KIDS & YOUTH SESSIONS
Our coaching sessions follow an annual plan, with new topics each half term to keep things fresh and fun for young people. Some former Mini Monkeys are now coaching the sessions themselves!
Motivated and dedicated young climbers can out try for our Talent Squad, click below for more details.
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 but 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.
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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 - 6 year olds of all abilities to build their climbing skills in a safe and fun environment.
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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.
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Ratios: 1 instructor: 5 children. Parents do not have to stay for the session but are welcome to do so.
Price: £11.25 per session, pay per half term.
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Session Times:
Wednesday 4pm - 5pm
Sunday 9:15am - 10:15am
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We operate a waiting list for our Mini Monkeys classes. To join, fill in the form below and fill out a waiver. 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.
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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.
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Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children. Parents do not have to stay for the session but are welcome to do so.
Price: £11.25 per session, pay per half term.
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We operate a waiting list for our Spider Monkeys classes. To join, fill in the form below and fill out a waiver. 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.
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The course takes place over two 1.5 hours sessions, usually at the weekend or in school holidays.
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Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children
Price: £46
*Price includes equipment hire, NICAS workbook, certificates and NICAS registration.​
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If interested in joining our 9-13 years-old clubs after completing this course, 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.
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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.
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Ratios: 1 instructor: 6 children.
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term.
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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
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​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, 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
TALENT SQUAD (9 - 17 years)
Our development pathway is aimed at young climbers who try hard, are enthusiastic and show potential as young climbers. This pathway is ideal for competitive climbers and those who enjoy challenging themselves.
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Mini Wads is invitation-only and based on recommendations from coaches, as well as performance in the Mini Works Winter Bouldering League or Young Climbers Festival.
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For the other advanced groups, climbers will need to attend our annual Selection Event.
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If you are interested in the development clubs, talk to your child's coach or email sandra@climbingworks.com.
Mini WADS (7 - 9 Years)
Session times: Thursdays - 5:30pm - 7pm
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term
Advanced Kids Club (9 - 13 years)
A stepping stone between Climbing Works Club and Wads, ideal for motivated young climbers who cannot commit to the twice weekly Wads sessions.
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term
Advanced Youth Club (13 - 17 years)
A stepping stone between Youth Club and Wads+, ideal for motivated young climbers who cannot commit to the twice weekly Wads+ sessions.
Price: £14 per session, pay per half term
WADS (9 - 13 years)
(Works Advanced Development Squad). A structured climbing and training session for motivated and dedicated young climbers.
Sessions (2 per week):
Tuesday: 6pm - 8 pm
Thursday: 6pm - 8pm
Price: £16.50 per session, pay per half term
WADS+ (13 - 17 years)
Aimed at helping mature and dedicated climbers to become more independent so that they can go off and explore all that climbing has to offer.
Sessions (2 per week):
Monday & Wednesday 5pm - 7pm, or
Tuesday & Thursday 6pm - 8pm
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.​
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If you have any questions regarding the event please contact Sandra@climbingworks.com.
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.​
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We currently offer three SEND-IT classes, all with waiting lists:
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Friday, 4:00-5:15 PM for children aged 7-12
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Friday, 5:45-7:00 PM for those aged 13+
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Saturday, 5:30-6:45 PM for children aged 7-12
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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.
