Tips for Parents Who Want Kids to Start Young

1. Make sure the enthusiasm comes from your child.

2. If it's important for your kids that you climb with them, come prepared.

3. Let your kids discover a sense of accomplishment for themselves.

 

Bend, Oregon: Biking, Climbing, and Beer

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The great outdoors is the specialty at High Angles Adventures (800/777-2546), which has trained climbers for over 25 years in upstate New York's Shawangunk Mountains. Ross continues,"When parents call me, I first find out, 'Whose interest is this?' I tell parents, 'If it's your interest and not the youngsters', wait until they ask for it." Ross, a 25-year veteran of the sport, explains, "In my experience, most youngsters are fearful. The issue is height. Since it's not rational, our safety measures mean nothing to these kids. However, kids will usually climb a little higher in increments, on each try. We always try to look for the joy in climbing. That kids have risen to the occasion and met a challenge is its own reward."

Special equipment, high insurance costs, park fees and additional training needed to teach kids means there are no "youth fares" in the sport. Ross urges parents to remember that, although they've paid for a full-day session, many kids don't last that long. Are your kids old enough to scale the heights? Ross notes: "I've worked with a very gifted 4-year old, but 6-7 years is typically the youngest. And over 8 years, kids are more mature. Parents know their kids better than I do, and should judge beforehand their kids' discomfort level, attention span, and ability to focus and concentrate."