Climbing is a Path
Connect. Grow. Climb. Call it higher learning. Our after-school programs provide kids a chance to take their first steps into the sport and support them all the way to our sport’s biggest stages. We’ve built programs to meet each age tier at their ability level and help young climbers follow their curiosity.
Winter Registration opens November 2nd. Please pay attention to age categories.
Rocks
Format: Seasonal
Duration: 1.5 hours
Ratio: 1:4
Age Range: 5 – 7 years
Cadence: Once a week, consistent group — great entry point for first-timers
While much of climbing comes naturally to young climbers, technique and structure goes a long way. At this age kids absorb coaching. Through thoughtful games and challenges, young climbers learn footwork and body position while working together. We emphasize creative problem solving on the wall and sharing in each other’s success.
Winter 2026/2027 Session: November 30th – March 13th, skipping December 21st-January 2nd (Winter Break) & February 15th-20th (Mid-Winter Break)
Spring 2027 Session: March 15th – June 12th, skipping April 19th-24th (Spring Break)
Boulders
Format: Seasonal
Duration: 2 hours
Ratio: 1:5
Age Range: 8-11 years
Cadence: Once a week, consistent group
At this age, young athletes begin to understand their mind plays an equal role to strength in meeting athletic challenges. Fostering perseverance takes consistency and a supportive peer group. Together, climbers tackle on-the-wall problem solving, begin to set goals and help each other work towards them while also learning how to take turns, practice good climbing etiquette and cheer each other on in whatever challenge they’ve chosen.
Winter 2026/2027 Session: November 30th – March 13th, skipping December 21st-January 2nd (Winter Break) & February 15th-20th (Mid-Winter Break)
Spring 2027 Session: March 15th – June 12th, skipping April 19th-24th (Spring Break)
Crushers
Format: Seasonal
Duration: 2 hours
Ratio: 1:6
Age Range: 12 – 14 years
Cadence: Once a week, consistent group — open to all levels
We meet teen climbers where they are — building independence, forming identity, and wanting to know the “why” behind everything. Crushers 1 makes space for teens who have just found the sport with introductions to technique and collaborative problem solving. Climbers set their own goals, take ownership of their progress, and build self-reliance that carries far beyond the gym all while supporting one another.
Winter 2026/2027 Session: November 30th – March 13th, skipping December 21st-January 2nd (Winter Break) & February 15th-20th (Mid-Winter Break)
Spring 2027 Session: March 15th – June 12th, skipping April 19th-24th (Spring Break)
- Youth under the age of 14 must be closely accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Our supervision ratio is 2 to 1; up to 2 youth climbers can be supervised by 1 adult chaperone at a time.
- Stay far from the walls and out of fall zones when moving through the gym or waiting to climb. A “fall zone” is anywhere on the mats where a climber could land if they were to fall.
- Make sure to check where a route ends before starting to climb–some routes are close together or even overlap, and you don’t want to end up directly above, below, or next to another climber.
- This is a climbing gym! Please save running, wrestling, horseplay, and gymnastics for other spaces.
Have questions about climbing, the facility, or risk? Ask our staff—we are here to help.
Youth Programs: Somerville.Youth@BoulderingProject.com
Front Desk: 617-623-6700
| Youth Program Season | Class Dates | Number of Classes | Holiday Breaks (No Classes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | September 12th – November 21st | 10 classes | September 19th (Boulderfest) |
| Winter 2026-2027 | November 30th – March 13th | 12 classes | December 21st-January 2nd (Winter Break) February 15th-20th (Mid-Winter Break) |
| Spring 2027 | March 15th – June 12th | 12 classes | April 19th-24th (Spring Break) |