Rock Climbing

Class Length: 1 hour 15 minutes - 2 hours 45 minutes

Class size: 8:1 participant to facilitator ratio, Minimum of 2 Facilitators

Materials:  Inspection Log  Equipment in the Rock Climbing storage box

Safety Inspection All safety inspections should be completed per standards set during training and according to Inspection Guidelines sheet. The designated Lead Facilitator on the course is responsible for ensuring that all inspections happen and that all required paperwork is completed.  Visual inspection of grounds, structure components, belay bars and overhead area  Visual and tactile inspection of Just-Rite Descenders / Gri-gris  Visual and tactile inspection of ALL harnesses, helmets, ropes, carabiners, and webbing anchors  Inspection of First Aid kit, replacing low supplies as needed BEFORE program start time All Inspection/paperwork must be completed prior to Course Set up

Course Setup The belay method to be utilized will be determined by the Program Manager or the Adventure Coordinator prior to the program. Unclip the tarps from the storage positions and neatly place inside the rock climbing structure.

Rock Climbing setup involves Facilitators climbing ladders and therefore a ladder spotter is necessary.

If using Just-Rite Descenders:  Ladder must be unlocked and used around the structure to: o Unclip/remove all tarps from wall and neatly place inside the structure o Loosen and lower all P-cords (Make sure to replace any unused P-cords to their ‘tied-up’ locations. There should never be loose P-cords dangling from the structure. They can be a potentially serious participant tangle hazard.)  Set out equipment at each location: o adjacent rope o 2 aluminum carabiners o helmet If using Gri-Gris: . Gri-Gri (with attached aluminum carabiner) . anchor webbing and steel carabiner

Revised Apr 2013

 Rope set up: o Check the rope log to see which end of the belay rope should be the “knot end”. o Tie climbing ropes to P-cords using Killick Hitch method (pay attention to ensure that “knot end” will end up as the inside end), raise ropes, o Neatly coil P-cord and store in shed o On the climber end of the rope, tie a figure 8 on a bight, followed with a barrel knot. o Attach two aluminum opposing carabiners, to the bight of the figure 8 knot. Do NOT clip aluminum carabiners to steel hardware o Take the belay end of the climbing rope (ensuring that it is not twisted at the top belay bar) and: If Using Gri-Gris: . Secure belay end of rope into Gri-Gri device per training and the explanatory diagram on the face of the device. Wrap it all the way through and then close the device and lock with locking carabiner. . Girth-hitch anchor webbing to anchor point If using JRDs: . Run rope through the corresponding JRD, threading from top to bottom. Secure by snaking the rope through itself or tying a daisy chain, ensuring that the rope is off the ground  Harness stringer should be pulled from box and hung up *While it the responsibility of ALL Facilitators to inspect and setup the course, the designated Lead Facilitator is responsible for a final check of the course setup, to include knots & gri-gris loaded properly.

Introduction: (15 minutes) Every introduction MUST have the following components:  Facilitator names and program name  General inquiry of the participants thoughts upon viewing the Climbing Structure  Brief statement regarding structural integrity, daily course and equipment inspections, all equipment has a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.  Define “challenge by choice” as a participant’s ability to set clear goals for themselves according to their personal comfort zone – Point out the highest point that a climber may reach if they choose to go all the way to the top  Discuss the effects that pushing the edge of a personal comfort zone may have on an individual, both physical and emotional; have the group commit to maintaining emotional safety, discuss the value of pushing personal comfort levels  Roles at the Climbing Structure o Climber – Each participant will have the opportunity to climb at least once on the side of their choice, understanding that everyone must climb first before anyone climbs twice. Stress to participants that if there is a long line on one side, consider a second choice o Coach/Encourager – Coaches must be aware of climbers emotional needs and contribute as requested by climber or facilitator If using JRDs: o Belayer – Behind every JRD, there must be a minimum of three participants belaying a climber, including one facilitator at the end of the rope

