Climbing Groups

Where Community Meets Challenge

When your teen finally finds their people through shared adventure

When Therapy-Resistant Teens Finally Engage

Your teen may shut down in therapy and avoid social activities, but something changes when they're 40 feet up a climbing wall with peers who understand the struggle.

These aren't "social skills groups" or therapy sessions disguised as activities. They're genuine challenges where teens earn respect through capability, forge authentic friendships through shared accomplishment, and discover they're stronger than they believed.

While individual mentorship creates deep transformation, climbing groups offer something equally powerful: the chance to find their tribe while proving their strength. No forced conversation. No processing feelings. Just teens demonstrating to themselves and their peers that they can handle far more than anyone expected.

This is peer learning the way humans evolved to do it - through challenge that reveals capability and community that celebrates growth over comfort.

How Climbing Groups Create Real Change

Structured Curriculum Integration - Each session combines intentional skill themes with climbing practice, using group check-ins, experiential drills, and reflection to ensure skills transfer beyond the wall.

Peer Learning Through Challenge - Teens learn by watching others navigate similar struggles and overcome fears they thought were impossible. Progress becomes visible and achievable when witnessed in peers facing the same challenges.

Natural Leadership Development - As skills develop, experienced members mentor newcomers, discovering the profound satisfaction of helping others succeed. Teaching climbing technique becomes practice for communication, patience, and encouragement.

Authentic Community Building - Friendships form through shared accomplishment and mutual support during challenges, not forced social activities or artificial team-building exercises.

Individual Benefits of Challenge-Based Development - Improved fitness, body awareness, kinesthetic intelligence, problem-solving under pressure, and embodied confidence that transfers to all life areas.

Two Focused Programs to Start

Executive Edge Climbing (Ages 12-15)

Developing executive functioning and emotional regulation through adventure

Perfect for teens who struggle with organization, planning, or following through on goals - building these capabilities through climbing challenges that require real preparation, emotional control, and adaptive problem-solving when things don't go as planned.

What develops: Planning and sequencing abilities, working memory through complex movement patterns, cognitive flexibility when plans change, organization through gear management, emotional regulation through controlled stress exposure.

Ideal for: ADHD teens, anyone struggling with executive functioning, teens who need concrete practice with organizational skills and coping strategies rather than abstract discussion.

Sessions focus on experiential learning through creative climbing challenges designed specifically for younger teens.

Social Strength Climbing (Ages 14-18)

Perfect for teens who struggle with social anxiety, need authentic friendship opportunities, or want to develop leadership skills through peer mentorship.

Climbing naturally breaks down social barriers while creating genuine connections through shared challenge and mutual encouragement.

What develops: Communication abilities, collaborative problem-solving, authentic relationship building, leadership through teaching others, confidence in social situations, peer support skills through belaying and spotting partners.

Ideal for: Socially anxious teens, neurodivergent individuals who need concrete social practice, teens seeking genuine friendships through shared values, those who want to develop natural leadership abilities.

Sessions include group discussion, intention-setting, and structured reflection that builds self-awareness alongside climbing skills.

Real Group Transformations

  • A socially anxious teen who initially climbed alone discovered she was naturally gifted at teaching technique to newer members, transforming from isolated observer to sought-after peer mentor whose confidence transferred to school presentations and family conversations.

  • An ADHD teen who couldn't focus in any other setting became completely present learning complex climbing sequences, then transferred that enhanced attention regulation to academic tasks and improved follow-through on family responsibilities.

  • A teen returning from wilderness therapy found continued growth and community through climbing groups, using his adventure skills to help others while maintaining the momentum and capability-building focus from his residential program.

  • A neurodivergent teen who struggled with social cues discovered that shared climbing goals created natural conversation and connection, leading to his first genuine friendships built around mutual respect rather than sympathy.

The Group Experience

Session Structure

2-hour sessions that include:

•    Skill development appropriate to each teen's current level

•    Route challenges that stretch capabilities with peer support

•    Collaborative problem-solving on technique and strategy

•    Peer mentorship as experienced members guide newcomers

•    Community building through shared achievement and mutual support

Group Composition

Mixed experience levels create natural mentorship opportunities. Newer members learn from those further along the path, while experienced climbers develop leadership through teaching.

6-8 teens per group allows for individual attention within community context.

