Age-Appropriate Climbing and Rappelling Guidelines

CUB SCOUTS

• Bouldering no higher than the climber's height, with trained adult spotters. (This pertains to climbing on boulders or other steep faces without going more than a few feet off the ground, protected by spotters rather than a rope belay.)
• Climbing in a climbing gym or using a portable wall or other age-appropriate facility with close supervision and age-appropriate instruction and equipment.
• Climbers will be lowered by a belayer, no rappelling by Cub Scouts.
• No belaying by Cub Scouts.

WEBELOS SCOUTS

• Bouldering no higher than the climber's height, with trained adult spotters.
• Climbing in a climbing gym or using a portable wall or other age-appropriate facility with close supervision and age-appropriate instruction and equipment.
• Rappelling with a trained adult belayer.
• No belaying by Webelos Scouts.

SCOUTS AGES 11 TO 12

• Bouldering no higher than the climber's height, with trained spotters.
• Top-rope climbing with trained belayers.
• Rappelling with trained belayers.
• Belaying with supervision and a backup.

OLDER SCOUTS AND VENTURERS

• Bouldering no higher than the climber's height, with trained spotters
• Top-rope climbing with trained belayers.
• Belaying with supervision.
• Rappelling with trained belayers.
• All council and district climbing must be top-roped.
• Practice lead climbing with a top-rope belay.

Units with youth over 13 years of age may elect to participate in lead climbing and/or snow and ice climbing with training from a nationally recognized organization that trains climbing instructors. BSA climbing directors and instructors are not trained in lead climbing or snow and ice climbing.

Remember the importance of protecting youth and adults during climbing/rappelling activities. Make an individual commitment to the principles of Climb On Safely. Thank You the volunteer leader for giving youth the opportunity to experience the challenges of climbing.