Just south of the bridge between Holland’s north and south sides, did you know we have a rock climbing gym there?
Too many people in our opinion have never heard of Scrapyard Climbing Collective, a hidden gem right here in Holland. 💎
Scrapyard is a welcoming community of climbers of all ages, from beginners to experts. We started working with Scrapyard earlier this year, and we quickly became part of the Scrapyard family (Alex and her kids go a few times a week now). So we can tell you firsthand that the people you’ll meet are fun, passionate, and helpful, and they love to share their love of climbing. 💚 We recently interviewed Josh, Scrapyard’s owner and an avid climber, to learn a little more about his story and the history of Scrapyard.
How Scrapyard Came to Be
Back in the day when Josh was a day dreaming kid, he wanted to become a fighter pilot (he still knows a lot about planes). As a teen, he wanted to be a teacher, and in college he ended up with a degree in mechanical engineering. While Josh was in college, a friend invited him and some other friends to climb at a local climbing gym. He had so much fun, he pretty much never stopped climbing after that first time. Six months later he was teaching climbing at a summer camp, which combined his love of climbing with his love of teaching (foreshadowing!).
After working a few different kinds of jobs, there was a local gym that went up for sale. Josh loved climbing, but owning a business? He wasn’t so sure. Josh said, “I almost had to be dragged into it. But a lot of people reassured me that I could do it. And I don’t regret it at all.”
Following Your Dream Doesn't Mean it's Selfish
Seeing Josh climb, teach, and lead a team of other passionate climbers makes it clear that he’s in the right spot. “I get really excited about seeing people reveal parts of themselves that they didn’t know existed. That’s why this means a lot to me. I get to watch people discover a power in themselves they didn’t know they had.” Scrapyard is not just about climbing, it’s about community. They host community events that stretch beyond climbing, such as picnics, yoga, competitions, and more. He loves hosting events and seeing so many people within the community come together and support each other.
One thing Josh wants anyone who’s never experienced Scrapyard before to know is “that it’s for everybody, that climbing is way less intimidating than people expect it to be, and that there’s an opportunity for almost everyone to participate.” As a beginner climber myself (Alex), I can promise that this is true! We’re so grateful to be able to work with Scrapyard and be a part of the climbing community. We hope you’ll join us!