Progression Pathways

Skill development tracks that honor individual progress while maintaining group cohesion. Teens advance based on demonstrated competence, creating clear achievement pathways.

Leadership opportunities emerge naturally as teens develop expertise and desire to contribute to newcomer success.

Who Climbing Groups Serve

For Teens Who Learn Through Community

  • Want peer connection alongside personal challenge

  • Learn by watching others navigate similar struggles

  • Seek authentic friendship through shared values

For Parents Seeking Growth-Based Community

  • Value leadership development through peer mentorship

  • Want natural social skill development, not forced activities

  • Seek community that celebrates growth over comfort

For Teens Ready to Lead

  • Have some confidence but want opportunities to mentor others

  • Want to build leadership skills through teaching peers

  • Ready to discover strength through helping others grow

Investment and Commitment

Monthly Community Membership

$500 per month includes:

  • 4 weekly sessions per month

  • Progressive skill development with individual attention

  • Peer mentorship opportunities as skills develop

  • Initial one-on-one Preparation Sessions

What's Included

  • Professional instruction with climbing certifications and safety protocols

  • Skill progression tracking with clear advancement pathways

  • Community integration support for new members

  • Family communication about progress and development

What’s Not Included

  • Gym Membership/Day Passes

  • Personal Climbing Gear

Commitment Structure

6-month minimum commitment allows for:

  • Relationship building with peers and mentors beyond initial comfort zone

  • Skill progression that creates natural confidence and leadership opportunities

  • Community integration that develops into meaningful peer mentorship

  • Leadership development as teens guide newcomers through challenges they've mastered

  • Sustained growth that transfers to academic, family, and social environments

Why 6 months matters: Real transformation in teens who've struggled in group settings requires time to build trust, develop skills, and discover leadership capabilities through mentoring others. This timeline aligns with how long meaningful change actually takes, not quick-fix promises.

Getting Started

Group Consultation

Free 20-minute conversation to discuss:

•    Which program focus (Social Strength or Executive Edge) fits your teen's current needs

•    How peer learning and mentorship opportunities could serve their development

•    What the group experience looks like and commitment expectations

•    Whether your teen is ready for community-based challenge development with focused skill building

Individual Preparation Sessions

2-3 one-hour individual sessions before joining the group to:

  • Learn climbing fundamentals in a one-on-one setting without peer pressure

  • Get oriented to the gym environment and safety protocols

  • Assess readiness for group dynamics and community-based challenge

  • Build initial rapport that supports group integration

  • Address any anxiety about joining peers in climbing activities

Individual preparation sessions are included in the first month's group membership, ensuring your teen feels prepared and confident before engaging with the community.

This approach recognizes that teens who haven't connected with traditional approaches need individual preparation before they're ready to engage authentically with peers, especially those who've struggled in group settings or traditional social activities.

Schedule a Group Consultation

Questions About Groups

  • Regular lessons teach climbing skills. I use climbing to develop life capabilities - leadership, communication, problem-solving, and authentic confidence - within a peer mentorship community.

  • Shared challenge naturally breaks down social barriers. Many socially anxious teens find it easier to connect with peers through climbing than through forced conversation.

  • None at all. I bring 5+ years of experience leading climbing groups in both gyms and outdoor settings, plus AMGA instructor certifications that ensure I can modify challenges appropriately for each teen's abilities. Mixed experience levels create natural mentorship opportunities that benefit both newcomers and experienced members.

  • Climbing gyms offer routes and boulder problems across all difficulty grades - from beginner 5.6 routes to advanced 5.12+ climbs, all side by side. Whether a teen is belaying someone on an easy route or attempting their personal project, the trust-building and communication skills are identical. The hierarchy of climbing grades is real and measurable, but the community support and peer encouragement transcends technical ability. A beginner teaching proper knot-tying to a newcomer builds the same leadership skills as an advanced climber coaching complex movement sequences.

  • Comprehensive safety protocols, professional supervision, and peer responsibility create a culture where safety awareness becomes part of the leadership development.My AMGA certifications include specialized training in group management, risk assessment, and creating the optimal challenge level for growth without overwhelming participants. After 5+ years leading teen groups through climbing and outdoor adventures, I've developed systematic approaches to maintain safety while allowing meaningful peer interaction and natural leadership development.

  • Absolutely. Many families use groups to experience our approach before considering comprehensive individual development. Natural progression pathway exists for ready families.