warrior
[Before Climb for Courage I felt] exhausted but wanted to be a role model for my brother and show he could do it. [After Climb for Courage I feel] good and let go. [I had] somebody to focus on me and things I like to do for a little bit. [My mentor] understood me and listened.
– Little Warrior Sibling
[My most memorable moment of the day was] watching my mentee laughing and smiling. The joy was a welcome sight to see.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
[I learned from my Navy SEAL Mentor] that you can be a fun-loving, responsible guy.
– Little Warrior
[Before Climb for Courage I felt] scared. [After Climb for Courage I feel] strong and independent!
– Little Warrior
[Climb for Courage was] very rewarding, and [it’s] important to enrich our community with a different form of service and develop new perspectives on life.
– Navy SEAL Mentor
The following day, on May 31st, the meaningful momentum carried into Climb Higher, where 14 returning Little Warriors, 12 mentors, and 3 volunteers came together to meet new friends and continue strengthening the bonds formed through Climb for Courage. Five mentors who volunteered their time at Climb Higher are new to the One Summit community and hope to be back for the full Climb for Courage weekend in the future! New and familiar faces got to know one another, tackled climbing challenges together, and kept our incredible community growing. As our last spring program of 2026 came to a close, our team felt energized by our mission and excited for our fall lineup of programs.
Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters
Every Climb for Courage and Climb Higher weekend is made possible through the generosity of an incredible community of partners who believe in our mission.
We are deeply grateful to OB Shipping for continuing to provide support to our community. Thank you for having confidence in our programming and for your assistance in bringing joy to so many over the San Diego weekend. As always, we are incredibly thankful to Axos Bank, whose steadfast commitment enables us to bring resilience-building programs and community engagement opportunities to San Diego families year-round. Thank you also to Golf Fights Cancer for your continued investment in One Summit's mission and for helping us expand our impact nationwide.
A heartfelt thank you to Vertical Hold Poway and their incredible staff for once again opening your doors to us and donating your climbing facility. Your amazing team always creates the perfect environment for our Little Warriors and Navy SEAL mentors to challenge themselves and grow together. We are in awe of how you go above and beyond for our community. Your hospitality and partnership continue to make our San Diego programs possible.
We're equally thankful to Kristine and her family at Pass the Bricks San Diego, whose dedication to providing LEGO activities at our programs continues to inspire creativity, teamwork, and smiles throughout the weekend. Experiences like these create moments of connection that extend well beyond the climbing wall.
A very special thank you goes to Kelly Lasho Photography for once again generously donating her time and remarkable talent to capture the joy, courage, and genuine emotion of the weekend. Your photographs preserve memories our families will treasure for years to come while beautifully capturing the continuing story of One Summit in San Diego.
Finally, thank you to Born Primitive for outfitting our Navy SEAL mentors and Little Warriors so that they can climb in style and comfort! Your partnership and support of our mission mean so much to all of us.
As always, we extend our deep gratitude to the amazing child life specialists, social workers, nurses, and staff at local hospitals and clinics who support our mission, help us share our program opportunities with families, and assist with participant registration. For this program, we especially want to thank our friends at Rady Children's Hospital for ensuring that more families access these resilience-building programs.
To our alum families who continue to share our mission with new families in your networks — thank you for being ambassadors of our work. Your voices help us grow our community of Little Warriors in Southern California and beyond.
Lastly, we are eternally grateful to our Navy SEAL mentors, dedicated Team Leaders and volunteers, Young Professionals Board, and everyone in our community who comes together to make these weekends happen. It takes a village, and we couldn't do it without you.
As we look forward to picking back up our programs in the fall, weekends like this remind us that resilience is never built alone. It grows through shared experiences, meaningful relationships, and a community committed to lifting one another higher. Together, we're creating something far greater than a climbing program—we're creating a beautiful cycle of mutual healing that continues long after the weekend comes to an end.
Are you interested in participating in an upcoming Climb for Courage program, or do you know someone who might be interested in joining us? Please apply on our website or email maxwell@onesummit.org for more information!
