KIDS & YOUTH SESSIONS
Our coaching sessions follow an annual plan, with new topics each half term, to keep things engaging and fun for young people. Some former Mini Monkeys are now coaching the sessions themselves!
Boulder Babies (1 - 4 years)
A morning group session for your little boulder baby!
The session will be based around the basics of climbing such as balance and footwork, with a steady approach for children. The session will also include games and baby yoga to keep your little one entertained while learning a new skill.
​Aimed at toddling babies to four year olds.
​
Session Time:
Monday (term-time only): 10:30am-11:30am
Wednesday (term-time only: 10:30am - 11:30am
Price: £6.50 per child and second child half price, includes free tea/instant coffee.
MINI MONKEYS (5 - 6 years)
A session for 5 and 6 year-olds of all abilities to build their climbing skills in a safe and fun environment.
​
Your child will be able to develop fundamental climbing skills through games, drills, movement and practice. Our sessions focus on a different topic each term to give your child structure and variety.
​
Ratios: 1 instructor: 5 children.
Price: £11.25 per session, paid in half-term blocks.
Parents are not required to stay for the session, but are welcome to do so in our cafe area.
​​
We operate a waiting list for our Mini Monkeys classes. To join, complete the form below and fill in a waiver for your child. We'll be in touch as soon as a place comes available. Please only add your child to the waiting list once they are at least 4 years old.
SPIDER MONKEYS (6 - 8 years)
A session for 6 - 8 year-olds of all abilities to build their climbing skills in a safe and fun environment.
​
Your child will be able to develop fundamental climbing skills through games, drills, movement and practice. Our sessions focus on a different topic each term to give your child structure and variety.
​
Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children.
Price: £11.25 per session, paid in half-term blocks.
Parents are not required to stay for the session, but are welcome to do so in our cafe area.
​
We operate a waiting list for our Spider Monkeys classes. To join, complete the form below and fill in a waiver for your child. We'll be in touch as soon as a place comes available. Please only add your child to the waiting list once they are at least 5 years old.
NICAS BOULDERING LEVEL 1 (9 years +)
A prerequisite for all children who would like to attend our 9-13 years-old kids clubs, or for any children looking to develop as boulderers. Suitable for children aged 8+. Please email dora@climbingworks.com to register your interest.
​
The course takes place over two 1.5 hours sessions, usually at the weekend or in school holidays.
​
Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children
Price: £46
*Price includes equipment hire, NICAS workbook, certificates and NICAS registration.​
​​
If interested in joining our 9-13 years-old clubs after completing this course, please get in touch. Your child will be offered a place on a day with availability, or added to the waiting list for an alternative day.
CLIMBING WORKS CLUB (9 - 13 years)
A coached session for 9–13-year-olds who are keen to develop their climbing skills, meet new people, and have fun.
​
A progressive annual plan with fresh topics each half term keeps sessions engaging and helps young climbers work towards eventually becoming independent climbers. Expect structured sessions that combine climbing and technique practice to support skill development.
​
Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children.
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term.
​
Session Times (1.5 hours):
Monday: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Tuesday: 4:30pm - 6pm
Thursday: 4:30pm - 6pm
Friday: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:15am - 10:45am; 11:15am - 12:45pm
​
​Before you can sign up to Climbing Works Club waiting list, your child must complete a NICAS Level 1 course (National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes). The course consists of two 1.5-hour sessions and ensures everyone starts at a similar level, with a good understanding of safety, climbing etiquette, key techniques and terminology. Once this has been completed, please get in touch with your club preference. Your child will be offered a place on a day with availability, or added to the waiting list for an alternative day. Please email dora@climbingworks.com to register your interest.
TALENT SQUAD (9 - 17 years)
Our development pathway supports motivated climbers who are keen to improve their technical ability, physical preparation, and understanding of climbing through regular coaching and structured sessions.
