Afterschool School Climbing/Wilderness Survival - Compass: Fall 2025

Climbing & Youth Program

Afterschool Program

Get ready to rock your Tuesdays! Compass Montessori students in grades 1–5 are invited to join a fun and active 12-week after-school indoor climbing program at the brand-new wall at the Colorado Mountain Club in Golden. Held every Tuesday from 2:45–5:00 PM (Aug. 26–Nov. 11, no class 9/9), this program is perfect for beginners and experienced young climbers alike. Each week, students will be picked up from Compass Montessori (Wheat Ridge & Golden Campuses) in our 15-passenger van and transported to the CMC, where they’ll learn climbing techniques, belaying, safety skills, and movement through hands-on instruction and engaging games. This program helps students build confidence, coordination, and teamwork—all while having a blast on the wall and learning some wilderness survival skills. Spots are limited, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting adventure!

Get ready to rock your Tuesdays! This fall, Compass Montessori students in grades 1–5 are invited to climb to new heights in a 12-week after-school indoor climbing program at the brand-new wall at the Colorado Mountain Club in Golden. Whether your child is new to climbing or already confident on the wall, this program offers an engaging mix of skill-building, movement, and fun.

Each Tuesday (excluding 9/9), students will be picked up from Compass Montessori in our 15-passenger van and transported to the CMC, where they’ll learn climbing techniques, safety skills, and belaying through hands-on instruction and games.

But that’s not all—this fall's program also includes an exciting wilderness survival curriculum! In addition to climbing, students will explore essential outdoor skills like building shelters, reading maps and compasses, learning the 10 Essentials, Leave No Trace principles, fire safety, and basic first aid—all designed to build confidence and resilience both on and off the wall.

With a focus on confidence, coordination, and teamwork, students will challenge themselves and support one another—all while having a blast.

  • Age: 1st-5th grade
  • Dates: August 26 - November 11 2025 (NO CLASS 9/9); Tuesdays 2:45pm-5:00pm 
    • See full weekly schedule below
  • Location: The program is located at the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) at 15605 W 3nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401. 

  • Cost: $440 (Non-Member) $420 (member) for the 12 week session
    • Course fees include: instruction, shared group gear (ex: ropes), harnesses, helmets, shoes, any additional curriculum supplies, and snacks! 

  • This program is specifically for Compass Montessori Students
  • Transportation will be provided for students from Compass Golden & Wheat ridge Campus (2:45pm) to our facility each week.
  • Pick up is at the CMC Offices in Golden. (15605 W 3nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401) 

Transportation Details

Each week the CMC Instructors will meet your youth at their respective campus for pickup. The instructors will transport the students in our 15 passenger van to the CMC Offices for the program. Pick up will be at 5:00pm from the CMC Offices.

  • Pick up at Wheat Ridge Campus: 2:45pm
  • Pick up at Golden Campus: 3:00pm

Any students 7 years or younger MUST have a booster seat to ride in our vehicles. Please reach out to hanahamilton@cmc.org with any questions or to arrange booster seat drop off. 

Pick-up Details  

Pick up will be at 5:00pm from The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) at 15605 W 3nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401. 


Registration instructions: 

If you would like to register your student, and you are not a CMC member, you will need to make a FREE guest membership account here. Once this guest membership is made for the adult (with the adults email) you will add your youth to your account. Each participant will need to fill out a Youth Form and Waiver. Only fill out the required items on the youth form. Health forms are required to submit this youth form but NOT to participate in afterschool programs. You can upload health forms if you have them or you can upload a blank placeholder document. Once this Youth Form is filled out, you can complete registration through this page.

Please reach out to youth@cmc.org with any questions about registration! We are happy to help.


Weekly Schedule:

  • 8/26/25 (Week 1): Introduction to Indoor Climbing Safety
  • 9/2/25 (Week 2): 10 Essentials, LNT
  • 9/9/25 (Week 3): NO CLASS
  • 9/16/25 (Week 4): Climbing Knots & Beginner Climbing Technique
  • 9/23/25 (Week 5): Shelter Building
  • 9/30/25 (Week 6): Belaying & Beginner Technique Continued
  • 10/7/25 (Week 7): Navigating & Orienteering  (Taking a look at compass calendar this day is “parent teacher conferences” are there enrichment programs running this day?)
  • 10/14/25 (Week 8): Intermediate Climbing Technique
  • 10/21/25 (Week 9): Fire Building & Safety 
  • 10/28/25 (Week 10): Free Climb Day & Belay Test-out
  • 11/4/25 (Week 11): First Aid & Wilderness Survival Games
  • 11/11/25 (Week 12): Climbing Games & Competition

Refund/cancellation policy

This course requires a minimum of 6 participants. If this minimum is not reached, 1 week prior to the course, the course will be cancelled and a full refund will be given. 

Program Requirements

This program has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

CMC Will Provide the Following:

  • Safety Equipment
  • Climbing Gear – harnesses, shoes, helmets, ropes, belay devices, etc.***
  • Extra Curriculum Supplies
  • Snacks

Participant Packing List:
If you are unable to bring any of the items below, please let us know. CMC does have a few extra items that we are happy to loan out.

  • Clothes (comfortable clothing for climbing):
    o Loose fitting pants or shorts
    o T-shirts and a long sleeve shirt
    o Closed-toe shoes
    o Sweater and/or warm layer
    o Jacket (in case we go outside for outdoor games)
  • Water bottle (at least 1 liter)
  • Personal Snacks
  • Personal medications (inhaler, EPI pen, etc.) – please have all containers and
    bottles labeled and also listed on the medical form

**Cell phones, gaming devices, tablets, and iPods are NOT allowed on this course.

***Participants are allowed to bring their personal climbing gear – harnesses, shoes, helmets, etc. Please note this is optional. (CMC instructors will inspect all personal gear/equipment before use).

Program Materials

You must register for this program to see program materials.