Climbing Summer Program, since 2001.
Registration for all 5 weeks is closed!
Click Here to register for the 2023 Summer Program!
Five weeks of sport climbing training July 2 – August 5, 2023
2023 Covid Policy
Our hope for this summer is that the Summer Program will be as normal an experience as possible. We are hoping that all those eligible have taken advantage of the opportunity to receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, as this will make it much easier for us to keep children safe while staying mostly mask free.
In order to keep everyone as healthy as possible, we ask that participants and their families avoid engaging in high-risk activities prior to arriving at the campground. For example: large indoor events with a large amount of attendees unmasked are not recommended prior to arriving at the campground.
For those who HAVE received all doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine, here is what we require in order to attend our Summer Program:
- All fully vaccinated participants must produce proof of vaccination upon arrival to the campground.
- All fully vaccinated participants must produce proof of a negative antigen test 24-36 hours before arrival at the campground.
- All participants must bring with them at least 2 unopened antigen tests for each week they will be staying at the campground. These tests should be labeled with the participant’s names and will be stored in a safe location for participants to access should testing be necessary.
For those who HAVE NOT received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, here is what we require in order to attend our Summer Program:
- All participants that are not fully vaccinated must produce proof of a negative PCR test 3 days prior to arrival at campground.
- After receiving the test, participants must isolate until they arrive at the campground, and provide proof of a negative test upon arrival.
- All participants must bring with them at least 2 unopened antigen tests for each week they will be staying at the campground. These tests should be labeled with the participant’s names and will be stored in a safe location for participants to access should testing be necessary.
While at the campground, our current plans are to be mask free whenever possible except in situations where it is impossible to maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance. Children will sleep in individual tents and all staff members will be fully vaccinated.
If a participant ends up testing positive while at the campground, they will be required to be picked up by their parent, guardian, or emergency contact. While they are waiting to be picked up, they will be wait to be picked up in an isolated area away from the rest of the participants. Please make a plan in advance so that participants can be picked up within 10 hours if they test positive while at the campground.
  
  
 
Description
This focused opportunity is designed for participants (ages 10-16) who would like to learn new techniques and enhance their climbing skills in an outdoor setting. Whether attending for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 weeks participants will enjoy a well-rounded, safety-conscious program that builds on their love of the rock climbing sport.
Our Climbing Program
The small number of participants (max: 8 and 4 counselors per week) will enable us to provide high quality, intensive training with maximum safety. Each participant will receive our undivided, personal attention as we coach each to his/her next level. We will concentrate on specific techniques for face, overhang, and crack climbing. Climbers who compete and qualify for the nationals will not only participate in lead climbing on well- protected sport routes but will learn strategies and tactics in a non-competitive environment.
We will explore some of the best sport and traditional climbing areas of the Northeast: Rumney Rocks in Plymouth, NH (World famous climbing with 600+ routes of all levels of difficulty), Cathedral Ledges, Echo Crag, Sundown Ledges. All these crags provide super quality climbing for all levels.
Additional Activities
Each day, participants can participate in non-climbing activities. This includes swimming (under supervision), playing field sports such as soccer and volleyball and taking hiking trips to nearby mountains and forests. Evening activities range from games and contests to campfire gatherings and skits.
Summer Program Location
The program is located at the Plymouth Sands Campground, in Plymouth, NH (about 2 hours from Boston and 10 minutes away from Rumney).
Meals
We will maintain social distancing during all meals.
Participants enjoy three main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) each day, along with fruits and vegetables after climbing, and milk and cookies before bed. It’s all prepared by a talented cook Irina with extensive mountaineering expedition experience.
Irina is THE COOK, a mom of two daughters, a climber, runner, yogi and a bookkeeper of our school!
 
