Kids Rock Climbing Course

Every child leaves the day having climbed real rock, belayed a partner, and rappelled under supervision. The skills are taught in the order they are needed.

• Tying in. The figure-eight follow-through knot, and how to check it every single time.
• Belaying. How to hold a rope, catch a fall, and lower a climber safely, backed up by a guide on every belay.
• Climbing communication. The commands climbers use, why they exist, and the safety checklist that runs before anyone leaves the ground.
• Movement on rock. Using feet instead of arms, trusting friction, and reading a route before starting up it.
• Rappelling. Descending under control on a rope, which for most kids is the part they talk about all week.
• Judgment. When to rest, when to push, and how to ask for what they need. This is the part that lasts.

• Meet at the trailhead. Introductions, a gear fitting, and helmets on. Parents are welcome to stay for this part.
• Short approach. A five to fifteen minute walk to the crag, depending on the day and the group.
• Ground school. Knots, harnesses, commands, and the safety checks. Hands-on from the first minute.
• First climbs. Easy routes, top-roped, with a guide belaying. Everyone gets up something.
• Belay practice. Kids take turns belaying each other with a guide backing up every single belay.
• Rappel. Each child rappels at least once.
• Snack, more climbing, and harder routes if the group wants them.
• Pack up and walk out. Back at the trailhead at the agreed time.

The exact crag is chosen the morning of, based on weather, shade, and how busy the canyon is. All of our kids climbing venues are short walks from the road with easy-angled routes and good top-rope anchors.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

• Storm Mountain Picnic Area — the classic Salt Lake beginner venue. Short approach, a high concentration of easy top-rope routes, and the practical advantages of restrooms and picnic tables on site, which matters more than you would think on a kids day.
• Ledgemere Picnic Area — shaded, picnic tables, next to the creek, and even a safe mineshaft to explore with headlamps. A classic for the kids!
• Dogwood Crag — roughly a mile from the Big Cottonwood park-and-ride, one of the quickest crags to reach in the canyon, and a long-standing first-time-outside spot for new climbers.
• The SLC Slips — low-angle slab climbing that rewards footwork over strength, which is exactly right for a first day.

The canyon is Salt Lake City watershed. Dogs are not allowed, and we pack out everything we bring in, something we explain to the kids as part of the day.

Your child will be with AMGA guides who are approved for rock climbing instruction and hold current Wilderness First Responder certification. Guides carry a first aid kit on every trip. The ratio is never more than 4 children per guide, and every belay a child performs is backed up by a guide.

Our kids programming is led by Winslow Passey, who also runs our Kids Adventure Camp.

The Kids Rock Climbing Course is designed for children ages 7 to 13. Younger or older siblings can be accommodated on a private booking — contact us and we will tell you honestly whether it is a good fit. Children older than 14 are usually better served by our Learn to Rock Climb Outside private course.

None. Most of our students have never touched real rock, and many have never climbed in a gym either. The course starts from zero: how a harness works, how to tie in, what the commands mean. Gym experience is welcome but it is not an advantage we assume.

Climbing carries real risk, and we manage it rather than pretend it away. Every child climbs on a top rope, meaning the rope is anchored above them and there is no distance to fall. Every belay a child performs is backed up by a guide holding the rope. Guides are AMGA-certified, approved for rock climbing instruction, and hold current Wilderness First Responder certification. Helmets are worn by everyone, all day.

That is common, and it is not a problem. There is no minimum height a child has to reach and nobody is pushed. Some kids go ten feet up on their first climb and call it a great day, which it is. Guides are experienced at reading when a child needs encouragement and when they need to come down, and the goal for the day is that they want to come back.

Worst case, your kid is paralyzed by fear: our guides are trained and examined in a system that allows them to safely ascend to the individual and to help safely lower them back down to the ground. 

Yes, and many parents do. You are welcome at the meeting point and at the crag. What we ask is that you let the guides do the coaching once climbing begins, kids take instruction better from a guide when a parent is not also weighing in. They surprise themselves more when they are working it out on their own.

Comfortable clothes they can move in and are allowed to get dirty, closed-toe shoes for the approach, a water bottle, snacks or a packed lunch, sunscreen, and a hat. We provide all technical equipment: ropes and hardware, while these items are available for rent: helmet, harness, climbing shoes. 

The course is a half day, roughly four hours including the approach. Start time and meeting location depend on the day and the crag, and we confirm both with you in advance. Typically, we hold the course in the morning with a start time of 8:30 – 9:00 AM. 

Most families go one of two directions. A private Learn to Rock Climb Outside day lets a child go deeper on rope skills and harder routes. Our five-day Kids Adventure Camp broadens it out: climbing plus hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and fishing. We are happy to talk through which fits your child better.