Backwoods Mama
  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

      June 1, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
  • Printables
  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      5 Tips for Visiting Kangaroo Creek Farm…

      July 18, 2017

  • Okanagan Trail Map
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Partner with Me
  • Home
  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Cooking & Crafting

      How to Make Birdseed Ornaments for Wild…

      November 27, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Beautiful Spring Picture Books for Children

      March 28, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Playing in Nature Protects Our Children During…

      March 17, 2020

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      50+ Spring Nature Activities for Kids of…

      March 3, 2020

      Crafting

      How to Make a Willow Nature Crown…

      July 2, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      9 Special Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice…

      June 1, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      A Beginner’s Guide to Pond Dipping with…

      May 20, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      How Pokémon Can Get Kids Bird Watching

      April 30, 2019

      Nevada, USA

      Rock Climbing and Hiking Around Las Vegas…

      April 24, 2019

      Raising Outdoor Kids

      Signs of Spring Nature Walk for Kids…

      April 5, 2019

  • Spring Outside 2020
  • My Nature Adventure Journal
  • Printables
  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      5 Tips for Visiting Kangaroo Creek Farm…

      July 18, 2017

  • Okanagan Trail Map
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Partner with Me

Backwoods Mama

Canadian AdventuresOkanagan

A Beginner’s Guide to Learning How to Rock Climb with Kids

May 25, 2017

Rock climbing can seem pretty intimidating, even downright scary. I mean who really wants to scale a vertical rock wall while relying on the safety of a harness and a seemingly thin rope. We do!! These days all sorts of people climb, young and old, guys and girls (even pregnant women). Rock climbing is becoming much more mainstream and accessible; it’s even been approved for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Whoop!

So how does a newbie family get started? If your family has little or no rock climbing experience here’s my beginner’s guide to learning how to rock climb with your kids.

Step 1: Find a Local Climbing Gym

For families wanting to learn how to rock climb, a climbing gym is the best place to start. Here you can rent equipment (shoes, harness, chalk bag), learn the basics of climbing and connect with other climbing families.  Climbing gyms have programs in place for newbie families and kids. It’s the perfect place for kids (and adults) to gain confidence on a wall and feel comfortable being belayed and lowered on a rope. Most cities and bigger towns have at least one climbing gym. Here’s a list of climbing gyms in the Okanagan Valley:

  • Beyond the Crux Climbing Gym (Kelowna, BC)
  • Gneiss (Kelowna, BC)
  • Hoodoo Adventure Climbing Gym (Penticton, BC)
  • The Rock Garden (Vernon, BC)

For a worldwide list of indoor climbing gyms go to: World-wide Rock Climbing Gym & Artificial Wall Listing

Step 2: Learn the Fundamentals of Outdoor Sport Climbing (Take a Course!)

The transition from climbing in an indoor gym to climbing on rock is a big one, and the safest way to make this transition is to take a rock climbing course. A beginner rock climbing course will teach you how to belay, make anchor systems, stay safe and take care of your gear. These courses are offered by your local adventure company and usually rental gear is included. Depending on the ages of your kids you might be able to take a family rock climbing course.

Here are some companies in the Okanagan Valley that offer rock climbing courses:

  • Hoodoo Adventures: Rappelling Tours and Courses
  • Skaha Rock Adventures Ltd.

Step 3: Get Geared Up

Somewhere between checking out the indoor climbing gym and taking a course you’ll likely have started accumulating climbing gear for your family. That’s great! Usually it starts with climbing shoes and harnesses for indoor climbing. Here’s a list a of the gear you will need to get started on your outdoor sport climbing adventures.: (* = be sure to try these on in the store for proper fit)

  • climbing shoes* (for little kids or for bigger kids)
  • climbing harnesses* (for little kids or for bigger kids)
  • helmets*
  • chalk bag + chalk
  • locking carabiners
  • belay device
  • rappel device
  • climbing rope + rope bag
  • quickdraws
  • slings
  • a guide book of your local crags
  • a backpack to put it all in
  • belay glasses (optional)

Step 4: Go Rock Climbing!

Once your family has gained confidence at the local gym, taken a rock climbing course and geared up – it’s time to go rock climbing! If you’re feeling nervous about getting out with your family I recommend teaming up with another experienced rock climber for your first times out. It’s always nice to have some extra helping hands, especially when there are kids climbing.

If you’re climbing at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park in the Okanagan Valley, BC here are a few of our favourite spots to take our kids climbing:

Rock Climbing with Kids at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park: Daycare and Red Tail Wall

Rock Climbing with Kids at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park: Kids’ Cliff

A Beginner’s Guide to Learning How to Rock Climb with Kids was last modified: May 27th, 2019 by Josée
Climbing GearFamily Rock ClimbingHoodoo AdventuresIndoor Climbing GymKids Rock ClimbingRock Climbing CoursesSkaha Bluffs Provincial ParkSkaha Rock Adventures
3 comments
2
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
previous post
Rock Climbing with Kids at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park: Kids’ Cliff
next post
Camping at Kettle River Recreation Area near Rock Creek, BC

Related Articles

10 Tips for Beginner Downhill Skiing Families

January 19, 2017

Meadowlark Nature Festival: Nature Photography Workshop

May 21, 2016

Hiking to Crawford/Canyon Falls in the Winter

February 15, 2017

Hiking Mount Kobau: Testalinden Trail

May 22, 2016

Photographing the Perseid Meteor Shower

August 15, 2016

The Freakn’ Farmer – 2014

September 21, 2014

Our First Week of #FallOutside2016

November 7, 2016

Ticks in the Okanagan Valley: Types, Prevention...

May 4, 2017

The Pharmasave Okanagan Falls Junior Triathlon

June 20, 2016

3 comments

Monica Miller May 30, 2017 at 1:02 pm

Thank you SO much for writing this! We have a local indoor climbing gym that we’ve been meaning to check out…our guy is only 17 months now but I can see something like this on the horizon!

Reply
Annika Mang August 9, 2017 at 12:42 pm

Great guide for families looking to get started! I added your link to my climbing blog post!

Reply
Rosa November 10, 2018 at 1:51 am

Amazing! Kids like to climbing. I think it’s a great way to keep kids busy at home. Its really good fun for kids and also good for kids health and physical and mental growth. Thanks for such a lovely ideas.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Recipe Rating




Sign up for the Backwoods Mama Newsletter!

My Nature Adventure Journal

Okanagan Trail Map

© Backwoods Mama 2009-2020. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top