Category: Kids

Breaking Beta Girl Scout Patch at LCC

Posted on by Aaron

“Hi my name is Terra Brubaker. I am a Cadette Girl Scout in troop #77915. For my Silver Award I created an indoor climbing patch program and requirements that can be completed at the Longmont Climbing Collective.

The name of the patch is “Breaking Beta.” In climbing jargon that means that you get the information you need to be successful in a climbing route. I am hoping girls get the information they need to feel successful and empowered to climb. I coordinated with one of the LCC owners to ensure trained climbing instructors from the LCC will help the girls complete the patch requirements.

I chose to create this patch because I was spending a lot of time at the climbing gym and not seeing many young girls there. I took many classes and learned how to feel confident climbing using the right techniques. I felt that if I created a program for girl scouts that introduced girls to climbing in a safe and fun way they might feel more successful at this sport.

The purpose for this patch is to get girls engaged with the sport of indoor climbing. Indoor climbing, successfully, can help girls excel in other activities that require balance, upper body strength and lower body strength. It helps girls get physically and mentally stronger as they move from one place to another on the wall.

The cost would be $25.00 per girl. With a minimum size group of 8-10 girls. Above ten girls the cost will be $50.00 because they need to add a second coach. The session will be 90 minutes. The girls will receive a patch at the end of the climbing session. I hope to attend a few of the girl scout sessions, if I am able, to help assist the LCC coaching staff. Contact the information of the flyer to set up the time and date your troop would like to attend at your convenience.”

– Terra Brubaker

Benefits of Indoor Climbing for Kids

Posted on by Aaron

Benefits of Indoor Climbing for Kids – There are more than you might think!

Are you searching for a type of activity for your kids that will help increase their confidence, problem solving skills, and you can even do it as a family?

Indoor rock climbing might just be the thing you’ve been searching for.

First, there are two types of climbing to be aware of.

  1. Rope Climbing: This type of climbing uses a harness and a rope.  The walls are typically higher and you will often need a belay partner to hold the rope while the climber scales the wall.
  2. Bouldering: This type of climbing has no ropes.  The walls are typically lower and the bouldering area is equipped with mats designed to support climbers as they come off the wall.

Climbing is an amazing activity for children that not only builds physical strength and fortitude but helps navigate mental challenges both on and off the wall.

Let’s explore some of the biggest benefits climbing can offer your kids.

1. Climbing builds confidence

No matter if you’re a kid or an adult, nothing boosts confidence and self-esteem quite like climbing. This is especially true if your child is afraid of heights, and battling these fears will provide the skills they need to overcome mental and physical struggles throughout life. Climbing teaches us persistence in the face of adversity.  Who doesn’t need a little more of that?

2. Climbing increases strength and flexibility

Because climbing is a full-body activity, it’s a great way to enhance overall physical fitness. Your child will exercise their core, legs, arms, and even the tiny muscles in their hands that provide some serious grip strength. Endurance is also a big part of climbing, especially as kids progress to longer and more technically difficult routes.

3. Climbing improves hand, foot, and eye coordination

Climbing is a full-body activity that incorporates every major muscle group and appendage. It also requires full body coordination and cross body patterning unlike any other sport. When your child climbs, they learn to evaluate the route and then determine how to move their body and use their hands, feet and core to reach the top.

4. Climbing enhances problem solving skills

Climbing is as much of a mental game as it is a physical feat.

As they climb more they’ll learn how to mentally map out the most efficient ways to navigate the holds. These problem solving and planning skills can easily transfer to everyday life.

5. Bouldering with friends and family.

Bouldering in particular is known to be a very social sport.  Since you can climb solo or in a group it opens the door to many different social styles.  It is wonderful to explore as a family.  Show your kids how physical fitness can be fun with a little family bonding on the side. It might be scary and intimidating at first, but with persistence and practice you’ll all be scaling walls in no time.

