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Intermediate/Advanced Rock Climbing - 2025 Penitente Canyon (Grades 9-12): July 28 - August 1

Climbing & Youth Program

Intermediate/Advanced Rock Climbing

Join us for a week in Penitente Canyon and the Great sand Dunes National park exploring different types of rock and their unique challenges, learning more advanced technical skills, climbing techniques, and fine-tuning the essential skill of rappelling, and sand boarding the great dunes. This program is catered to youth who are interested in outdoor climbing and are ready to go beyond the basics.

Contacts

Placeholder Contact Profile
Alec Backhus
Leader
Placeholder Contact Profile
Hana Hamilton
Leader
Ready to take your climbing skills to the next level?  Join us for a week in Penitente Canyon exploring different types of rock and their unique challenges, learning more advanced technical skills, climbing techniques, and fine-tuning the essential skill of rappelling. This program is catered to youth who are interested in outdoor climbing and are ready to go beyond the basics. Throughout this week you will advance your skills and techniques by learning the intricacies of climbing on various rock types and gaining an understanding of climbing grades and different types of climbing.  Each day we will travel to a new outdoor location, led by highly skilled instructors, and gain skills in small, supportive groups. We’ll start our week reviewing basic climbing safety, belaying, and knot typing, and then spend the rest of the week developing more skills, learning how to climb up overhangs, on faces, in cracks, and on slabs. We’ll dive into the differences between traditional and sport climbing and learn what it takes to climb a multi-pitch sport route. Previous climbing experience is required. We will finish the week exploring the Great Sand Dunes national park while sledding and sandboarding the dunes!

  • Age: For youth going into grades 9-12. 

  • Dates: July 28-August 1st 2025 (depart at 8am on Monday, Return at 4pm on Friday)
  • Location: This is a week-long overnight camp. We will depart from Rooney Ranch Elementary in Lakewood, CO. Transportation from the Rooney Ranch Elementary to and from Penitente Canyon will be provided.

  • Cost: CMC Family Members - $1,350/week, Non-Members - $1,450/week. CMC Members with a Family Membership receive $100 off. Learn about all the benefits of becoming a CMC member. 
    • Please note, if you have an individual membership and wish to sign up your child, you will need to create a separate guest account with a different email. You can also choose to upgrade your individual membership to a family membership to be able to register your child on your account and receive the discount.
    • Course fee includes instruction, shared group gear (tents), transportation from basecamp to/from the trailheads, meals, and backcountry permits. 
    • AT CMC, WE BELIEVE THE OUTDOORS ARE FOR ALL. If you need financial assistance for our camps, click here to apply! If you would like to set up a payment plan to finance your next adventure, email us at youth@cmc.org  
      • Refund/cancellation policy
      • After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. At least a week prior to your camp you will receive another email with more details and information about the camp. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!
Program Requirements

This program has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

CMC Will Provide the Following:

  • Camping Supplies (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tarps)
  • Cooking Supplies (stoves, fuel, coolers, dishes, utensils, etc.)
  • Food (all meals and snacks)
  • Medical/First Aid Kits
  • Safety Equipment (GPS devices, etc.)
  • Climbing Gear – harnesses, shoes, helmets, ropes, belay devices, etc. (youth may bring their own personal harnesses, shoes, and helmets)***
  • Permits, maps, guidebooks

Participant Packing List: If you are unable to bring any of the items below, please let us know 1 week prior to the trip. CMC does have a few extra items that we are happy to loan out for the trip.

  • Camping Supplies (you may bring the following items if you wish, however, CMC is also able to provide these items): tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad
  • Clothes (comfortable clothing for climbing, hiking, and camping):
    • Loose fitting pants or shorts
    • Tshirts and a long sleeve shirt
    • Closed-toe, sturdy hiking shoes
    • Sandals – camp shoes (optional)
    • Socks and underwear
    • Sweater and/or warm layer
    • Rain jacket
    • Brimmed hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Warm hat and gloves (it can get cold at night)
    • Bandana or buff
    • Bathing Suit
  • Toiletries- tooth brush, toothpaste, menstrual products, body wash/soap, shampoo,
    conditioner (optional)
  • Mask (optional)
  • Bug spray (must be labeled with name)
  • Sunscreen and lip balm (must be labeled with name)
  • Water bottle
  • Backpack large enough to carry all personal essentials for a day hike/climb
  • Personal medications (inhaler, EPI pen, etc.) – please have all containers and bottles
    labeled and also listed on the medical forms
  • Headlamp
  • Journal, pencil, pen, books (optional)
  • Towel
  • Camera (optional)
    **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

There are no materials for this program.