Awesome Advantages of Climbing Walls for Kids

Keeping kids interested in fitness requires providing them with new experiences that challenge their abilities. Today, climbing walls offer the chance for kids to enjoy a bit of a thrill while under the supervision of a trained adult who maintains a safe environment. While there are many different ways to rock climb, a climbing wall offers several advantages for kids at camp. [wp_ad_camp_1]

Increased Safety

Rock climbing can be done on natural structures such as the side of a mountain or on a climbing wall. For beginners, climbing walls provide a safe place to practice new skills since the environment is better controlled. On a natural rock, moisture, loose rocks, and weak footholds pose risks for kids who are not experienced with climbing. Staff members, however, carefully inspect climbing walls before each climb, and even outdoor walls are less susceptible to damage over time than natural climbing surfaces.

Build Strength and Stamina

Learning how to scale a climbing wall provides kids with a complete body workout that can burn up to 700 calories per hour. It is also safer than weight lifting for building a kid’s muscles because it uses their body weight. As they pull their body up to reach the next hold, they strengthen their upper body and maintaining their balance also tones the core muscles and lower body. Rock climbing is also an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise and each climb increases a child’s stamina.

Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Figuring out the best route up to the top of the climbing wall helps kids to develop greater focus and concentration for tasks that involve solving a problem. Kids at camp are taught to view the climbing wall as a type of puzzle that they have to figure out if they want to get to the top. To prevent frustration, beginners are provided with gentle guidance from staff members and other campers if they get stuck. Kids also learn new strategies from watching their peers. Over time, they can continue to maintain the challenge by advancing through different levels of climbing on the wall.

Gain Courage and Overcome Fear

At camp, kids learn how to overcome the nervousness that often accompanies new experiences. Since everyone can choose how high they want to climb, it is not uncommon to see a climber gradually get a little higher with each turn they take on the wall. Learning how to trust their instincts and deal with fear builds confidence in kids that will stick with them throughout their life.

Form Social Connections

Although climbing seems like an individual sport, it actually involves a group to keep each session safe. Kids learn how to watch out for their peers as they scale the wall, and learning to trust the instructor is also part of the sport. As kids take turns on the climbing wall, they cheer each other on and celebrate successful climbs. This show of support helps kids to form friendships as well as increase their confidence.

Climbing walls give kids just the right amount of adventure to keep them wanting to go back for more. There is just something exhilarating about finally making it to the top of the wall and getting to go back down. The best part is that, while kids think they are just having a fun time with their friends, they are gaining valuable benefits for their mind and body that contribute to better health.