Climbing Walls

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:

• BSA Level II climbing instructor or climbing director

• BSA Level II COPE instructor or COPE director (artificial structures only)

• Professional climbing guide/instructors who are licensed by the state or accredited according to:

  • AMGA, PCIA, or PCGI for natural rock climbing

  • AMGA, PCIA, CWA, PRCA, or ACCT for artificial structures

• University or college climbing/rappelling instructors who are current in their training (assessment within three years) as rock climbing instructors (or climbing wall instructors for artificial structures only)

• Instructors trained by professional organizations or their accredited providers:  

  • American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)

    • Rock instructor

    • Single pitch instructor

    • Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)   

  • Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA)

    • Base-managed climbing instructor

    • Top-managed climbing instructor

    • Single pitch instructor

    • Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)   

  • Professional Climbing Guide Institute (PCGI)

    • Top rope guide

    • Single pitch guide

    • Lead guide

    • Multipitch guide 

  • Climbing Wall Association (CWA)

    • Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)

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

• Belay On Manual – The Belay On manual is a reference for challenge course and climbing programs operated within the BSA. Belay On is available online in PDF format at no cost to BSA members, who are free to use it in BSA programs for non-commercial purposes. The publication will not be available in printed form from BSA Supply Group. Councils are free to reproduce Belay On as needed for their local training programs. 

• Climb On Safely is the Boy Scouts of America’s procedure for organizing BSA climbing/rappelling activities at a natural site or a specifically designed facility such as a climbing wall or tower.

• Cave Safely Cave Softly – Learn before you go.  Caving can be an exciting unit activity, but requires knowledge and preparation.  This guide can help. For more information refer to the NSS Guide to Responsible Caving. 

• Canyoneering Safely – Another exciting adventure for units prepared with the right knowledge and equipment.  This guide will help in that preparation and keep Scouts and leaders safe.

• Climbing Merit Badge

• Climbing is not a sport that requires tremendous muscular strength, it demands mental toughness and the willingness to practice hard to master a set of skills. The adventure of climbing can also provide a new way to enjoy the outdoors.

• Local COPE and Climbing Committee 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)

• COPE and Climbing Foundation Level I pdf | doc

• COPE and Climbing Foundation Level II pdf | doc

Climbing Specific

• Climbing Level I pdf | doc

• Climbing Level II pdf | doc

COPE Specific

• COPE Level I pdf | doc

• COPE Level II pdf | doc