indoor rock climbing classes

[midnightwriter]

How do you feel about them?

DH is nervous as he thinks rock climbing classes will lead to a dangerous passion (out door rock climbing). While I think it is a neat indoor activity . He wouldn't stop our children if they were interested in it, but he thinks I shouldn't be suggesting they take a class to see how they like it. On the other hand, he is very eager to introduce them to motorcycle riding, the sooner the better (like pre-teens). Motorcycles scare me much more

What are your experiences? Does indoor rock climbing typically lead to outdoor rock climbing?

[butterfly_mommy]

I am sure that someone who learned to rock climb inside would like to try climbing outside, and I would be fine with that as long as they knew how to do it properly and be safe (right equipment, et) Also there is a huge leap (pun intended) from learning to climb at an indoor rock climbing club and free climbing a mountain face.

I personally would much rather have my child rock climbing then motorcycle riding. However on a rather grim note when my sister and I were in an art therapy class after my father died in a motorcycle crash there was a pair of sisters their who's stepfather had died in a rock climbing incident (on a mountain in BC).

[CarrieMF]

does your dh ride motocycles himself? If so then I'm guessing it isn't that he's afraid they'll want to do outdoor climbing(which if done properly is safe) but that he wants them to be interested in something HE wants to do with them.

An indoor climbing class is not going to automatically get them to want to climb outdoors. There are plenty of people who climb outdoors who've NEVER taken an indoor climbing class.

[JamieCatheryn]

I'm all for it, in fact way more in favor of climbing with equipment than the rock climbing most boys go do given the chance. DH as a kid would just go off with his friends and climb stuff, no ropes or helmets or anything.

[eepster]

Your DH has the same amount of say in rock climbing as you do in motorcycle riding. Which one I think, or any other outside person thinks, is more or less dangerous is beside the point.

[34me]

I live in the rockes and my dd seemed to be part goat so we enrolled her at an indoor gym. She went for quite a few levels and has still never done it outside on actual rocks, just premade walls at ropes courses. I did give her a lot of confidence in other areas though.

[Irishmommy]

We all (dh, me, dd16, dd10) rock climb, in and out. It's safe as long as you follow the rules. Top roping especially is safe. My kids climb competitively, it's not a worry.

[mrskingred]

I'm all for it, but then again my DH is currently climbing in the alps with his long term climbing partner of 20+ years. When DS is old enough (he's just turned 4) we will probably encourage him to try climbing,but if he doesn't want too, that's fine.
I have no experience with motorbikes and personally, that would scare me a whole lot more.

[Mirzam]

My 12 yo DD is a competitive climber and climbs both inside and outside. It is her life's passion. Every climber (that I know of) loves to climb outside, however, you don't have to do it outside. My 10 yo DS will be climbing inside this year as a form of core strength cross-training for soccer, he enjoys it very much, but not to the extent of his sister. DD started climbing lessons when she was five and I think the first time she climbed outside was around 9 when she attended an outdoor climbing camp.

[meemee]

if dd was interested in it i would totally support her. but she doesnt like heights.

apart from just rock climbing it is a bunch of good stuff. strength training, etc.

the thing is your child might want to rock climb later on without having taken any classes when young. you never know.

i dont limit my dd's exposure to anything based on my fear.

[tine1973]

DH and I have been taking DS climbing since last summer when he turned 3. Just toproping. He has a harness and helmet and rarely gets farther than we can reach. While I wouldn't do classes, because we just aren't organized activity kind of people, I think climbing is a wonderful activity and hope that DS continues to enjoy it!

here's a pic from our recent trip to canada - a lot of times he just plays around on the ground so there's no rope involved

[One_Girl]

I don't know if it climbing the rock wall inside will lead to my dd wanting to do dangerous rock climbing later on, she is not really a dangerous activity kind of child mostly. She only likes the mild children's rides at the fair, gentle pushes on the tire swing, and isn't into outdoors beyond the park (though she is always outside in the yard or at the park). She loves climbing the rock wall at the Y though and has been doing it since she was five. She was very proud to be one of the only kids who knew how to do it and made it to the top during PE when they climbed the rock wall in kindergarten. I am not big on dangerous sports, but I see a big difference between climbing a wall that is built to be sturdy with definite spots to climb versus climbing on rock in nature and I would have that discussion with my child if she came to me and said she wanted to rock climb (I would probably also have her do research into the safety and cost of climbing somewhere dangerous). Your husband probably wouldn't refuse to let them learn to swim because they may someday want to go rafting on a level five river, why should learning to climb an artificial wall be any different.

[Peony]

We haven't gotten into rock climbing yet, DD1 has been begging me for a year but we just don't have enough time with her other sports. Maybe this winter. Sure, it could lead to outdoor rock climbing but I think that is looking too far ahead. We do sports, my 7y was out kayaking this morning so we aren't always doing the very tame ones. Next year she will start white water kayaking, this year we are keeping her in pools and lakes. I happen to live in an extreme sport area, excellent white water, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing... I am not into all those things but it doesn't stop DD1 from having a healthy love of the outdoors and being active. More then likely she will have an injury one day, it just comes along with sports, but both DH and I are ok with that.


I do send her down double black diamond slopes on her snowboard, (the child can move on a board!)I no way in heck would allow her on a motorcycle. DH raced from them from a very young age and he agrees with me.

[BeanyMama]

I think it's a great idea! If kids are into climbing, they're going to climb. An environment that supports it safety sounds good to me. I don't think outdoor rock climbing is the worst passion, either. Esp with education about it under their belts

[midnightwriter]

Thank you for your thoughts, everyone! DH is on board now, but the class doesn't fit into our fall schedule

[Sierra]

I spent most of my childhood in Colorado. Everybody climbs LOL. Your husband's concerns wouldn't have crossed my mind in a million years.

Originally Posted by butterfly_mommy

Also there is a huge leap (pun intended) from learning to climb at an indoor rock climbing club and free climbing a mountain face.

Right. Exactly. To break it down even further, should an indoor climbing interest lead to an outdoor climbing interest, there are levels of outdoor climbing. The scary stuff you see on IMAX films and stuff is not the more common type of outdoor climbing.

I remember at diabetic camp (when I was 9, 10, 11, 12...), climbing *outdoors* was a part of the regularly offered activities for all ages, including the younger kids.

I personally would much rather have my child rock climbing then motorcycle riding. However on a rather grim note when my sister and I were in an art therapy class after my father died in a motorcycle crash there was a pair of sisters their who's stepfather had died in a rock climbing incident (on a mountain in BC).

Yes. Motorcycle riding is waaaay more dangerous. I bet you could find statistics on that somewhere. How many climbing injuries, and how serious, and then how many motorcyle injuries, and how serious.

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

does your dh ride motocycles himself? If so then I'm guessing it isn't that he's afraid they'll want to do outdoor climbing(which if done properly is safe) but that he wants them to be interested in something HE wants to do with them.

Yeah, maybe that's under the surface.

An indoor climbing class is not going to automatically get them to want to climb outdoors. There are plenty of people who climb outdoors who've NEVER taken an indoor climbing class.

And vice versa. It amazes me, but there are plenty of people who do indoor climbing and never venture outdoors.

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

We all (dh, me, dd16, dd10) rock climb, in and out. It's safe as long as you follow the rules. Top roping especially is safe. My kids climb competitively, it's not a worry.

I agree. Any sport can result in injury. With the proper protective equipment, well cared for, with education, and with strict adherence to the rules, climbing is a fantastic sport.

Originally Posted by One_Girl

I am not big on dangerous sports, but I see a big difference between climbing a wall that is built to be sturdy with definite spots to climb versus climbing on rock in nature.

It's sad in a way, but I actually thing some kids never really make the connection between indoor climbing structures and the fact that they could actually do the same thing outdoors. It's not an automatic association, I guess.

Originally Posted by BeanyMama

I think it's a great idea! If kids are into climbing, they're going to climb.

Yes!

And thanks for a good idea of something I haven't introduced to my kids that I might want to do one of these days when I can get some bucks together.

[Ellie'sMom]

My 8 year old dd has been climbing (indoors) for almost a year and it has been amazing for her! She has always been pretty risk averse and if anything, climbing has given her lots of physical confidence.

I am glad she will have some preparation should she ever decide to climb outside. I have been drooling over this camp for her in a couple of years, though we might have to win the lottery for that to be a possibility.

Since we live in FL (highest peak: 345 ft.), I guess we're not too worried about her running off and climbing a cliff.

And motorcycle riding is waaay scarier in my opinion!