Rock climbing class provides strategic skills for kids

Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center held its first Rock Stars Climbing Club class Monday for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

“Rock climbing builds confidence,” Program Director Nichole Rinehart said. “It helps them learn strategy.”

After learning the basic, kids go through a series of challenges. “First we take away one of the colors, and they can only use the other two for hand and foot-holds,” Rinehart said. “Then we take away another one.”

The green knobs are the easiest, followed by yellow. The red handholds are smaller and provide the most difficult pathway.

“Climbing improves hand, foot, and eye coordination. Climbing is a full-body activity that incorporates every major muscle group and appendage,” Rinehart said. “It also requires careful coordination — your child will need to look at the route and then determine how to get their hands and feet onto the correct holds.”

Though climbing increases physical agility, Rinehart said it is more about the mental puzzle than the physical improvements.

The class will continue the next four Mondays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. with a cost of $30.