On rest days we cook pizza! It’s fresh! It’s tasty! It’s healthy!
Safety
Safety of our students is always our first priority. Its based on over 40 year combined safe-climbing experience of our instructors and councilors. All instructors/staff are CPR and first aid certified.
Schedule
Participants can sign-up for one, two, three, four or five weeks:
1. July 2 – July 8, 2023
2. July 9 – July 16, 2023
3. July 16 – July 22, 2023
4. July 23 – July 29, 2023
5. July 30 – August 5, 2023
Cost
1 week – $1060
2 weeks – $2060 ($1030 per week)
3 weeks – $3030 ($ 1010 per week)
4 weeks $3960 ($990 per week)
5 weeks $4850 ($970 per week)
$100 deposit is due upon registration (fully refundable until June 1st). The full payment is due by June 25th.
Directions
To Plymouth Sands Camping Area
From Boston: Take Rt.93 North. Take exit 26 on Rt.25 to West Plymouth. After you pass a set of lights and a gas station on your right, take a right onto Smith Bridge Rd. After you pass a covered bridge look to the left for the campground, which is about 500ft. away from the bridge. The address is:
Plymouth Sands Camping Area
3 Quincy Rd.
Plymouth, N.H. 03264
Arrival and Pick Up
First session:
Arrival time: 10AM-11AM on July 2
Pick up time: 10AM-11AM on July 8
Second session:
Arrival time: 10AM-11AM on July 9
Pick up time: 10AM-11AM on July 15
Third session:
Arrival time: 10AM-11AM on July 16
Pick up time: 10AM-11AM on July 22
Fourth session:
Arrival time: 10AM-11AM on July 23
Pick up time: 10AM-11AM on July 29
Fifth session:
Arrival time: 10AM-11AM on July 30
Pick up time: 10AM-11AM on August 5
Children sleep in tents (One Person per Tent during Covid times) covered by tarps on frames and fully protected from the rain.
Boys’ Area
Girls’ Area
Day Schedule
7:30 Wake up
7:30-8:00 morning exercises
8:00-8:30 breakfast
8:30-9:00 cleaning tents
9:30 AM-4:30 PM climbing
11:30 snack
1:30 lunch
3:30 snack
5:00-6:00 games and water activities.
6:00-6:30 dinner.
7:00-9:00 evening activities.
9:00-9:30 supper.
9:30-10:00 socializing time.
10:00 bed time.
What to bring:
Backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad;
Jacket, sweater, sweatpants;
Shorts, T-shirts;
Thick wool socks and regular socks;
Warm hat and cap;
Waterproof shells ( top and bottom, poncho useful )
Sneakers and flip-flops/sandals (mud shoes for rainy days);
Bathing suit;
Towel and wash kit;
Flashlight;
Sun block;
Insect repellent 2/week;
Spoon;
Dish;
Mug;
Climbing shoes;
Harness;
Chalk bag.
Water bottle
Laundry will be done on the weekends for campers staying longer than one week.
Irina and Aleksey will have their cell phones with them at the program location for emergencies and such. Please call one of the numbers below if you wish to reach one of them.
Irina – 978 766 8150
Aleksey – 978 273 5621
Final Note before you start packing for the Summer Program.
The more commonly forgotten and among the most important items on the list include: rain gear, dishes for meal times, and a warm hat, jacket, and long pants for cold nights. Please send your participant with sunscreen and bug spray (double set) as well. Although we do tick checks, the ticks are rampant this year. Â It is also recommended that participants bring a mesh bag of sorts to store dishes to prevent them from getting lost.
In terms of things that aren’t on the list, kids often like to bring their cell phones/chargers (for calling home only! Phones are NOT allowed outside of tents unless being used for calling home. Â Kids without phones may use Aleksey’s if they ever want to call home). Â Many participants also like to bring games (without any small, easy to lose pieces) for rainy days, various sports items (Frisbee, soccer ball, etc…), or any other fun items that could be used in group activities. Some things that kids should NOT bring to the program: pocket knives, anything expensive/breakable, or an abundance of snacks/candy (meals and snacks will be provided, participants are well fed!).
When you arrive to Plymouth Sands campground, you well be met at the entrance by our counselors, who will escort participants with their belongings to our site. Parents are welcome to walk to the site by foot. Please do not drive through the campground to drop off or pick up.
Looking forward to seeing you all next summer and hope you are as excited as we are,
Summer Program Staff