Teen Climbing Camp
An inclusive five-day overnight climbing camp for teenagers of all abilities interested in the art, skill, and practice of rock climbing.WHO
Teens of all identities & abilities entering 7th-12th grades.
Climbing Camp Overview
WHAT
5-day, 5-night sleepaway outdoor rock climbing camp
WHERE
Devil’s Lake SP - Baraboo, WI
WHEN
Sunday (4:30pm) - Friday (4:30pm), see dates below
PRICE
$1,695 includes meals, camping, instruction & most equipment
GROUP SIZE
12 students per session; 4:1 student/staff ratio
A Week of Outdoor Climbing & Camping
Teen Climbing Camp uses rock climbing as a vehicle to promote growth. 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 an eye-opening, life-changing experience.
SKILL-BUILDING CLIMBING ADVENTURES FOR 7TH - 12TH GRADERS
Campers spend a lots of time exploring climbing routes and boulder problems under the instruction of experienced, professional guides. In addition to challenging their personal climbing skills, students 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 and field games. We know how to have fun!
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.
Students should expect to work both independently and as a team to navigate complex decisions and manage risk throughout the week. By week’s 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
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
Teens who are not quite ready for a week of camp might consider our extended weekend offering, Tween 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 Sunday afternoon. Pickup will be at Ski Hi Fruit Farm (yum!) on Friday 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 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 daypacks, tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.
On-site transportation, camping, and meals are all-inclusive, allowing for group travel and camping together. We prepare nutritious meals on-site, and can accommodate most dietary needs (with help from students).
Special Sessions
This year we are offering two special sessions in 2026. Open any special session below to learn more.
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OVERVIEW
The Crux Session is for dedicated climbers looking to push their limits. While the general camp structure is the same, our climbing days focus on trying hard on difficult climbs. This session is for climbers who aren’t afraid to throw themselves at an initially impossible feeling project; the ones who embrace failure as part of the process; those who are interested in pushing their personal limits.
CURRICULUM
Some common lesson topics include:
Projecting: Projecting is an important skill set for progressing as a climber. It requires a tenacious, yet patient attitude. The process involves repeated failure before success. We’ll discuss how to pick an appropriate project, work through individual sections, link these sections together, and ultimately send the route!
Applying Tactics: Tactics are day-of strategies that can greatly increase your chances of sending. We’ll cover common, but often overlooked tactics, like an adequate warm up or proactive skin care, to more specific tactics, like brushing holds or visual/verbal cues on route. We’ll arm climbers with an array of tactics they can implement on difficult routes.
Resting/Recovery: Adequate rest is one of the most overlooked elements in climbing success. We’ll discover the importance of rest and recovery on “off” days, at the crag, and on the project route through a variety of discussions and drills.
Training: Training is essential in progressing as a climber. We’ll discuss useful strength training and climbing drills you can implement into your sessions to help take your climbing to the next level.
PREREQUISITES
Campers must be in high school (9th - 12th grades) and meet one of the following criteria to register for this session:
A returning camper who excelled on the difficult routes during their last session.
An athlete on a climbing team with a letter of recommendation from a coach describing character, climbing experience, and any other pertinent information.
The ability to consistently climb outdoor routes of 5.8 or harder or indoor routes of 5.10 or harder.
FAQsWill we be trying hard every single day of camp?
No. Climbing at your max for five days in a row is a recipe for injury. You can expect 3-4 days of difficult climbing and 1-2 active rest days throughout the week.
Am I strong enough for this session?
Yes, most likely. We aren’t necessarily concerned about what specific grade you climb, as much as your attitude towards trying hard and your preparedness for the week. If you climb regularly, you should have the stamina for success.
Is this camp intended for one discipline (boulderers vs sport climbers, competition climbers vs outdoor climbers, etc)?
No. We will spend time both bouldering and rope climbing. While campers may align with one discipline more than another, the lessons learned and skills gained can be applied to any discipline.
Will we go to the same crag each day to work on projects?
We will potentially revisit a crag to work on projects though it is unlikely we will visit the same crag every single day of the week.
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OVERVIEW
New for 2026, we are excited to offer a girls-only session. While the general Camp structure is the same, this session is for girls, femme, and non-binary climbers and will be lead by women instructors.
FAQs
Why a girls-only session?
Girls-only events provide a unique experience from co-ed offerings. One that feels empowering, open, and safe for many. We firmly believe that these traits help build confidence, strengthen relationships, and spark new ideas amongst teens well beyond just climbing.
Who makes up the instructor team?
Our Women+ instructor team is a wealth of knowledge with hundreds of days of combined instruction. Lead instructors are certified as AMGA Single Pitch Instructors and Wilderness First Responders. All TCC staff are SafeSport trained and ACA Mental Health certified.
“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 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 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, 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.
“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 a 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 with 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!
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 a week at a time at our home bluffs of Devils Lake State Park.
LEAD instructors
Kyle Harding (6th season) 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 (4th season) 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.
Mark Grman (5th season) brings 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.
Tyler Davis (3rd season) guides both rock and ice climbing and has experience working throughout the East Coast and Midwest. Tyler is a true professional who puts his clients at ease and knows how to inject fun into every interaction.
Vincente Delgado (2nd season) is an 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.
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.