Climbing for kids is a fun way to stay active and promote physical strength, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Sport Lancaster encourages young people to push their limits and build confidence on the Climbing Wall.
Kids' Climbing Courses at Sport Lancaster are delivered in termly blocks. We are proud to deliver National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS®), a nationally-recognised introduction to climbing, providing a gateway to learning more and developing a love for the sport.
Children between 6 and 14 years old must be supervised by a registered adult over the age of 18, at a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children. The supervising adult will sign a supervision liability form at the Sport Lancaster Reception Desk before each climb.
Climbers between 14 and 17 years old may register to become unsupervised users of the Climbing Wall, however, they need a parent or guardian to complete the registration form and act as a witness during the young person’s Competency Assessment.
The 7-9 year old sessions are the first age group eligible to take part in the National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS®). Young people will be introduced to climbing and develop a love for the sport.
The key aim is to provide a safe introduction to climbing for anyone aged 7+ years on artificial climbing structures (e.g. indoor climbing walls).
NICAS classes for 7-9 year olds cost £127.50, which includes a 1-hour session per week throughout a 15-week term. Parents/children should choose a day that works for their schedule.
Dates for the new term of NICAS will be displayed on this page once confirmed. Booking in advance is advised by calling reception 01524 510600. For further information about Kids' Climbing, please email our Climbing Team at climbing@lancaster.ac.uk.
These sessions are suitable for young people aged 10-13 who have progressed through to the higher levels of the National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS®). Participants will learn more about the history, ethics and styles of both indoor and outdoor climbing.
The nationally-recognised scheme helps to standardise the teaching and coaching of climbing in a structured manner, whilst providing lots of fun too.
NICAS classes for 10-13 year olds cost £187.50, which includes a 1.5-hour session per week throughout a 15-week term. Parents/children should choose a day that works for their schedule.
Dates for the new term of NICAS will be displayed on this page once confirmed. Booking in advance is advised by calling reception 01524 510600. For further information about Kids' Climbing, please email our Climbing Team at climbing@lancaster.ac.uk.
Also known at Sport Lancaster as Young Climbers Club, this session is available to young people from the age of 14 who have progressed from earlier NICAS levels.
Young people from 14 years old are also eligible to take their Competency Assessment at Sport Lancaster and register to use the Climbing Wall unsupervised, without the structure of the NICAS qualification.
The Tuesday session's learning content is flexible, and NICAS has always been optional. This is because the group includes a wide range of abilities—from keen novices to experienced NICAS climbers (some of whom may or may not wish to continue with NICAS). During exam periods especially, many young people prefer the relaxed, social atmosphere rather than a highly structured syllabus.
The Saturday session is more structured, with a stronger focus on following the NICAS syllabus.
Dates for the new term of NICAS will be displayed on this page once confirmed. Booking in advance is advised by calling reception 01524 510600. For further information about Kids' Climbing, please email our Climbing Team at climbing@lancaster.ac.uk.
A fun session for families looking to explore the sport and spend quality time together on the wall. The session consists of learning basic skills such as fitting a harness, tying a figure-of-eight knot, belaying, bouldering, and top roping.
Book a fun-filled party for your child, including games, bouldering, rope climbing and more.
