Benefits of a Youth Climbing Team
Rock climbing could be the competitive sport that your child is looking for! There are competitive sports for everything and everyone. Whether you are an adult looking to brush up on your high school glory days or a parent looking to sign your child up for an extracurricular - there are leagues, teams, and training groups galore.
Climbing, a late bloomer to the widespread accessibility, is among the competitive sporting options available to everyone. As indoor climbing has increased in popularity and taken up a spot on the most prominent international sporting stage - the Olympics - there has been an increase in younger climbers filling the climbing gyms. Many find their way into a youth climbing program and go on to compete in the USA Climbing Youth Competitive Circuit at the local, regional, divisional, and national levels.
As a parent, you may frequent the rock climbing gym and think your child might love the sport. Or you may have a child who has fallen in love with it through one route or another - birthday party, group event, went with a friend, etc. If you fit into one of these groups, then it's time to consider the benefits a youth climbing team might offer your child.
Climbing Teams Cater to All Skill Levels
For starters, most commercial climbing gyms offer various tiers of teams. Many start at a beginner level, increase to intermediate, and then to an advanced or competitive program. Each higher level often includes additional weekly practices and a more robust coaching staff suited to the goals of that specific team. Many climbing teams require tryouts but don't let this discourage you or your future youth team climber. The various tiers of teams create a greater chance of finding the perfect fit for your child. And it inspires confidence in them and pride when they advance from a beginner to an advanced climbing team.
Compete Individually, Practice Together
While, by convention, the climbing gyms name these programs "teams," it is essential to remember that rock climbing is an individual sport. Much like competitive swimming or traditional track and field (non-relay events), everyone trains and attends competitions together, but performance is individual. Some people prefer team sports, opting for the camaraderie and community of the team, like in basketball, football, or soccer. However, a youth climbing team is unique because it can still provide that community and camaraderie. So, if your child doesn't perform well under the pressure of team sports but you worry they'll miss out on team bonding events, you have to look no further than a rock climbing team.
Cultivate a Supportive Atmosphere
A well-developed youth climbing program will foster interaction between climbers. That could mean watching and learning from each other's successes or failures on the climbing wall or doing a partner workout. The climbing community is encouraging, positive, and full of kind people at climbing's core. Each youth program centers around that core, with coaches looking to inspire confidence within each kid, teach them perseverance and patience, and show them that with climbing, they always have a community rooting for them.
Another perk of youth climbing teams is the ability to travel. Depending on your child's success, you may travel across states for divisional or national competitions. This opportunity allows your child to make friends from all over who all share a love for the sport and for parents to connect. We weren't lying when we said the core of the climbing community runs strong from its eldest to its youngest members. Don’t take our word for it! Give your local gym a call and learn about their Youth Team offerings.
Hopefully, this article helped highlight the youth climbing team's benefits and inspired you to consider the opportunity for your child. Let us know in the comments if you found it helpful or have any other questions!