​
The Climbing Works Athlete Development Squads (WADS) pathway is divided into three squads:
• Mini WADS: an introduction to performance-focused training
• WADS: a development squad for committed young climbers
• WADS+: an advanced squad for highly motivated athletes
In addition to this, we run Advanced Kids & Advanced Youth sessions, as a stepping stone between Climbing Works Club and Wads/Wads+. This is ideal for motivated young climbers who cannot commit to the twice weekly Wads sessions.
​
Progression through the pathway is based on coach observation, athlete readiness, and available spaces within each group. Movement between squads is not automatic and takes place following discussions within the coaching team.
The main entry point into the pathway is through our annual Talent Try-Outs (see below), although climbers may also be identified and invited through coach recommendation throughout the year. The only exception is Mini Wads, which is invite-only and based on coach recommendations, as well as performance in events such as the Young Climbers Festival or Mini Winter Bouldering League.
​Please note that WADS and WADS+ run twice a week, and athletes joining these squads are expected to attend both weekly sessions as part of the programme. For climbers who cannot commit to two weekly sessions, we recommend joining the Advanced Kids/Youth Clubs, which provide excellent coaching in a more flexible format.
​
If you are interested in the development clubs, please email sandra@climbingworks.com.
Advanced Kids Club (9 - 13 years)
Sessions (1 per week):
Wednesday, 4:30-6:00pm or 6:00-7:30pm
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term
Advanced Youth Club (13 - 17 years)
Sessions (1 per week):
Monday, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, 5:30-7:00pm
Price: £16.5 per session, pay per half term
Mini WADS (7 - 9 years)
Sessions (1 per week):
Tuesday, 4:30-6:00pm or
Thursday, 5:30-7:00pm
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term
WADS (9 - 13 years)
Sessions (2 per week):
Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00-8:00pm
Price: £16.50 per session, pay per half term
WADS+ (13 - 17 years)
Sessions (2 per week):
Monday & Wednesday, 5:00-7:00pm, or
Tuesday & Thursday 6:00-8:00pm
Price: £16.50 per session, pay per half term
Talent Try-Outs
Why are we having a selection day?
Every summer we host a try-out event for our Advanced Kids & Youth Club, WADS, and WADS+ groups. This event gives any interested climber the chance to put themselves forward for these squads in a fair and unbiased format. The results from the selection day help us determine the most suitable group for each individual climber.
Who is it aimed at?
The try-outs are open to climbers aged 9-16 years (including those turning 9 by September) who are keen to further develop their climbing ability. Participants do not need to currently attend one of our clubs, but given the format of the event, we recommend that they already have a solid amount of climbing experience and are climbing at a reasonably high level. The selection day takes place before the summer break each year.​
​
If you have any questions regarding the event please contact Sandra@climbingworks.com.
YOUTH CLUB (13 - 17 years)
A relaxed and fun session for 13 – 17 year olds of all abilities. Well-suited to young people building towards independence as climbers, with guidance from coaches to help them along.
​
Young people can expect to socialise and meet other young climbers in a session that will be climber-led. Sessions take place in The Climbing Works.
​
Price: £14 (£13 for prepaid membership holders)
Sessions time: Friday 7:00pm - 8.30pm
Book weekly below, please give as much notice as possible for any cancellations as this class is often full.
Alternatives: when young people turn 14 they can do a junior assessment and become a junior member. This means that they can climb in The Climbing Works and Mini Works without being supervised by a coach or guardian.
The SEND-IT Climbing Club is a dedicated climbing session for children aged 7+ with additional needs.
Held at a quieter time in The Mini Works and run with smaller group ratios, the sessions allow our experienced coaches to provide each child with the extra attention and support they need.
Children will work on building their confidence and skills in a fun and supportive environment.​
​​
We currently offer three SEND-IT classes, all with waiting lists:
-
Friday, 4:00-5:15 PM for children aged 7-12
-
Friday, 5:45-7:00 PM for those aged 13+
-
Saturday, 5:30-6:45 PM for children aged 7-12
-
​
To add your child to any of the waiting lists, please ensure they are registered first (if you haven’t done so already, click here) and then email Dora@climbingworks.com with their full name and date of birth, along with your session preference, so they can be added to the list.
