Comments on: Climbing with Kids Part 2 http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355 raising little ones in the great outdoors Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:56:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Amy http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355&cpage=1#comment-300 Amy Mon, 10 May 2010 01:35:28 +0000 http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355#comment-300 Wow, though I just found this post now, it's so great to hear of other parents taking their kids climbing (& perhaps regularly). You'll find the new New River Climbing Guidebook by Mike Williams has family ratings for various crags. We've taken our now 5 year old climbing with us since she was 3 weeks old. We found climbing the best way to bond as a family. We quickly discovered the climbing wasn't always the highlight of our adventures. Sometimes finding lizards, snails or making gardens is. We also never pushed her to climb. It's seems kids' natural curiousity takes over and they'll find their own enjoyment on climbing outings let it be swinging on the rope, the nature or climbing. For more tips, check out an article I wrote a few years back at: http://outdoorbaby.net/climbing/climbing-after-kids/ . Cheers. Wow, though I just found this post now, it’s so great to hear of other parents taking their kids climbing (& perhaps regularly).

You’ll find the new New River Climbing Guidebook by Mike Williams has family ratings for various crags.

We’ve taken our now 5 year old climbing with us since she was 3 weeks old. We found climbing the best way to bond as a family. We quickly discovered the climbing wasn’t always the highlight of our adventures. Sometimes finding lizards, snails or making gardens is. We also never pushed her to climb. It’s seems kids’ natural curiousity takes over and they’ll find their own enjoyment on climbing outings let it be swinging on the rope, the nature or climbing.

For more tips, check out an article I wrote a few years back at: http://outdoorbaby.net/climbing/climbing-after-kids/ .
Cheers.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355&cpage=1#comment-234 Kevin Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:03:24 +0000 http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355#comment-234 here's a 5 y.o. gettin after it : ) pretty inspiring... http://www.mec.ca/Apps/videoContest/video_detail_finalist.jsp?finalist_mvs_id=263&finalist_activity_cd=clim&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885372&bmUID=1255107007635 here’s a 5 y.o. gettin after it : )
pretty inspiring…

http://www.mec.ca/Apps/videoContest/video_detail_finalist.jsp?finalist_mvs_id=263&finalist_activity_cd=clim&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885372&bmUID=1255107007635

]]> By: Steve http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355&cpage=1#comment-228 Steve Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:13:39 +0000 http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355#comment-228 That's an interesting concept for a guidebook. I've got a friend who's authored several guidebooks for our area. I'll pass it along to him. One thing I did notice with Dave Bingham's latest guide to City of Rocks is that he mentions kids and toproping. Maybe that's a function of the pioneering sport climbers of his generation now having children and putting more importance on that kind of information. Maybe it's just becoming more important for people to take their kids with them. Whatever the reason, I think it's a great benefit to parents and kids. That’s an interesting concept for a guidebook. I’ve got a friend who’s authored several guidebooks for our area. I’ll pass it along to him. One thing I did notice with Dave Bingham’s latest guide to City of Rocks is that he mentions kids and toproping. Maybe that’s a function of the pioneering sport climbers of his generation now having children and putting more importance on that kind of information. Maybe it’s just becoming more important for people to take their kids with them. Whatever the reason, I think it’s a great benefit to parents and kids.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355&cpage=1#comment-226 Kevin Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:32:14 +0000 http://www.theoutdoorparent.com/?p=355#comment-226 Good tips Steve, I look forward to trying these tips out more. I can vouch for the peer pressure helping my 2 y.o. son watching and copying his much more worldly 3 y.o. 'girlfriend' hang around in a rope and climb a 5.0. Watching a video clip I wish I had of been even more patient, less trying to help - but then I am just learning the new rules to this game too... For new or planning parents- know too that there is a beatiful window of opportunity when mom is getting fit again and baby is content in a stroller or blanket to get out and travel and climb with minimal fuss. This lasts until about 8 months give or take. Also, it helps to be prepared for 'expectation management' as you administer first aid to injured climbers. Imagine if you will, a boulderer hitting the deck... hard... too close to your kids paying with rocks near the base of a crag. Not Pretty ... but it sets itself up as a good learning moment for all involved. In europe, we found guidebooks with multi-lingual icon approach often depicted which sport crags were kid friendly, tope rope friendly etc. At the time, we didn't appreciate how nice that is. Take a hint guidebook authors ; ) Good tips Steve,

I look forward to trying these tips out more. I can vouch for the peer pressure helping my 2 y.o. son watching and copying his much more worldly 3 y.o. ‘girlfriend’ hang around in a rope and climb a 5.0.

Watching a video clip I wish I had of been even more patient, less trying to help – but then I am just learning the new rules to this game too…

For new or planning parents- know too that there is a beatiful window of opportunity when mom is getting fit again and baby is content in a stroller or blanket to get out and travel and climb with minimal fuss. This lasts until about 8 months give or take.

Also, it helps to be prepared for ‘expectation management’ as you administer first aid to injured climbers.
Imagine if you will, a boulderer hitting the deck… hard… too close to your kids paying with rocks near the base of a crag.
Not Pretty … but it sets itself up as a good learning moment for all involved.

In europe, we found guidebooks with multi-lingual icon approach often depicted which sport crags were kid friendly, tope rope friendly etc. At the time, we didn’t appreciate how nice that is. Take a hint guidebook authors ; )

]]>