Rare Earth Adventures Joins the Fight Against AIDS in Africa by Donating Mt. Saint Helen's Expeditions to The American Foundation for Children with AIDS

    HARRISBURG, PA, June 30, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) is excited to announce that Rare Earth Adventures (REA) has generously agreed to donate 30 guided climbs of Mount Saint Helens in Washington State which will be sold to raise funds for the Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up Program.

"This is incredibly generous and remarkably consistent with our Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up events," states Tanya Weaver, Executive Director of The American Foundation for Children with AIDS. "While not only raising funds, these trips should grab the attention of climbers across the Pacific Northwest to consider participating in events like September's Climb Up the World and next year's Climb Up Kilimanjaro."

Rare Earth Adventures will be leading three expeditions up Mt. Saint Helens and donating all proceeds to The American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Each expedition will lead ten climbers up Ptarmigan Trail and Monitor Ridge to see spectacular views of both the volcanic crater and surrounding countryside. While the climb is non-technical, it will be strenuous and require climbers to provide basic equipment. The fee for each climber is $300.

Rare Earth Adventures (REA) provides wilderness education and instruction to students from all walks of life and from all over the globe. Their foundational principal is that the Earth is a rare and special place and this philosophy is what inspires them to build adventures, offer wilderness trips, and teach critical survival skills. Furthermore, REA is committed to a path of social responsibility, as evidenced by their support of African children with AIDS.

Rare Earth Adventures joins a growing list of socially responsible corporations that recognize the value of AFCA's Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up events including Nike, Anvil, Set Management, Gramicci, Ashar Management and Consulting, and Larabar.

Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a set of self-directed AIDS charity challenges that invite participants to create a personal test, recruit sponsors and overcome that challenge on dates during the summer and fall. While concentrating on rock climbing, hiking, running and cycling, participants are invited to select any sport or activity they enjoy. Climb Up scheduled events include:

* Climb Up the 50 - June 26th - July 5th
* Climb Up the World - September 18th - 19th
* Climb Up Kilimanjaro - February 5th - 16th, 2011

In addition, related events include Climb Up Kilimanjaro, an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania and Climb Up Charlotte, a festival held in North Carolina. Those interested in participating are invited to register at: www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com

The American Foundation for Children AIDS would like to thank Rare Earth Adventures for their support. In addition, AFCA invites like-minded, socially responsible companies to join it in helping African children fight a difficult battle. All donations are tax deductible.

About the American Foundation for Children with AIDS

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) is a not-for-profit foundation providing medicines, medical supplies and aid to children in African countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS including Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. For more information or to make a donation, please go to www.helpchildrenwithaids.org.

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