Getting Started

Rock climbing is a two-person sport. One person holds the rope (belays) while the other climbs. You must be at least twelve years old to take our belay certification course. If you’re under twelve, you just get to climb more!

We encourage everyone to take our Intro where you receive belay and climbing instruction. Learn to relax, balance, be centered, and not fight the wall. 

As a rope holder, you can watch the climber and give advice. Learn how to be an efficient climber and problem solve for success.

The High Ropes Course is for groups. Bring your group here and try out our challenging and exciting high ropes course. Through Shared Adventures you can also decide on our expert Team Creation options.

People With Disabilities
RockVentures has a new course that includes people with disabilities. Our new block and tackle system enables people who are unable to fully use their legs and arms to hoist themselves, or be hoisted up the rock wall and some of the ropes course elements. We are the only climbing gym and ropes course in our region that provides year around programs accessible to people with disabilities. Contact us today for more information!

In conjunction with the Center for Disability Rights in Rochester, we hosted the first ever course designed for people with disabilities called Outdoor Exposure. Contact the Center for Disability Rights in Rochester for more information.

RockVentures Indoor Climbing and Teambuilding Center

is now accessible for people with disabilities!

The Center for Disability Rights (CDR) , based in Rochester, acquired a federally funded RSA grant to start a program called Outdoor Exposure, which invited us to partner with them to develop an integrated and accessible facility and program. (See their website at www.rochestercdr.org) With this support we made our entrance and climbing areas accessible with ramps. We also have two block and tackle systems which enable some people with disabilities to hoist themselves or be hoisted by others and be helped to ascend our walls.

For three years (2005-2008), we will be working with CDR to provide three 18-hour courses in three years that will include team-building and skill development for adults with and without disabilities. These courses are held in early winter (Nov-Dec) and for more information you may call us or visit CDR’s website for registration information. 

In addition to these courses, we are now able to offer integrated climbing access for individuals and groups which include people with disabilities. Below, please select the most accurate description of yourself (individual or group) and review the questions to allow us to best help you. We will schedule a time when you/the group can come in for a pre-climbing orientation in order to review these questions and to ensure all needs will be adequately met.

INDIVIDUAL

• How did you learn about us?

• Have you climbed before?

• Have you held the rope (belayed) for other climbers before?

• Do you have a climbing buddy who can assist you while climbing?

• Has this person every climbed or belayed at Rock Ventures before?

• If under 18 years of age, is a parent willing to sign our waiver for you?

• Would your personal physician agree this sport would be beneficial for you?

• What kinds of supports do you think you will need while climbing?'

GROUP

• How did you learn about us?

• Are any of the climbers under 18 years of age?

• If under 18 years of age, will a parent or guardian be willing to sign our waiver?

• If 12 years of age and older….are any of the group members able and willing to be trained to be belayers (rope holders)?

• How many people would be in your group?

• What are the ages and types of disabilities of interested people?

• Do you have people in the group who will be able to provide physical assistance (e.g., getting people into and out of support harnesses, padding, helmets, etc.)

• Do you have people in the group who will be able to belay others in the group?

• Have they climbed and held the rope before at RockVentures?

• How long has it been since they were trained to be rope holders here?

• Do you have a date, day and time preference for your group to climb?

• Do you plan on coming more than once? How often and date/time preferences?

• Have group members’ personal physicians agreed this sport would be beneficial?

Call TODAY to set up a FREE orientation visit!

Thank you for expressing interest in our Climbing & Teambuilding facility!

Mobile Wall
Would you prefer that we bring the adventure to you? Let us bring our 23 foot high wall your way. More than 400 participants daily, ages 2-92, have climbed it during festivals. Our Guides provide an educational, friendly experience. It’s perfect for company picnics, birthdays, festivals, neighborhood block parties, fundraisers, end-of-year and kick-off events. For a small extra fee we can list you as an additional insured on our insurance policy. Is this mobile wall for you? Please visit the Mobile Wall page to decide.