Indoor Rock Climbing

At-a-Glance

Indoor Rock Climbing is a half-day program (3.5 hours) facilitated at one of many state-of-the-art climbing gyms around the country.

After a warm-up to get participants comfortable with each other, team members pair up, one person “on belay” supporting and observing the climber, providing the type and amount of help the climber needs—the other in a harness scaling the wall. We set up small teams in a competition, incorporating tandem-climbing, blind-folded climbing, and other methods of encouraging interdependence and collaboration.

We complete the adventure by debriefing the day’s experiences and drawing parallels to workplace dynamics.

The Facilitators’ Role

Prep

• Review all pre-program communication.

Logistics

• Releases: collect and review for skipped signatures, cross-outs and missing dates; communicate with lead facilitator as needed.
• Supplies: distribute according to plan.
• Safety: facilitators are not in charge of safety; the climbing gym assumes all responsibility for safety.
• Photos: take pictures throughout program and, most important and often forgotten, a final large group photo.

Facilitation

• Lead facilitator introduces the program.
• Be a super star! Be proactive and anticipate needs. This is not a time to socialize with facilitators, our clients perception of our involvement in the program and our professionalism will be higher if you engage with the teams.
• Assist lead facilitator in orchestrating and supervising the rotation of small teams on the wall. We collaborate with climbing gym staff as they manage the safety.
• Co-Facilitator may facilitate a problem-solving team challenge at the start and assist with scoring and possibly note taking.
• Lead facilitator wraps up program by leading a large group debrief.

Clean-up

• Pack supplies for return shipping.

Why Indoor Rock Climbing is Such a Great Program!

• You can do it year round!
• Climbers learn the patience and persistence necessary to set and achieve realistic goals.
• Helps to develop coaching skills, goal-setting processes and creative problem-solving.
• The Challenge-by-Choice philosophy enables every participant to experience success in the context of their own aspirations.
• At the end of the day, participants have gained comfort with taking risks, increased their self-confidence, and improved their communication with teammates.