Field Trips

Posted on by Aaron

School group outing? Sports team gathering? No matter what the occasion, LCC is the place! With our indoor mezzanine or outdoor patio, we can accommodate your event for every season. We offer over 15,000 square feet of climbing space with climbs to challenge any level of climber from beginner to pro. Each field trip includes the use of LCC for up to 4 hours.

Cost:
$175 for up to 10 climbers (includes shoe rental)
$15 per climber after 10
$50 add-on to work with one of our expert climbing coaches for 1 hour.

* If you are scheduling for youth climbers, there must be a 5:1 adult to climber ratio for the field trip duration.

Contact LCC at [email protected] or call 720-340-3640to schedule your event today!

Birthday Party Ideas During COVID

Posted on by Aaron

How to Celebrate your Child’s Birthday in the time of COVID-19

by: Shauna Hylenski

It can be tough coming up with birthday party ideas these days since many of our favorite places have limitations. But birthdays continue on whether the world is in chaos or not. For our kids, this tradition is one that we should not put off until we get a vaccine.

So, how do we celebrate? How do we mark this important milestone in a way that is relatively safe, yet fun and carefree? Here are a few ideas of how to make your child’s birthday memorable, in a good way.

We have ranked the birthday themes below from 1-3 in the COVID friendly scale.

♦= If you haven’t left your house in 6 months this one isn’t for you

♦♦= Middle of the road

♦♦♦= Best choice for those who need to be cautious

Outdoor Enthusiast

Party in the Park: ♦♦ Open air and lots of space for social distancing. City parks have always been a great option for birthday parties and now more than ever. You can use the city parks without a reservation, but it would be advised to reserve the shelter just in case. Some of our favorite parks in Longmont: Thompson Park, Roosevelt Park and Roger’s Grove.

Backyard camping: ♦♦♦ Pitch a tent in the living room or in the backyard. If you’re indoors, light a few candles and tell stories with flashlights while eating microwaved s’more’s. If the weather is nice and you are outside, build a fire and roast marshmallows. Reminisce about favorite birthday memories and talk about future memories you want to make together as a family.

Budding Artists

Painting Pottery: ♦♦ This can be a wonderful way for a small group of friends to let their creativity flow.  Our favorite place in Longmont is Crackpots.  You can rent one of their party rooms for a larger group or walk-ins are welcome too.  Each person can paint something for the birthday girl or boy as well as something for themselves.

Chalk the Driveway: ♦♦♦ This is a super easy way for neighborhood friends to write birthday wishes and messages all over your driveway and sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. This is a great way for friends and family to share their messages and express their creativity .

Athlete Super Star

Climbing and Ninja Warrior: ♦♦ This is the perfect birthday party for your “little monkey” who can’t get enough climbing and ninja. Small groups of friends and family can climb and traverse the obstacles together all while wearing masks and taking precautions.  Longmont Climbing Collective and Warrior Playground offer parties where your kids can live out their climbing ninja dreams and rent one of their private party rooms for your group.

Trampoline Park: ♦ Let’s get this party Jumpin' Jumpin'. A great spot to burn some serious energy and have a ton of fun on the obstacle courses, dodge ball room and basketball hoops. Keep in mind that masks are not required in all facilities while jumping.

Home Body

Host a Laser Tag Party at Home: ♦♦♦ That’s right: you can rent your own laser tag gear and turn your home into an adventure laser tag course.  Our favorite is the Commando Laser Tag.  This awesome company not only delivers the gear but also helps you set up the course.  Perfect for a birthday party where a little more yard space is available.

Host a Birthday Drive By Parade: ♦♦♦ Ask friends and family to drive by your home waving, honking, blowing bubbles. They can even toss birthday gifts onto the lawn. Coordinate a time with friends and family locally to parade by and celebrate from a safe distance.

Decorations All Over the House: ♦♦♦ Make huge poster board signs (or use cardboard boxes), banners, streamers, balloons, whatever you have on hand that’s festive. Leave everything up for a couple of days to keep the party going.

No matter which birthday theme you choose or whether you are at a climbing gym or a tent in your living room; what is most important is the time.  Spending time with those you love and ensuring they feel special and celebrated.