Once an activity for hippies, tree huggers, or granola people, rock climbing is now a commercialized recreational activity for everyone. The advent and expansion of the indoor climbing industry have led to many opportunities for youth to try rock climbing. Outside of rock climbing birthday parties, summer camps are the most significant youth program success across rock climbing.
I am proof of their success. I was introduced to rock climbing through a summer camp at age 10, then went on to do kids climbing classes, more summer camps, and the youth climbing team. Eventually, I worked for the gym and ended my time there as a counselor for their summer camp. Having experienced two rock climbing summer camps and worked at one, I am offering firsthand insight into what you can expect from kids at rock climbing summer camps. From a weekly overview to ideas for daily activities, food provisions, or needs, I’ll leave you confident in sending your kid(s) to a rock climbing camp and prepared to send them everything they’ll need to have a blast!
A Week in the Life of a Camper
Weekly Climbing Summer Camp Overview
While each camp will be unique to the gym and location, you can expect camp to run from Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. A session, the number of weeks you can register for at once, is likely one or two weeks. For a camp operating on one-week sessions, you can expect 3 to 4 days of indoor climbing and 1-2 days of outdoor field trips.
Within each session, counselors will place campers into small groups based on age and ability, ensuring each child's safe and enjoyable experience. The youngest age accepted is typically between 5 and 7 years old, with the oldest being 13 or 14 (in some states, youth can start working as counselors or junior counselors at age 15). Grouping the campers by age and ability helps them make friends or have a climbing buddy and ensures their safety. There will be campers who’ve signed up with friends or siblings and formed natural groupings, but rest assured that the counselors will try their best to help integrate kids who came to camp alone.
Daily Breakdown
At rock climbing summer camps, the days are filled with a diverse range of activities to keep your child engaged and excited. While climbing is the main focus, the schedule includes a mix of camp games and non-climbing activities. Here's a glimpse of the variety your camper can expect during the week!
Example Camp Activities
Climbing Related Games
Add-on
Twister
Shark Attack
Relay Races
Rappelling
Non-climbing games
Capture-the-flag
Hide-and-seek
Sardines
Obstacles courses
Arts-and-crafts
Bracelet making
Tie-dye
Drawing
Fuse beads
Watching age-appropriate climbing competitions or movies
Food and Drink Expectations
Full-day climbing camps will tire out your kiddos and demand lots of energy. Depending on the camp, they may provide an allergy-friendly snack each day and maybe pizza for Friday lunch. However, you know your child best, and they’ll have easy access to their lunch boxes. I’d suggest packing extra snacks, a hearty lunch, and plenty of water. Also, if you have the means and are comfortable sending a few dollars with them one or two days a week to buy a fun snack for the climbing gym, it will make your camper’s day! The odds are high that their friend or another camper will buy a snack sold at the climbing gym, and then every other camper will want to buy that snack, too (good old monkey see, monkey must have).
Here’s a quick recap of what you should expect the camp to provide and what you should send with your child:
Snack
Camp provides one allergy-friendly snack
Pack 2-3 extra snacks
Lunch
Camp costs may include pizza on Friday
Plan to pack a hearty, nutritious lunch each day
Outdoor days
Pack lots of snacks for the kiddos
Pack easy-to-eat foods like sandwiches, granola bars, and unwrapped foods
Hydration
Pack lots of water and electrolyte drinks
Optional:
Money for snacks (when their friends buy a snack, they’ll want one, too).
Gear Expectations
The best attire to send your child is athletic clothes. Opt for layers as they may be cold in the AC or when resting between climbs. Look for breathable fabrics, especially on days they are climbing outside in the summer heat and humidity (of course, weather and clothing needs will vary depending on where you live)! If your child has their climbing gear, send it with them as it’s more comfortable. No worries if they don’t. The rock gym will lend the necessary gear to all campers. Since the camp will likely consist of climbing and non-climbing activities, sneakers are the best shoe choice, and packing an extra pair of socks is always a good idea.
Take it from a former rock climbing camp; you can expect your kid(s) to have fun, make unforgettable memories, and get hooked on rock climbing if they aren’t already. Their week will consist of indoor days and an outdoor field trip, a mix of climbing and games, arts and crafts, and lots of snack time. If you want a more detailed overview or daily agenda, don’t hesitate to contact the facilitating climbing gym. The staff, who are always ready to assist, will happily answer your questions and help you navigate the summer camp scheduling process. Please feel free to share any additional comments or questions on the topic below!
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