High School Portable Wall

The Climbing Wall:

Interested in adding a climbing component to your physical education program? The Guelph Grotto Indoor Climbing Gym can now bring the climbing to you and your students. Our 20 foot high self-supporting structure has 12 quality climbing routes, 6 on vertical and 6 on overhanging (sloped) walls, allowing 24 students to use the wall at the same time. We will instruct the students on how to put on a harness correctly, tie a double figure of eight with a double overhand fisher's knot (stopper/keeper knot) and belay using a Petzl Gri Gri. With this instruction, students will be able to go to any indoor climbing gym, or use this basic indoor instruction as a foundation for climbing outside.

The Bouldering Cave:

Bouldering is the simplest form of rock climbing.No harness or ropes are required, as the 12'x12' cave is low to the ground and padded with gym mats. The emphasis here is on fine tuning movement by practicing "bouldering problems". Bouldering is a great group activity that lends itself to a variety of climbing games that can be played amongst classmates.

The Ascending and Rappelling:

Rope work is a major component of technical rock climbing. Using specialized ascending/rappelling equipment, this activity teaches the students to safely climb up and descend ropes that are suspended from the gym rafters. Not only do the students learn a practical skill, they have a lot of fun doing it! This activity proves to be a favourite among many students.

Membership:

Each student who participates in this program will receive a one month membership at the Guelph Grotto Indoor Climbing Gym. As well, the physical education staff department will receive a one year membership (the membership does not include harness or shoe rental).

The Instructors:

The Grotto will have two to four (depending on the number of students) fully trained and experienced climbing instructors on hand at all time and, as well as making sure everyone is performing all activities properly and safely, our staff will have climbing clinics, help set bouldering problems, climbing games and climb with the students.

Set Up and Requirements:

The Grotto will come in and set up the walls on the Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday so the students will be able to get started first thing Monday morning. Set up time is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. In order to run this program, the Grotto will need a minimum gym height of 20' 3" to the trusses with a minimum of 125 students to participate throughout the week (a waiver will need to be signed by each Student/parent).

How the Week Will Run:

This program is based on a semestered School:

Monday

Safety, harness application, tie a double figure of eight with a double overhand fisher's knot (stopper/keepers knot) and how to belay using a Petzl Gri Gri (an autolocking belay device used at most climbing gyms).

Tuesday

Technique clinic, bouldering and supervised climbing.

Wednesday

Ascending and rappelling.

Thursday

Rope Ladders, Fire Cracker, Cargo Net and Donkey Kong. Continued technique building and climbing.

Friday

Free-for-all Adjustments to the program can be accommodated.