Indoor Climbing

The Adventure program provides a wealth of indoor top rope climbing opportunities at the Student Fitness Center, with times available for open climbing and assisted climbing through staff belays. The opening of the Student Fitness Center in January of 2011 reaffirmed this by providing quality indoor rock climbing experiences and instruction to the ISU community with the 47 foot climbing wall in the center of the main lobby.  The addition of the bouldering cave in February of 2014 added even more opportunities to climb.

Participants interested in belaying at the climbing wall must first pass a Belay Skills Assessment which may be administered any time during open climbing hours as staffing allows. Assessments must be renewed each academic year. For more information view our climbing area policies.

Adaptive Climbing

The Adaptive Climbing event is April 3 at 5 p.m. and will provide rock climbing opportunities to individuals of all levels of ability. NO experience necessary! Climbing wall staff will be on hand to provide assistance, along with all personal and adaptive equipment, side climbers and instruction.

Unsure of what sort of accommodations you may need? Please email riverse@illinoisstate.edu with any questions about the event, or to request specific accommodations. Accommodations such as sign language interpreters or FM Systems may also be available upon request. Crates for service animals and ADA locker rooms are available near the Climbing Wall area. This is a FREE event for all Illinois State students and SFC members.  .

Spring 2019

Rock 101 - Belay Workshop

• Learning to belay is an important part of the climbing experience at the SFC Climbing Wall or outside on a natural cliff face. These workshops teach participants about equipment, knots, climbing skills, belay technique, catching falls, and lowering climbers, with plenty of practice. Participants who have completed a workshop must then complete a free Belay Skills Assessment to belay independently at the climbing wall.
• Cost: $5

• Dates: January 30 5-7p.m., February 11 4-6p.m., March 5 6-8p.m., April 2 5-7p.m.

• FREE WORKSHOP January 27 3-5p.m.

Rock 102 - Introduction to Climbing Skills

• Learn the fundamentals of climbing and build a solid foundation for entering the sport of indoor rock climbing. Never tried rock climbing, and don’t know where to start? In this workshop instructors work with participants to grow at their own pace. They will cover rope management, knots, equipment, climbing technique and skills, and ISU Climbing Wall Policies and Procedures. This workshop is an opportunity to try the sport of climbing with the guidance and supervision of our Climbing Wall Supervisors. Belay instruction is not part of this time; attend a Belay Workshop to learn this skill.
• Cost: Free
• Dates: February 4 5-7p.m.

Rock 201 - Gym to Outdoor

• Interested in climbing outdoors, but don't know where to start? Participate in this workshop to build your technical climbing skills over three weeks. Designed for the new or nervous climber, this workshop is offered as a supplement to a scheduled upcoming climbing trip in order to prepare you for the experience. Sessions will meet once a week prior to the trip to cover various outdoor climbing topics, along with belay instruction to help you acquire your green card in time for the climbing trip.
• Cost: Included in Trip Registration
• Dates: April 2 5-7p.m., April 8 5-7p.m.

Rock 301 - Lead Climbing Workshop

• Lead Climb Workshops are 4-hour classes that teach the basics of lead or sport climbing in our indoor facility where bolts and anchors are fixed to the wall. We teach the basics of climbing and belaying on lead, including: Clipping into anchors, falling and catching falls, giving and taking slack. We then spend time during the workshop practicing those skills with an instructor.
• Cost: $15
• Dates: February 2 12-4p.m., March 2 12-4p.m., March 30 12-4p.m.

Custom Workshops

• Interested in any of the instructional programs that we offer but cannot make the scheduled date? Custom workshops can be scheduled by calling (309) 438-8417 or emailing Adventure@illinoisState.edu. Minimum number of participants and cost per person is dependent on the type of workshop requested.
• If you do not have a group to create a custom workshop with and cannot attend any of the scheduled workshops this semester, contact us to stay up-to-date on future programs that are being offered!