Junior Climbing Camp
A 2.5-day weekend climbing camp for 5th-8th graders of all abilities interested in exploring and/or progressing as outdoor climbers.Climbing Camp Overview
WHO
Tween climbers of all identities & abilities entering 5th-8th grades
WHAT
2-day, 2-night sleepaway outdoor rock climbing camp
WHERE
Devil’s Lake SP - Baraboo, WI
WHEN
I. Jun 12 - Jun 14
II. July 31 - Aug 2
PRICE
$595 includes meals, camping, instruction & most equipment
GROUP SIZE
12 students per session; 4:1 student/staff ratio
A WeekEnd Filled with Climbing & Outdoor Living
Junior Climbing Camp provides an opportunity for pre-teens & young teenagers (aka “tweens”) to experience an extended weekend of climbing and camping among the quartzite bluffs of Devils Lake.
Character Development
A tween is someone in the age group in-between a child and a teenager. It is an exciting, curious, and often confusing time for both tweens and parents alike. This period is filled with rapid physical growth, emotional changes, and social realization. It is truly one of our favorite populations to work with!
It can be difficult to summarize “what happens” at a weekend of camp. What we do know is that outdoor recreation, climbing specifically, is a great outlet for these rapidly developing tweens to be challenged, expressive, and inquisitive amongst peers who are experiencing many of the same changes, even if they are afraid to admit it. For many, it makes the beginning of much larger adventures to come.
Outdoor Adventures for 5th - 8th Graders
Campers will spend time each day exploring the world renowned climbing routes at Devils Lake State Park under the instruction of experienced, professional guides. Though climbing is one of the primary goals, campers will partake in many other forms of outdoor recreation, including: hiking, swimming, and campfire & field games.
We are keen on giving our clients responsibility over their days; our tweens campers are no different. In addition to progressing as climbers, campers will develop independence skills to carry on to life beyond camp. Under the guidance of our instructors, campers will work independently and collaborate as a team to create daily agendas, practice necessary self-care, and prep & cook meals.
“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 throughout the week
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
Mature teens (ages 13-14) who are interested in an extended, more intense offering may consider our Teen Climbing Camp.
WHEN AND WHERE IS CAMP?
Campers will meet at a campsite (specific to each session) at Devil’s Lake State Park at 4:30 PM on Friday afternoon. Pickup will be at Ski Hi Fruit Farm (yum!) on Sunday at 4:30 PM.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
The daily camp agenda is not predetermined, and will remain flexible based on interests and weather. Students can expect to engage in:
Camp Setup & Breakdown: tents, sleeping gear, shared spaces, campfires, defending against adverse weather and raccoons(!)
Nutrition & Hydration: meal planning & preparation, cooking, clean up, packing lunch
Self-Care: personal hygiene, sun protection, sufficient hydration, adequate sleep, and communicating personal needs
Trip Planning: selecting destinations and climbing routes, packing personal and group gear, setting individual and group objectives
Risk Management: understanding core concepts of risk and risk management, tracking weather forecasts, learning climbing best practices, managing time, creating contingency plans, effective communication
Outdoor Adventure: hiking, swimming, and lots of climbing!
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?
The daily camp agenda is not predetermined, and will remain flexible based on interests and weather. Students can expect to engage in:
Camp Setup & Breakdown: tents, sleeping gear, shared spaces, campfires, defending against adverse weather and raccoons(!)
Nutrition & Hydration: meal planning & preparation, cooking, clean up, packing lunch
Self-Care: personal hygiene, sun protection, sufficient hydration, adequate sleep, and communicating personal needs
Trip Planning: selecting destinations and climbing routes, packing personal and group gear, setting individual and group objectives
Risk Management: understanding core concepts of risk and risk management, tracking weather forecasts, learning climbing best practices, managing time, creating contingency plans, effective communication
Outdoor Adventure: hiking, swimming, and lots of climbing!
“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 Junior 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 Junior Climbing Camp Lead Instructors undergo ACA Mental Health 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 Junior 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, or a car accident occurs driving to the crag, a participant 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, carabiners, crash pads, etc). 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.
“Junior 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
Junior 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 a core value of our experience together. Small class sizes create a meaningful adventure environment and help us manage risk.
Attitude
We treat youth clients with the same respect, attention, and enthusiasm with which we treat adults. We hope to pass along a passion for adventure while facilitating personal growth. We truly love what we do and can't wait to meet your students!
Psych
We’re climbers ourselves. We understand the positive impact climbing can have through personal experience, and feel incredibly fortunate to share it with others. Especially when done in an immersive experience at Devils Lake, our home crag.
Example instructors
Kyle Harding is a loving father, passionate climber, a seasoned educator. He works full-time as a special education teacher. He is excited to return for another summer filled with adventure.
Michal Watson is climbing instructor, dog mom, creative maker, and middle school librarian. She has been teaching and coaching rock climbing, paddling and biking with youth for over 10 years.
Vincente Delgado is a Milwaukee elementary school teacher, cycling enthusiast, runner, cook and maker. He has been guiding rock climbing for over a decade and is a PCIA Single Pitch Instructor.
Tyler Davis guides both rock and ice climbing and has experience working throughout the East Coast and Midwest. A true professional who puts clients at ease, he knows how to inject fun into every day.
Ready For Greatness?
2026 Dates Available Monday Dec. 1st
Click the yellow button to reach our camp registration form. Once you’ve completed it and paid, we will send additional information on camp logistics. Please contact us with any questions.