Awaken and foster their love for climbing—enroll your kids aged 9-17 into a youth climbing camp in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan! Your child will spend 6 days with AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructors,
in an educational and super fun environment! Participants will learn all aspects of climbing, make
lifelong friendships, learn top rope, sport and traditional styles of climbing.
Our 6-day program will lay down a solid foundation of climbing skills with a strong emphasis on safety.
This program is designed to get kids to feel enthusiastic about climbing and the outdoors, to advance
their climbing technique and expand their understanding of gear, climbing ethics, history, advocacy, and
teamwork in an outdoor setting. Although there are no prerequisite skills or experience needed,
participants should have a desire to climb and learn more.
WHAT
6 days outdoor rock climbing.
WHO
Kids aged 9-17
PRICE
$850 includes: American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructors, All Climbing Gear,
Permits, Insurance, Class Materials , Guidebook
GROUP SIZE
12 students; 4:1 max student/staff ratio
WHEN
August 5-10th
Each Day Starts: 9am – pick up time 5pm
Summer Climbing Camp is designed for children to develop technical rock climbing skills in a safe
educational setting. Climbing is a full-body exercise which assists in strengthening muscles, developing
flexibility, and increasing endurance. Throughout the sessions, the climbing will teach kids how to solve
problems and build confidence in their decision-making, promoting confidence and self-esteem and
developed trust in their peers and leaders. Each session is 8 hours of training to develop these skills and
build a solid foundation for the next days activities. Every climb and every problem solved is an
opportunity to overcome a challenge, such as a fear of heights. It signals to kids that they are capable of
overcoming difficulties both on and off the rock. With climbing, kids have the opportunity to see the
result of their hard work and survey the difficulties they overcame to get there. Time outside has been
shown to reduce stress and improve overall mental health, as well as developing connections to the
natural world and stronger communities.
By end of week, participants will be setting up their own climbs, practicing safe climbing practices, and
climbing harder than they ever have. Summer Climbing Camp will be a life-changing experience!
SUMMER CAMP Schedule and topics
Day 1
- Introductions
- Week Review
- Styles of Climbing
- Rating System
- Guidebook
- Knot Tying
- Gear Talk
- Harnesses
- -Shoes
- Helmets
- Belay Devices
- Safety Check/Signals
- Climbing/Belay Check
- Features
Travel to Sunset Gully/Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area is owned by Marquette County and located in Marquette Township
and is also one of the most popular scenic overlooks on the central Upper Peninsula coastline, offering
spectacular views from the mountain’s summit 470 feet above Lake Superior. The area offers four
separate smaller crags as well as bouldering opportunities.
Sunset Gully
Home to some of the longest climbs in Marquette. Sunset Gully has climbing of every style. Sport,
traditional, and bouldering all in one area. Afternoon sun minutes from town and a quick approach
make this an enjoyable evening crag.
- Sport Climbing
- Instructor Demonstration
- Climbing Movement
- Belaying
Day 2
- Top rope management
- Knot Tying
- Ropes
- Anchor Building
Travel to Cliffs Ridge
Cliff’s Ridge is the name of the quartzite cliff on the back side of the Marquette Mountain Ski Hill and is
the largest cliff in the area. It has a storied history with climbing dating back to the 1970’s with every
inch of rock having been explored over the years. A favorite of many Upper Peninsula climbers due to
the wide range of climbing grades, this crag should be on everyone’s tick list.
- Anchor building
- Climbing Movement
- Belaying Review
- Top Rope Climbing
- Coiling Ropes
Day 3
Neguanee Slab
A fantastic 24 meter slab of quartzite, Neguanee Slab is the ideal location for beginning climbers as well
as the first time trad lead climber. The main face is a large slab with two distinctive diagonal cracks
providing very fun, easy routes.
- Traditional Climbing
- Gear Talk
- Instructor Demo
- Lead Belaying
- Top Belay
- Belayed Rappels
Day 4
Travel to Top of the World
Named for the overlook just to the north of the crag, this 35 foot rock offers challenging roped
sport routes as well as a classic trad line.
- Sport Climbing
- Anchor Cleaning
- Carabiners
Day 5
Travel to AAA Wall
The Big Bay area is one of the best areas in Marquette County for climbing because of its variety and
quantity of climbing. It’s not uncommon on a nice weekend to find other people out there from all over
the area either learning to climb on The Friction Slab or testing their strength on the various test pieces
on Main Wall. Besides the variety of climbs, each route has unique character and demands different
techniques.
When the crag was first “discovered” and climbed, people focused on The Friction Slab and Bud’s Wall, a
small crag hidden above the Main Wall. It didn’t take to long for people to start looking and tackling the
harder lines located on the Main Wall.
We will spend the day practicing and mastering skills learned in the previous sessions on some of the
toughest climbs in the Upper Peninsula.
Day 6
Travel to Slugg’s Bluff
With some of the best face and difficult crack climbing in the Upper Peninsula, Sluggs Bluff offers the
combination of fantastic climbing and outstanding views of the Tilden Mine and the Palmer Swamp.
Slug’s Bluff is now the first climber-owned climbing area in Michigan.
Slug’s Bluff currently has 10+ quality sport routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.12. It also has numerous quality trad lines, which range from 5.5 to 5.12. This will be the perfect area to end summer rock camp with challenging fun routes!
We will spend the day practicing and mastering skills learned in the previous sessions on some of the
toughest climbs in the Upper Peninsula.