OUR 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 OUR SCPC EXECUTIVE BOARD
Ryan Shipp
President
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.
Kaia Sword
Vice President
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. In addition to climbing, she enjoys skiing, SUP, hiking, adventuring to remote areas of the globe, and a myriad of other hobbies.
Cait Handlin
Secretary
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.
Nate Bussard
Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
Alexis Haller
Board Member
Alexis has lived in the Lancaster area her whole life and is currently a supervisor at a local climbing gym, where she also coaches the youth climbing team. She is a Certified Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) and passionate about helping climbers—especially those new to the sport—build their skills, stay safe, and grow in confidence.
Climbing has given Alexis so much: a connection to nature, moments of deep focus, and access to some truly incredible places. She is grateful to be part of a community that values both personal growth and the stewardship of our climbing environments. Lead climbing is probably her favorite discipline.
Outside of climbing, Alexis is a certified yoga instructor and loves practicing yoga, hiking, and exploring charming small towns. Staying active and connected to the outdoors is a big part of her life.
Alexis is excited to be involved with SCPC as a Board member, gym ambassador, to help with bringing back the newsletters, and more. She is proud to support SCPC’s mission to maintain and expand access to the climbing areas we all love.
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 in two short years to enjoy excursions to several climbing destinations around the world. Cassie enjoys outdoor climbing, and is passionate about preserving our world’s environment, which fueled her desire to become involved in SCPC’s philanthropic efforts. Cassie grew up climbing trees before graduating to gymnastics, track and field, and eventually rocks. When she's not rock climbing, she is putting patients to sleep or spending time with her family. Cassie and her husband Bryan are proud parents of two little future climbers.
“Conservation is a state of harmony between people and land. ”
— Aldo Leopold