Youth Programs

Climbing is excellent for enhancing problem solving, communication, and leadership skills. It also great for building balance and coordination, physical strength, and self-esteem.

Approach offers three types of climbing: Bouldering, top roping (TR), and lead climbing. Bouldering and auto-belays do not require partners. Top-roping and lead climbing both require belayers.

Belaying refers to securing the climber’s rope by removing slack from the system as the climber ascends. Ultimately, their job is to prevent a ground fall. We employ ten auto-belay devices so a climbing partner is not necessary for your visit.

Wear comfortable clothes that are not too baggy or get in the way of using your fingers or toes. Jeans and rigid clothes are not recommended. Cutting your toe nails is recommended. Bring water or a reusable bottle to fill up at our drinking fountains. We also have healthy light snacks and drinks for purchase. Bring a can-do attitude and have fun!

Approach can accommodate climbers as young as 2 in our kids’ room. Adult supervision is required for any child under the age of 14. Youth and Teen Clubs will be supervised by our coaches.

Everyone who enters the gym must have a signed Visitor Agreement on file. There are no exceptions to this rule. All users 18 years of age and under must have a parental consent on file prior to accessing the facility. Please note that parents must fill out a separate waiver for themselves in addition to their children. For additional details click here.

All of our instructors are certified through the Climbing Wall Association’s Climbing Wall Instructor Program. Please see our staff page for additional certifications and details on each individual.

Our available rentals include shoes, harness, belay device, locking carabiner, and chalk bags. Climbing shoes are required for all types of climbing. A harness is also required for top roping (including auto-belays) and lead climbing. You may bring your own equipment, but the staff has the ability to reject its use if it appears inadequate or antiquated.

Our team members inspect ropes, carabiners, and harnesses daily. The climbing wall and flooring are inspected weekly.

We require climbing shoes to protect our climbing holds and climbing surfaces from spreading disease and bacteria that may have collected on your street shoes. Plus, climbing shoes are designed to make climbers better. Our rental shoes are $4 and are sanitized after every use.