"Spicing Up" a Teen Climbing Program

I run a very small climbing program for a very small summer camp every year for people 12-18 years old in Central Pennsylvania. Top rope only with the occasional rappel lesson.

We go setup anchors and they top rope all day. Its fun (most of the kids enjoy it) but I know there is more potential for them to enjoy. I have a lot of freedom with creating or changing within this program and want to maximize the appeal and FUN of climbing!

Does anyone have suggestions on how to make a top rope only program more enjoyable? Games? lessons of some sort?

Any suggestions at all will be appreciated as I have been drawing blanks. Thank you for your time.

I don't think you need to do any "games," but I would suggest that you set up your toprope on climbs that every participant can do. In other words, don't start them on climbs that are too hard. Each child can experience some success, instead of "challenging" them with climbs that are too hard. Then, work your way up to harder climbs.

I think 5.2 or 5.4 would be an appropriate level to start them at.

races.

Avoid games. Focus on lessons. I think kids need to be challenged and realize that hard work has benefits.

5.2 seems really easy for teens. Get them on a 5.8 or harder.

I appreciate the responses Frank and Rob. Frank I do always have a 5.3 (1 of 2) setup. The average route theyre on is 5.6, hardest is 5.8. Rob races is not a bad idea, working friendly competition in isn't a bad idea. Thanks guys!

Blindfolded climbing.

Harder climbs, even if only a couple kids can do them. They provide a nice carrot for those who can't do them to the top, and a big boost for those who can.

Have the kids make their own goals for holds/heights to reach, or routes to climb. If you're going to the same crag more than once then you get the "don't give up on what seems impossible, you're capable of more than you think" teachable moment.

Make room for the kids to figure out their own fun and games. Give em a break from adult tyranny as much as you can manage and they'll appreciate it.

Something simple that you can do is just change the location of the belay. Might sound stupid, but belaying from the top of the cliff can certainly spice things up. You can set up belayed rappels. Climber rappels down and climbs back up. Immediate exposure. Other participants can be anchored in and observe right at the edge of the cliff. You'll get much better climbing pictures from above too.

SMR wrote:Avoid games. Focus on lessons. I think kids need to be challenged and realize that hard work has benefits. 5.2 seems really easy for teens. Get them on a 5.8 or harder.

Depends on the teens. If they are active and fit, then 5.2 can be ridiculously easy. If they aren't, or they are lacking in confidence in any way, 4th class might be too scary. Definitely provide a range of difficulty levels, to the extent possible, and find a way to keep the non-climbers occupied.

Do they have climbing shoes, or are they doing this in whatever shoes they have on at the time? Shoes can make a big difference when the climbing gets much harder than about 5.6 or 5.7.

can you involve the more motivated kids in building anchors, etc., or maybe show them something about placing pro?

I love all the posts! Thank you.

The kids wear whatever shoes they have. The camp supplies the ropes, harnesses, locking biners and some webbing; I just use my pro and supply chalk. We climb 2-3 times a week with 2 ropes running at a time (obviously 2 routes at a time, switching routes throughout the day).

Id like to create a program that combines (example) Arno Ilgners "rock warrior way" (emphasis on awareness, creating awareness) + teaching climbing (basics) + teens and top roping. Id like to solidify an all out program that promotes growth on and off the rock.

Thanks all!

At a local climbing gym here, they attach two kids via a short rope and have them climb two top-rope routes that are next to each other. If one kid falls, they both fall. I think it is meant to be a kind of teamwork thing. Speed climbs for time are also a ton of fun.

What about top rope protected mock leads? Having kids pull each other off or increasing the silly factor doesn't seem like the best idea to me.

Concerning ridiculously easy climbs like 5.2, my students have often had fun on super easy climbs by playing "games" such as trying to climb the whole thing without their hands. Ends up being a good way to teach footwork, balance, body positioning, and trusting yourself. Plus, it's a lot of fun.

Spin the Bottle.

Put something at the top of the route. Some kids like to compete so you could time it with a bell at the top. Other's don't like to compete but the incentive of a small toy or a piece of candy or some sort of prize might give them a purpose for topping out.

The Stoned Master wrote: The kids wear whatever shoes they have. The camp supplies the ropes, harnesses, locking biners and some webbing; I just use my pro and supply chalk.

If you could come up with climbing shoes for the kids it would let all of them climb more challenging stuff, and make the experience a lot more enjoyable for everyone. I used to volunteer at a local rec center climbing wall, and just getting the kids into a pair of climbing shoes boosted their enjoyment and sense of accomplishment enormously.

Did I miss the word 'downclimbing' somewhere above? Have them learn to downclimb the route instead of lowering off. Good concentration on footwork then.

The Stoned Master wrote:I love all the posts! Thank you. The kids wear whatever shoes they have.

Climbing Shoes can be $, so a good idea is water sock type shoes@walmart. Make sure they are rubber bottoms not felt, and downsize. A good alternative to "whatever shoes".

Or, get a climbing gym to donate the old shoes when they are doing the yearly upgrade with their vendor. A great write off for them, shoes for you.

Good job and good luck!! Climb safe.

If their not already, teach them how to belay each other. I coach a class and kids are stoked on belaying, even back up belaying.

The Stoned Master wrote: The Kids wear whatever shoes they have. The camp supplies the ropes, harnesses, locking biners and some webbing...!

You can get rental shoes either really cheap or for free. Most will have holes just starting in the toes but are still much better than sneakers. Check around with climbing gyms to see what you can find. Many donate old shoes. In Salt Lake City they are donated to the local climbing club which sells them for almost nothing at a local swap to pay for bolts etc... I've got at least one shoe of every size so I can take visitors or friends with kids out.