MISSION AND BOARD
Since SCPC was formed in 2015, we have been dedicated to conserving climbing areas in South Central Pennsylvania.
Our Mission Statement
Providing education while protecting and conserving Central PA rock climbing for everyone.
MEET THE SCPC BOARD MEMBERS
Kaia Sword
Board President & Annual Events Committee Chair
Kaia grew up in the Harrisburg area and has been climbing on and off since her early 20s. She was excited to find a sport that allowed her to blend her passion for adventure and nature with her love of movement and problem solving. Kaia has dabbled in a variety of styles but is largely a boulderer these days. She enjoys coordinating the Diabase Double Down Series, a role she took on fully in 2024.
In addition to climbing, she enjoys skiing, SUP, hiking, adventuring to remote areas of the globe, and a myriad of other hobbies. In her professional life, Kaia works in the local community as a CFP® at Merrill.
Ryan Shipp
Board Vice President & Governor Stable Ambassador
Ryan Shipp is from Harrisburg, PA and discovered climbing at the age 21. The first place he climbed was at Mount Gretna's boulders and the following weekend was spent at the Gunks in NY. From those first days out climbing, the sport has been one of the main driving forces in his life.
Shipp, as his friends refer to him, has been an adventure educator and climbing instructor for 20 years and loves sharing the experience of climbing with others. He is a certified AMGA CWI Provider, SPI, MPI, and working towards his AMGA Rock Guide Certification.
Shipp is also the author of the Governor Stable Bouldering Guide and is currently writing a guide for the areas in PA's South Mountain Range. In 2015, he co-founded, along with Adam Hartman, the South Central Pennsylvania Climbers and stands along side of other locals that help to protect our climbing areas and build a strong community. Outside of work and volunteering, Shipp loves to climb all types of rock, any height, any angle, any grade, any style, and anywhere.
Nate Bussard
Treasurer & Governor Dick Park Ambassador
Nate is from Carlisle and has been climbing since his early twenties. He has been the SCPC Treasurer since January of 2024 and enjoys giving back to the outdoor climbing community as much as he can. Nate looks forward to the annual Diabase Double down every year and enjoys seeing all the stoke out at the boulders!
Crys Moore
Board Secretary & Chickies Rock, Safe Harbor, & Susquehanna Riverlands Ambassador
Bio coming soon!
Alexis Haller
Board Member
Alexis discovered climbing in 2023 and was instantly hooked. Since then, she’s coached the youth climbing team at her local gym, earned her CWI certification, and worked as a climbing gym supervisor. She’s currently involved in the adventure program at YBEC. A yoga instructor and outdoor enthusiast, Alexis enjoys SUP, hiking, and exploring small-town coffee spots. As an SCPC Board Member, she’s excited to deepen her connection to the climbing community and help protect local crags.
Cait Handlin
Board Member & Access and Stewardship Committee Chair
Cait grew up in south central PA and started climbing in 2015. She is a recreation and conservation professional and has worked in the industry for the past five years, mainly in the nonprofit and public sector focused on advancing equity in the outdoors.
Cait started volunteering with SCPC in 2022. In addition to her secretary role, she also serves as a community ambassador with the goal to create a more inclusive community. Cait loves bouldering, sport climbing and mountain biking. Her favorite climbing memory is sport climbing in Pitumarca, Peru.
Cassie Ortenzio
Board Member
Cassie is a late onset climber who began climbing in 2023. With help from fellow climbers in the SCPC community, Cassie has amassed enough climbing experience to enjoy excursions to several climbing destinations around the world. She loves outdoor climbing, and is passionate about preserving our world’s environment, which fueled her desire to become involved in SCPC’s philanthropic efforts. When she's not rock climbing, she is taking care of patients or spending time with her family. Cassie and her husband Bryan are proud parents of three little future climbers!
Paul Chrastina
Board Member
Paul Chrastina began rock climbing in the early 1980s at Chickies Rock on the Susquehanna river while attending the Pennsylvania School of the Arts in nearby Marietta. He soon began to visit other local crags (many now stewarded by SCPC), and a variety of climbing destinations farther afield. With experience ranging from natural lands preservtion to ropes course facilitation to ski mountain operations, he's happy to help further SCPC's goals of promoting safe access to, and responsible maintenance of, our local climbing areas.
Wren Stetler
Board Member & Volunteer Coordinator
Wren was born and raised in Central PA and has been involved in the local climbing community for the better part of the past decade. In addition to climbing, Wren loves trail running, watching movies, literature and film photography. She loves to bring her appreciation for the outdoors and art together as a way to connect with the human experience.
“Conservation is a state of harmony between people and land. ”
— Aldo Leopold