Past Webinar Recordings-Designing Youth Programs

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, hosted by the Climbing Wall Association, focused on how climbing gyms can design effective youth programs. Heather Reynolds introduced a framework for identifying program opportunities through a needs assessment, considering age, skill level, timing, staffing, space, and costs. She emphasized that youth programming should match community demand and can serve both recreational and competitive climbers.<br /><br />A major tool discussed was the Athlete Development Matrix from Climbing Escalade Canada, which maps climbing skills to stages of development, from physical literacy and active start through train-to-compete and active-for-life. Heather explained how gyms can use this matrix to build age-appropriate curricula, select skills to introduce or refine, and create skills cards to track progress.<br /><br />She shared a sample bouldering program for ages five to six, including warm-ups, falling practice, etiquette, movement skills, and mental/social development. Staffing, risk management, parent communication, and ratios were highlighted as essential considerations. The Q&A covered climbing games, older youth leadership programs, belay training, height limits, and safety policies like Respect in Sport and Safe Sport.

Asset Caption

Providing a structure to youth programs can reduce the risk, increase the enjoyment, and provide a quality learning opportunity for youth interested in climbing and parents interested in keeping their youth active. Through this webinar, Heather Reynolds will introduce the Athlete Development Matrix (ADM) and how it can be used to assist you in designing a youth program which meets the needs of a youth group you identify in your facility. Using the elements of the ADM, you can identify key skills to include in a program and consider how these can be developed and refined.

Speaker Bio: Heather Reynolds, Education Program Consultant, Climbing Wall Association

Heather Reynolds, MSc. kine, has been an instructor, researcher, coach, licensed educator, gym manager and coordinator and consultant within the climbing industry since 1994. Currently, Heather's role is to revise and implement the new online learning opportunities with the CWA and the certification programs. Heather has also been developing and designing a coach training pathway through the National Coach Certification Program with Climbing Escalade Canada.

Keywords

climbing gyms

youth programs

needs assessment

Athlete Development Matrix

age-appropriate curricula

bouldering program

risk management

belay training

Safe Sport