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.
Workshop Calendar
Register for workshops online at the link below each description (Fall Links Coming Soon), at the Adventure Connection during open hours or at the Bob and Julie Dobski Welcome Center of the Student Fitness Center. Custom workshops can be scheduled by calling (309) 438-8417 or emailing Adventure@illinoisState.edu. The registration deadline is noon the day of the workshop.
Belay Workshop #1-August 27
Belay Workshop #2-September 1
Intro to Climbing Workshop-September 6
Belay Workshop #3-September 13
Lead Climbing Worksho-September 16
From Gym to Crag Workshop-Starts September 22
Belay Workshop #4-September 26
Belay Workshop #5-October 9
Adaptive Climbing-October 19
Belay Workshops
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.
The cost of a belay workshop is $5 unless otherwise noted.
Fall Semester Dates
Registration begins August 21, 2017.
- Sunday, August 27, 3 - 5 p.m. (FREE WORKSHOP)
- Friday, September 1, 5 - 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 13, 3 - 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 26, 6 - 8 p.m.
- Monday, October 9, 2 - 4 p.m.
Introduction to Climbing Workshop
September 6, 8 - 10 p.m.
Register by September 6, $10 for students/members
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.
Lead Climbing Workshop
September 16, noon - 4 p.m.
Register by September 16, $15 for students/members
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. Upon completion of this workshop, participants may take a Lead Assessment to lead climb during open lead hours on Saturdays this fall.
From Gym to Crag Climbing Workshop & Trip
September 22 and September 29, 5-7 p.m. & October 6-7 (trip)
Register by September 21, $40 for students/members, $50 for faculty/staff nonmembers
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 builds skills in the climbing gym over two sessions and then takes participants out to climb real outdoor rock crags.
The outdoor trip will take place at Pere Marquette State Park, a great site on the banks of the Illinois River and the closest outdoor climbing in central Illinois. We will depart no later than 5 p.m. on October 6, drive to the park, and tent camp for the night. We will spend all day Saturday climbing on the limestone bluffs, then head back to campus, returning by 9 p.m. Climbing equipment, camping equipment, leadership, instruction, and food while at the park is included.
Adaptive Climbing
October 19, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
FREE
The Adaptive Climbing event is held to 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 amorrea@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.