Revised Apr 2013

*Explain that everyone will have the opportunity/are required to perform each role, some several times

Course Tour (5 minutes) A walking tour of the course can be as descriptive as the facilitator chooses, within time- limit reason, as long as these topics are stressed:  Identify the drop zone within the boundary logs, no one is allowed inside without being invited by a facilitator and while wearing a helmet.  Give a brief description of each side explaining their perceived difficulty level including any pertinent safety information such as body position when climbing and descending (Time permitting: Give a climbing/descending demonstration)  Encourage the participants to set goals at this point choosing a rock face to climb first, and a goal height if appropriate.

Safety Talk (10 minutes) Belaying with the JRDs:  Behind every JRD, there must be a minimum of 3 participants belaying a climber, including one facilitator at the end of each rope belaying and supervising  Belayers must stand on the opposite side of the rope from the Facilitator  Belayers must keep all slack out of the rope while climber is ascending by pulling the rope in a pull, slide, slide motion moving only one hand at a time, always keeping two hands on the rope  Belayers must maintain focus and communication with their climber and Facilitator at all times  Upon climber decision to descend belayers will use a push, slide, slide motion to slowly lower the climber in a controlled manner  Belayers DO NOT let go of the rope until told “Off Belay” by the Facilitator

Climbers/Commands:  Climbers must use all safety commands and communicate with their entire team before leaving the ground: Climber Question Response (responder) “On Belay?” “Belay is On!” (belay team) “May I climb?” “Climb On!” (EVERYONE in unison)  Climbers must communicate with their team that they are ready to come down and receive confirmation that it is okay BEFORE descending  Upon descent, climbers must sit back in their harness, put their feet flat on the wall and WALK backwards down the wall. Participants may NOT jump off the wall while descending.

Prepping Participant Participants need:  To arrive wearing appropriate clothing and shoes that securely fit to their feet  To evacuate their mouths of any gum, candy, etc.  To remove any dangling items including necklaces, earrings, headphones, scarves, etc.  To remove any items from their pockets that could fall out or be lost during the duration of the class Revised Apr 2013

Participants are then, to be properly fitted with equipment before they’re ready to climb including:  Harness – Follow correct fitting procedures per Gear and Inspection SOP  Helment - Follow correct fitting procedures per Gear and Inspection SOP  Carabiners – Participants may only be clipped in/unclipped by facilitators. Carabiners must lay opposite and be loaded across their long “major” access. Always squeeze check carabiners after clipping participants in. *The Rock Wall has the capacity to facilitate a maximum of 40 participants while using JRDS and 20 participants while using Gri-gris. Harnesses must rotate throughout the group. As with any climbing structure, every participant MUST be checked by a facilitator before climbing!

Commencing Activity A Facilitator may only monitor two JRDs that are directly next to each other, or operate one Gri-gri. In the event that there are not enough Facilitators to monitor all ropes of the structure, the Facilitators will decide which sides will be open initially. Explain to the participants that they may climb whichever side they like, however they may have to wait their turn until that side is “open”. Until this time they will perform a role other than climber. Everyone will get one climb first on whichever side they like before anyone climbs twice, unless multiple participants are choosing to wait for a turn on one particular side. Participants should NOT stand and wait by the side they want to climb. They should be actively participating with the rest of the group.

Facilitating the Activity (45 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes) Time Management:  Keep all introductions and instructions within an appropriate timeframe  Monitor participant climb numbers to ensure that everyone gets equal climbing opportunities- Facilitators should ask participants directly rather than shouting a general question  Avoid letting a participant spend too much time on an element by “stalling out” or overexerting themselves which can waste time and lead to exhaustion and loss of focus of belayers.  Before the program starts, establish a “ground time” that is known by all Facilitators. Ground time is when all participants are on the ground and ready to move on to the next portion of the program; swing, debrief, etc. Group Management:  Monitor all participants throughout the entire program. Participants that are not actively contributing to the group should be refocused and directed to a specific role.  Maintain control of the group, not allowing horseplay, running on the course or wandering participants. Utilize adults on the course if necessary.  Maintain communication, both verbal and non-verbal, with other Facilitators through the duration of the program. Information to be shared includes: participant concerns, group progress, safety concerns, and any need for assistance.  Encourage the next climber to be prepared with equipment as well as a belay team.  Give participants clear instructions on how to manage gear once they have completed a climb.

