Teen Rock Climbing Camp
An inclusive five-day overnight climbing camp for teenagers of all abilities interested in the art, skill, and practice of rock climbing.Climbing Camp Overview
WHO
Teens of all identities & abilities entering 7th-12th grades.
WHAT
5-day, 5-night sleepaway outdoor rock climbing camp
WHERE
Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin
WHEN
Sunday (4:30pm) - Friday (4:30pm) (see dates below)
PRICE
$1,450 includes meals, camping, instruction & most equipment
GROUP SIZE
12 students per session; 4:1 max student/staff ratio
A WEEK OF OUTDOOR CLIMBING & CAMPING
Teen Climbing Camp uses rock climbing as a vehicle to promote growth amongst campers. It offers participants the opportunity to unplug from their routines and engage with new friends in a challenging, yet supportive environment. It can be difficult to summarize “what happens” during a week of camp. Everyone’s experience is a little different, but for most, it is a life-changing experience.
Skill-building climbing adventures
for 7th - 12th Graders
Campers will spend a significant amount of time exploring climbing routes and boulder problems under the instruction of experienced, professional guides. In addition to challenging their personal climbing skills, they will have the opportunity to learn a variety of technical skills. Belaying, rappelling, scrambling, and anchor building are just a few of the topics frequently covered throughout the week. Though climbing is one of the primary goals, camp allows for many other forms of outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, and campfire/yard games.
Character Development
In addition to progressing as climbers, campers develop foundational leadership skills relevant to both outdoor living and life beyond camp. We are serious about putting our campers in the “driver’s seat” and asking them to take responsibility for their days. They should expect to work both independently and as a team to navigate complex decisions and manage risk throughout the week. By the end campers will be practicing self care, cooking their own meals, and developing meaningful daily agendas.
“I went into the camp thinking that I was going to be the oldest and most inexperienced climber (an awkward situation I have found myself in several times). But instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find a large range of age and experience. Some people climbed competitively, some were naturals, and some had never climbed before. I was also delighted to find out that I was not the only 16-year-old there. In the end the camp was a lot of fun because I didn’t feel insecure about my age or my climbing abilities.”
Logistics
Dig Into the Details!
WHO IS CAMP FOR? Campers of all identities and abilities entering 7th-12th grade with a strong interest in climbing are welcome. Though previous exposure to climbing, outdoor living, and time away from family are helpful, it is not required.
We expect students to demonstrate maturity in handling self-care and group responsibilities during camp. Examples include:
Rise and prepare yourself each morning for the day’s agenda
Learn, follow, and lead with group responsibilities around camp
Maintain an optimistic attitude
Engage with adversity and explore responsible ways to overcome it
Prepare to accept (and even embrace) failure in the pursuit of learning
Step up to support and help the team
Communicate clearly and effectively
WHEN AND WHERE IS CAMP? Campers will meet at a campsite (specific to each session) at Devil’s Lake State Park at 4:30pm on Sunday afternoon. Pickup will be at Ski Hi Fruit Farm (yum!) on Friday at 4:30pm.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING? The daily camp agenda is not predetermined, and will remain flexible based on interests and weather. Student can expect to engage in:
Camp Setup & Breakdown: tents, sleeping gear, shared spaces, campfires, defending against adverse weather and raccoons(!)
Nutrition & Hydration: meal preparation, cooking, clean up, packing lunch
Self-Care: personal hygiene, sun protection, sufficient hydration, adequate sleep
Trip Planning: selection of climbs, packing personal and group gear, setting individual and group objectives
Risk Management: tracking weather, learning climbing best practices, managing time, creating contingency plans
Outdoor Adventure: hiking, swimming, and lots of climbing
WHAT IS INCLUDED/NEEDED? A detailed packing list will be shared with you following registration. We value our ability to provide most climbing, camping, and cooking gear, but campers provide their own tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. On-site transportation, camping, and meals are all-inclusive, allowing for group travel and camping together. We prepare nutritional meals on-site.
“Camp helped me to open up a little. At the very first meeting, Kyle told us that the first night is always awkward but -by the next day- people are friends, and he was right. During the first icebreaker no one wanted to volunteer to introduce themselves, but, by that night, everyone was chatting around the fire. So, it took less than a night even though it was a relatively big group. Usually I am pretty shy and I struggle to connect with new people, but everyone was so friendly that I felt comfortable with stepping out of my comfort zone.”
