The indoor climbing camp, or ICC, is the first level of serious commitment for young climbers. The standard progression for a student in The Spot Climbing School begins with Kids Climb, our drop in class where clients are able to test the water and see if this sport is something they like. The next step is a Geckos class which is a one month course with four sessions but is still for entry level climbers. In ICC, our climbers have gone through Kids Climb and/or Geckos and have decided that they want to expand their knowledge of the sport as well as their ability. ICC requires more of a commitment than our basic classes. The three month course moves away from standard instruction and supervision and moves towards more personalized coaching. The climbers in ICC are able to move at their own pace be it ahead or a little behind the curve.
Curriculum
ICC climbers are generally not new to the gym. This allows us to dive right into the program’s more advanced material. Despite this, all climbers in the program will review the basic skills required for climbing in an environment as unique as The Spot. These skills are falling, landing and topping out, as well as our standard gym safety. Our curriculum has a clear progression of skills with multiple levels of understanding achievable in each one. At the beginning of the three month program, climbers will learn about different wall features, grip types, and how to read all the tape in the gym. Climbers will then learn about the significance and necessity of footwork. This ranges from the design of climbing shoes to basic movement techniques such as heel rotation and hip placement. From there we move on to more advanced body positioning and directional holds as well as the differences between static and dynamic movement. At the end of the three months we will cover skills for climbing with a rope. These skills include knowledge of the climbing harness, the belay commands, climbing knots, and rappelling. Because climbers may stay in the ICC after the three month duration, they will be able to raise their level of understanding for all of these skills.
Content
Each day of ICC is a two hour period consisting of lessons and ample climbing time. Though each climber will be working at his or her own pace, there will be a general goal for progress made during each session. Climbers will have access to the entire facility and all to tools we offer for advancing their understanding of the sport. Our ICC instructors/coaches have numerous years of climbing and teaching experience under their belts. They all have expansive knowledge of the content in the curriculum as well as their own methods and teaching techniques. Along with climbing, participants will be given training which improves body awareness and strength.
Conclusion
ICC is for climbers seriously interested in expanding their climbing ability in a relatively short period of time. The program offers young climbers the tools they need to reach their potential and to have fun while doing so. Once mastership is shown in the subject areas of ICC, climbers are encouraged to advance onto the next level of The Spot Climbing School, the Youth Club and eventually the Junior Team.
Prerequisites and/or exclusions
Participants must be familiar with The Spot as well as have some basic climbing experience. They should be interested in progressing their climbing ability beyond the basics.
Who, What, Where When, Cost
Who: Kids ages 8-12
What: Indoor Climbing Camp (ICC)
Where: The Spot Bouldering Gym & Climbing School
3240 Prairie Ave.Boulder CO 80302
When: Wednsdays 4pm-6pm OR
Fridays 4pm-6pm (pick one)
Cost: $115/month with a 3 month minimum commitment
ICC Wednesday Registration
ICC Friday Registration
Spot Climbing School Cancellation Policy