Revised Apr 2013

Coaching:  Be aware of each participant as they climb or belay, addressing any struggle or confusion.  Give clear instruction to participants, utilizing another person if direct communication is difficult.  Help participants be aware of ropes and each other, helping each other as needed.  Encourage participants to push perceived limits while being sensitive to their emotional state.  Maintain a positive attitude and recognize both participants’ successes and valiant efforts.

Safety on the Course  Ensure that all participants know the safety commands prior to climbing and that EVERY participant is using them consistently.  Immediately address any violation of a safety rule or neglect of participant responsibility, involving adult group leaders if necessary.  Respond immediately to participants showing signs of either physical or emotional distress, recognizing that it may be necessary and appropriate to stop a group in progress to address a safety situation.

Rescues In the event that a participant becomes entangled in an element while climbing (due to fall, injury, or unconsciousness), the Facilitator should perform a vector pull maneuver to remove the participant’s weight from the element, possibly allowing for disentanglement, or in some cases disengagement from the wall. A Facilitator should request help from another staff member on the course first, however in the event that this cannot happen in a timely fashion, group leader or participant assistance may be used.

If a vector pull maneuver does not work, is not feasible due to the condition of the participant, or if the participant is in need of an emotional rescue, a Facilitator may need to be belayed so they can assist the victim. If a Facilitator needs to be belayed up the Structure, all climbers on the Structure must be safely and quickly lowered to the ground. Once all participants are on the ground, they should be gathered together in an area adjacent to but not in the way of the scene until the situation is resolved. All SOPs for climbing and belaying must be followed at all times.

If rescue is due to medical emergency, Outdoor Education emergency procedures must be followed.

Processing (10 - 15 minutes) Every Process MUST have the following components:  Determine groups overall feelings toward their experience Rock Climbing  Inquire as to group members progress toward or achievement of set goals and what resources were utilized to do so  Allow participants to recognize the importance and impacts of the different roles served while Rock Climbing  Invite group to discuss how they can take what was experienced during this program and incorporate the lessons learned into real world situations

Revised Apr 2013

Course Tear-Down All Facilitators are responsible for course tear down:  Remove all carabiners and untie all figure eight knots replacing ropes with P-cords  Secure all P-cores up out of reach  Ropes must all be neatly/tightly coiled and placed in box  Harnesses should be completely loosened and organized by size on stringer  All helmets should be sanitized and wiped out before returning to the box  All tarps must be rehung  Ladders need to be locked in storage position threading the ladder chain through the center of the ladder  All equipment should be returned to the box  Rope logs should be filled out accordingly  Box must be locked upon departure from the area.  All Facilitators must perform a ground sweep of the area: o All trash removed o Return any lost-and-found items to the group or office  Replace any used items to the first aid kit promptly.

In the case of multiple programs offered on a given day, the Rock Climbing course may remain set-up only if a Facilitator remains on site at all times. Prior to the next program the following MUST occur:  The course and grounds must be completely inspected and an inspection form completed  Harnesses must be loosened and inspected  Helmets must be sanitized and inspected  Carabiners must be inspected  All knots must be completely re-tied and ropes must be visually inspected  Rope Log must be filled out  A ground sweep must be performed

If one 2 hour 45 minute program is run OR two 1 hour 15 minute Rock Climbing programs are run consecutively, all climbing ropes must be taken down, inspected and have the climber/knot end rotated. A complete course and equipment inspection must occur before the next group arrives and all necessary forms must be completed.

Revised Apr 2013