The editor
About YouthClimbing.com
A parent handbook edited by Jeff Brewer, a climber and a father of five.
Why I write this
I edit YouthClimbing.com for the parent on the mat. I climb. I have five kids. I wanted one place that answers the first gym visit, the shoe question, and the season ahead without shouting at you.
If you are heading to a gym this week, start with the first-visit guide. The rest of this page is why the handbook exists.
Our Story
In seventh grade, Jeff Brewer discovered climbing the way many kids do: by doing something slightly reckless. Armed with his dad's tow rope and a leather belt fashioned into a makeshift harness, he rappelled down a hill behind his house. It was terrifying, exhilarating, and the start of something that would shape the rest of his life.
Over the years, Jeff became a serious climber. He earned a reputation in his local community for strength on difficult routes, the kind of climber who could muscle through moves that made others think twice. He chased hard lines, pushed limits, and lived for the feeling of committing to a move with nothing but skill and nerve between him and the ground.
He also made mistakes. The kind of mistakes that only look reckless in retrospect, when you're older and have five kids of your own looking up at you.
When Jeff became a father, climbing took on a new meaning. He built rock walls inside his kids' rooms and out in the garage. He encouraged his children to climb trees, scramble over boulders, and test their limits in ways that built confidence without courting the unnecessary dangers he'd accepted as a young man. His kids, naturally, have found ways to scare him anyway, sometimes climbing higher than he'd like without the protection he wishes they'd use.
YouthClimbing.com grew out of that tension: the desire to share the sport he loves with his children, and the determination to help them do it more safely than he did. This site is for every parent who has stood at the base of a climbing wall watching their child reach for the next hold, heart in their throat, pride swelling in their chest.
Because that moment, that mix of fear and joy and awe, is what youth climbing is all about.
What this site is for
YouthClimbing.com is a handbook for parents of young climbers. It covers a first gym visit, kids’ gear, safety notes that cite published sources, USA Climbing, camps, and college climbing. The writing is for the adult in the family.
I update a guide when a rule, a piece of gear, or a season detail changes. I do not rank gyms. A directory listing means the program has a public youth page you can check yourself.
Editorial Policy
- Independence: Our gear recommendations are based on hands-on testing, industry expertise, and community feedback. No brand pays for placement in our reviews.
- Transparency: We disclose all affiliate relationships. When you click a product link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
- Accuracy: When a guide states a rule or a number, it cites a published source. Competition facts point at USA Climbing or the IFSC. A page is updated when that source changes.
- Limits: Safety notes are for parents to read. They are not a diagnosis. For a medical question, use a doctor. For a house rule, ask that gym.
Privacy
We collect the email addresses and messages you choose to send us: newsletter signups are processed by Beehiiv, and About-page contact form messages are used only to reply. We do not sell that information. The full Privacy Policy covers the contact form, The Belay, and the analytics cookies already on this site.
Terms
YouthClimbing.com is an informational resource for climbing parents. Guides are not a substitute for professional medical, coaching, or legal advice. Product links may be affiliate links as described below. YouthClimbing.com is a Hanok Ventures property.
Affiliate Disclosure
YouthClimbing.com participates in affiliate programs with REI, Backcountry.com, Black Diamond Equipment, La Sportiva USA, and Amazon Associates. This means we earn a small commission when you purchase products through our links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help us keep our guides free and our content independent.
We will never recommend a product we don't genuinely believe is right for young climbers. Our editorial process is completely separate from our affiliate relationships.
How safety pages are handled
Safety and training pages cite a published source when they use a number or a rule. I do not list a review board I cannot name on the page. If a credential is not on the article, it is not a claim of this site.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries? Send a note below and it lands straight in our inbox. We reply by email.
You can also reach us at [email protected].
YouthClimbing.com is a Hanok Ventures property.
Start with the first gym visit
Five steps. One guide each. The path begins with what to wear, what to rent, and how long to stay.