Climbing Clinics
Renew Your Belay Endorsement
All patrons are required to renew their top rope belay endorsement with Campus Recreation at the beginning of each fall semester. Your completion of this requirement will assist us in providing the most consistent and safest climbing wall experience for all. The yearly renewal fee is $15.
With our recent move to a computerized tracking and check-in system at the Adventure Center for the climbing wall each patron will also be required to resubmit the climbing wall release forms.
Please complete the forms at the Adventure Center and check when top rope belay endorsement renewals are available. Both of these requirements must be completed as soon as possible.
Whether you are looking to get off the ground or go to new heights, we offer a variety of short clinics designed to teach you the basics. Browse our offerings below and stop by the Adventure Center to register at least one week before the scheduled clinic date. We accept payments in the form of cash, checks, and credit card.
Custom-designed instructional clinics in kayaking, backpacking, inline skating, canoeing, horseback riding, climbing, backpacking, bicycle maintenance, and camp skills may be arranged for groups, clubs, scouts, and organizations. These clinics are offered on an as-needed-basis. If interested, please e-mail adventurerecreation@illinois.edu.
Top Rope Belay Endorsement Clinic
Every Monday (during each semester), 9-11 pm
$30 UI student and Campus Rec Member
$40 Non-Member
The first step in starting your vertical adventure, the participant will gain a basic introduction to the skill required to climb on Top-Rope. The clinic includes knot tying skills, belaying skills, and a belay endorsement examination. Upon completion and endorsement participants will be free to belay other climbers during open hours.
The Top Rope Belay Endorsment Clinic schedule is subject to change.
Lead Endorsement/Traditional Clinic
Days and Times TBA
$30 UI student and Campus Rec Member
$40 Non-Member
Leading on Fixed Protection Clinic
Ante up the intensity of your climbing! Learn to sport climb in a safe environment. The clinic will cover the basics of lead belaying, clipping, leading, and safe falling. Climbers must be able to climb at the 5.9 level and be belay endorsed. Completion and endorsement of the course will permit the climber to lead on the ARC rock climbing wall at the discretion of the staff.
Basics of Traditional Climbing Clinic
Want to go climb anything, anywhere, any time? Traditional climbing, the root of climbing lets the climber explore the rock on his own terms. This introductory course will instruct the climber in the proper placement of traditional climbing gear, basic anchor building techniques, and mock leading. Participants must be lead endorsed.
Advanced Climbing Clinic
Learn the fundamental techniques of movement on the rock. Designed for advanced beginners looking for that extra edge! This course will cover the basics of body positioning, footwork, and fluid, energy efficient movement. Special techniques such as perching and knee bars will also be discussed. This course will take your climbing to a whole new level.
Rock Rescue Clinic
This four day course is meant to present the students with practical solutions to real situations (i.e. rescues with 'typical' gear you carry on a climb) necessitating a rescue. The methods are presented in the context of sport and traditional climbing, but can all be applied to mountaineering rescue situations on snow or ice. Topics covered include belay escapes, ascending/descending, rappel rescues, hauling systems, and advanced leader rescue. The seminars build on one another in complexity culminating in a practice rescue under controlled conditions.
Kids Climbing Clinic
(non-instructional)
October 17, 10 am-Noon
November 14, 10 am-Noon
December 12, 10 am-Noon
February 13, 10 am-Noon
March 13, 10 am-Noon
April 17, 10 am-Noon
$20 UI student and Campus Rec Member
$25 Non-Member
Does your child have a lot of energy? Have they always tried to climb everything in sight? Bring them in for some climbing fun. Clinic offers non-stop belaying services by two staff members for the kids.
Family Climbing Clinic
Do you have an interest in climbing but can't leave the kid’s home alone? This family clinic focuses on the instruction of adults in the basics of Top-Roping. Adults will be taught knot tying skills, and belaying skills. A belay endorsement will be given at the end of the session. The kids may be belayed by staff and the endorsed guardian. Price is per adult-child pair. Every additional child will be charged the kid’s clinic rate.