Managing Risk
Preventing accidents, minimizing consequences
Climbing Camp activities carry inherent, unavoidable physical and emotional risks. We manage these risks, but we cannot eliminate them. This is what we mean when we refer to "real" adventure. We believe engaging in activities with real consequences creates a potent learning environment.
To mitigate the risks involved in our activities, we take the following steps:
TRAINED STAFF - All Teen Climbing Camp Lead Instructors complete a variety of rigorous trainings to prepare them for camp.
All Lead Instructors, and many of our Apprentice/Assistant Instructors are certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructors, the gold standard for single-pitch climbing terrain.
All Lead Instructors hold current Wilderness First Responder certification. This 80-hour training is specific to managing injuries and illnesses in areas where definitive medical care is delayed two or more hours.
All Teen Climbing Camp Lead Instructors undergo L.E.A.D. Camp Mental Health & Inclusion training. This helps us recognize and address mental health challenges with strategies developed by mental health professionals. We consciously create an inclusive environment through education on systemic injustices specific to teens who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized identities.
All Teen Climbing Camp Lead Instructors are trained in athlete abuse prevention from SafeSport, a national organization which provides education on recognizing and preventing abuse to young athletes.
FRANK TALK - We help students and parents understand the risks inherent to our adventures, and we don't hide possible consequences. If a large rock strikes your head, a submerged log catches your sandal, a car accident occurs driving to the crag, you can be seriously injured or killed. We discuss risk so students can confront, consider, and make more informed decisions.
ADVANCED INSTRUCTION - Learning the right skills in a low-risk atmosphere increases the likelihood of success in more adverse conditions. We conduct ground schools to help students understand the skills and communications they will need to successfully navigate the terrain of our adventures.
INSTRUCTOR JUDGMENT - Our daily itinerary is subject to a variety of factors. Weather, individual abilities, and other user groups are an important factor in all outdoor sports. We make daily, in-the-moment decisions to best suit campers.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT - We follow industry standards and take a balanced approach to safety equipment (helmets, harnesses, ropes). Instructors carry first aid kits appropriate to their level of training, and cell phones in the event of an emergency.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS - For every area we adventure in, we know where to find emergency medical help. In the case of traumatic accidents, we call 911 and manage injuries/illnesses until definitive care arrives. For non-emergency illnesses, we consult with parents, when possible, and act accordingly.
“Teen Climbing Camp is a community that is united around a passion for the outdoors, exercise, and climbing that is separate from differing beliefs and experiences. The camp is physically demanding, but you learn important skills (communication, responsibility, safety, etc.) that will help you in the real world.”
Staff
Teen Climbing Camp staff meet high standards as educators, facilitators, and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Please learn more below and let us know if you have questions regarding our training, philosophy, or backgrounds. We want parents and students to have a strong idea of who we are, why we do this work, and where our strengths lie.
Training
All Lead Instructors are:
Small class sizes
We maintain a maximum 4:1 ratio of students to instructors because we know mentor-mentee relationships are the core value of our experience together. Small class sizes create a meaningful adventure environment and help us manage risk.
Attitude
We treat our youth clients the same respect, attention and enthusiasm with which we treat adult clients. We hope to pass along a passion for adventure while facilitating personal growth for these young adults. We truly love what we do and can't wait to meet your students!
LEAD instructors
Mark Grman (he/him) returns for his third season of TCC, bringing his calm, grounding presence, and delicious chef skills. During time away from camp, Mark loves connecting with his fellow guides to climb at Devil’s Lake.
Kyle Harding (he/him) is a passionate climber, a seasoned educator, and a first-time father. He works full-time as a special education teacher and has been a part of Teen Climbing Camp from the beginning. He is excited to return for another summer filled with adventure.
Carrie Van Lanen (she/her) is a nature-lover, event planning extraordinaire, and warm, encouraging instructor. When she’s not at camp, she’s route-setting at Boulders Climbing Gym, leading private climbing trips, or cruising favorite routes and boulders.
Nick Wilkes (he/him) has taught outdoor sports like sailing, paddling, canyoneering, rock climbing, mountain biking and team-building for over 20 years. He holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from Antioch University and has over 1,500 days of field instruction under his belt.
Ready For Greatness?
sign up for 2024 Dates >>>
Click the yellow button to reach our camp registration form. Once you’ve paid and registered, we will send additional information on camp logistics and request personal details regarding your camper(s). Please contact us with any questions.