- Home
- Programs & Activities
- Youth Activities
- Climbing Team
- Meet the Coaches
Meet the Coaches
The coaches of Team Charleston have a combined experience of over 50 years in teaching, climbing, teambuilding, and yoga. All of our coaches have a passion for the sport of climbing and are eager to share that passion. Our coaches are always striving to improve themselves as teachers, mentors, and climbers and are constantly seeking professional development. All of our coaches possess a minimum of 1st Aid and CPR certification, have successfully completed the U.S Olympic Committees’ Safe Sport Training, and have had either a Federal or SLED background check.
Robert Lavarnway, Head Coach & Climbing Wall Manager
Robert has been with CCPRC since 2006. Prior to his position here, he was the Teen Director at a Charlotte YMCA. Robert has been climbing for over 18 years throughout North Carolina, New York, South Dakota, Colorado, Oregon, and California, including Yosemite Valley. Robert enjoys working with youth and sharing the outdoors with them. He believes strongly in working together as a team and has many years of experience facilitating corporate team building. Robert is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Climbing Wall Instructor, USA Climbing Certified Coach and Route Setter, high angle rescue technician, and an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor. Contact Coach Robert.
Robert has been with CCPRC since 2006. Prior to his position here, he was the Teen Director at a Charlotte YMCA. Robert has been climbing for over 18 years throughout North Carolina, New York, South Dakota, Colorado, Oregon, and California, including Yosemite Valley. Robert enjoys working with youth and sharing the outdoors with them. He believes strongly in working together as a team and has many years of experience facilitating corporate team building. Robert is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Climbing Wall Instructor, USA Climbing Certified Coach and Route Setter, high angle rescue technician, and an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor. Contact Coach Robert.
Chelsea Sondgeroth, Coach
Chelsea began working with CCPRC in the summer of 2014 as a climbing wall attendant and camp counselor. She returned in the summer of 2015 as a camp counselor and decided that she would call Charleston home. First exposed to climbing through a friend in college, Chelsea quickly grew to love the sport. Chelsea is originally from Illinois and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Exercise Science. Through her experiences she has developed a great passion for fitness in the outdoors and enjoys sharing it with others! Chelsea is Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and First Responder certified. She is also a USA Climbing Certified Coach.
Chelsea began working with CCPRC in the summer of 2014 as a climbing wall attendant and camp counselor. She returned in the summer of 2015 as a camp counselor and decided that she would call Charleston home. First exposed to climbing through a friend in college, Chelsea quickly grew to love the sport. Chelsea is originally from Illinois and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Exercise Science. Through her experiences she has developed a great passion for fitness in the outdoors and enjoys sharing it with others! Chelsea is Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and First Responder certified. She is also a USA Climbing Certified Coach.
Stuart Worley – Club Coach
Stuart grew up in Charlotte, NC and attended undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she majored in political science and psychology. She has always loved the outdoors, especially if she gets to bring her dog Cookie along. She has worked with kids as a private nanny for the past 6 six years and as an Adventure Camp counselor here at CCPRC. Stuart is currently working toward her masters in clinical counseling at The Citadel. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR, and she is a certified Guardian Ad Litem.
Stuart grew up in Charlotte, NC and attended undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she majored in political science and psychology. She has always loved the outdoors, especially if she gets to bring her dog Cookie along. She has worked with kids as a private nanny for the past 6 six years and as an Adventure Camp counselor here at CCPRC. Stuart is currently working toward her masters in clinical counseling at The Citadel. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR, and she is a certified Guardian Ad Litem.
TJ Turner, Strength & Conditioning Coach
TJ grew up in the Lower Shenandoah Valley, where he gained appreciation for the mountains and waterways of Virginia. In 2001, he started his career in recreation by obtaining a snowboard certification through the Professional Ski Instructors of America. TJ holds a degree in Kinesiology from James Madison University. While at JMU, TJ worked with the University Outdoor Program running programs all around the Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia, and Maryland. TJ also holds a M.S in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. TJ has worked for CCPRC since 2010 and currently works full-time for the American Canoe Association. TJ is a certified Climbing Wall Instructor, USA Climbing Certified Coach, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid.
TJ grew up in the Lower Shenandoah Valley, where he gained appreciation for the mountains and waterways of Virginia. In 2001, he started his career in recreation by obtaining a snowboard certification through the Professional Ski Instructors of America. TJ holds a degree in Kinesiology from James Madison University. While at JMU, TJ worked with the University Outdoor Program running programs all around the Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia, and Maryland. TJ also holds a M.S in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. TJ has worked for CCPRC since 2010 and currently works full-time for the American Canoe Association. TJ is a certified Climbing Wall Instructor, USA Climbing Certified Coach, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid.