Taking fun and learning to a whole new level
For many parents, the ideal summer camp combines physical activity, the development of character and interpersonal skills and, of course, a great deal of fun. Few sports offer children a full-body workout, a sense of responsibility and the need to develop trust and teamwork skills in the same way climbing does.
Calgary is home to a number of different summer climbing day camps, including programs at the YMCA, the University of Calgary, the Calgary Climbing Centre, and the City of Calgary. While the details differ from camp to camp, all of them give kids ample time on the climbing wall as well as instruction on climbing basics and climbing safety.
Adam Luciuk, youth director at the Saddletowne YMCA, says that climbing is a good bet for kids wanting to develop physical dexterity, since the sport does involve the entire body. Children can take the skills that they hone on the climbing wall and use them in other sports that they may participate in throughout the year.
“Climbing really helps with different types of development,” Luciuk says. “We talk a lot about physical literacy with our programs and how people should be able to move on all kinds of different terrain. Climbing provides a unique atmosphere to do that. People can work on their balance and their grip. You can incorporate balls and different games and different movements on a climbing wall.”
The other thing that learning to climb can do for a kid is help them develop a sense of responsibility and leadership. Unlike sports where participants can just grab a ball or racquet and start to play, kids need to learn how to check their own and their peers’ equipment for safety. It’s a level of responsibility that can help with overall confidence and independence.
“Humans like to be on the ground. That fear of falling is actually a good thing to fear because if you fall you’re going to hurt yourself,” Luciuk says. “Because you’re incorporating a bit of controlled risk within the climbing wall setting, it provides a really cool environment to be able to work on different leadership skills and puts people out of their comfort zone.”
Naturally, some campers are going to be nervous about scaling up a climbing wall, but any professional day camp should have instructors and staff that will work to put them at ease and explain how the equipment works to keep them safe. Luciuk recommends that once kids are comfortable on the wall, their parents should also take a climbing safety course (the YMCA offers free belay courses for adult members and most other climbing centres offer adult introductory programs) so that the benefits of climbing can extend to the entire family.
“Climbing camp is a great way to get kids into the sport, but there are also ways that adults can learn,” Luciuk says. “Once the kids and parents both have experience, it’s something they can do together.”