Troop 60 > Activities > Climbing

Climbing

Young people today seek greater challenges, and climbing and rappelling offer a worthy challenge. The satisfaction of safely climbing a rock face is hard to top. While introduction of the Climbing merit badge in spring 1997 spurred interest in these activities through the BSA, the proliferation of climbing gyms and facilities has also made climbing and rappelling readily available throughout the United States.

Climbing and Rappelling

COPE

Climb On Safely

Each of the following points plays an important role in Climb On Safely. Fun and safe climbing/rappelling activities require close compliance of Climb On Safely by the adult supervisor, the instructors, and all participants. These points also apply to bouldering—traversing a few feet above ground level.


1. Qualified Supervision

All climbing and rappelling must be supervised by a mature, conscientious adult at least 21 years of age who understands the risks inherent to these activities. This person knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of the youth in his or her care. This adult supervisor is trained in and committed to compliance with the eight points of the Boy Scouts of America’s Climb On Safely procedure and responsible for recruiting and verifying the qualifications of the qualified instructors.

One adult supervisor is required for every 10 participants with a minimum of two adults for any one group.

The adult supervisor is responsible for ensuring that someone in the group is currently trained in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR (a 6 ½-hour course). In addition, Wilderness First Aid (a 16-hour course) is recommended for units going to remote areas. A course of equivalent length and content from another nationally recognized organization can be substituted. A higher level of certification such as emergency medical technician (EMT), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and licensed health-care practitioner is also acceptable if the person is trained in backcountry medical care. The ARC’s Emergency Response, a 43 ½-hour course that includes CPR, is highly recommended. 


2. Qualified Instructors

There must be a minimum of two instructors for all climbing and rappelling activities (up to 12 participants) and one additional instructor for each additional six participants, maintaining a 6-to-1 ratio.

The qualified instructor managing the climbing/rappelling activity must be at least 21 years of age, and be current in his/her training from one or more of the sources listed by the BSA:

Additional instructors required to meet the 6-to-1 ratio requirement must be competent as determined by the qualified instructor and be at least 18 years of age.

There are many institutions and/or businesses who offer training for climbing and rappelling. However, most do not prepare instructors to lead groups of people on climbing and rappelling outings. Your local council COPE and climbing committee, area COPE and climbing advocates, and region COPE and climbing chairs are good sources to determine if an alternative training experience is equivalent to one of the sources listed above. For guidance or additional information, contact the BSA’s Outdoor Programs/Properties Department through your local council office.


3. Physical Fitness

Require evidence of fitness for the climbing/rappelling activity with a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. The adult supervisor should adapt all supervision, discipline, and precautions to anticipate any potential risks associated with individual health conditions. The adult supervisor should inform the climbing instructor about each participant’s medical conditions.


4. Safe Area

All BSA climbing/rappelling activities must be conducted using an established climbing/rappelling site or facility. A qualified climbing instructor should survey the site in advance of the activity to identify and evaluate possible hazards and to determine whether the site is suitable for the age, maturity, and skill level of the participants. The instructor should also verify that the site is sufficient to safely and comfortably accommodate the number of participants in the activity within the available time. An emergency evacuation route must be identified in advance. A separate area should be established for onlookers.

Each participant and staff member in the fall zone of a climbing/rappelling site must wear a UIAA- or CE-approved rock-climbing helmet. Everyone must be belayed or tethered when within 8 feet of an edge where a fall of more than 6 feet could occur.


5. Equipment

The climbing instructor should verify that the proper equipment is available for the size and ability level of the participants. Helmets, harnesses, rope, and climbing hardware must meet appropriate requirements as outlined in Belay On. All equipment must be acquired new and/or furnished by the instructor and retired according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

When using a climbing gym, the climbing facility’s procedures apply. 

Resources

 

COPE and Climbing Staff Training Syllabi

The links below are to key items that support your council’s COPE and climbing program. These PDFs were updated in February 2015. Updates to the website will be made periodically. PDFs are official training documents. Word documents may be customized. Please share these with others who are involved in COPE and climbing programs.

Foundation (common to COPE and climbing)

Climbing Specific

COPE Specific