Game: Color Elimination

Concept

Students attempt to climb routes without using certain holds.

Teams

Two students per team

How The Game is Played

At the beginning of this activity, students choose a hold color or tape color on a part of the wall that will not be used.

Instruct climbers to choose a color that they will attempt.

Their goal is to stay on a route by using only the pre-chosen colors as foot and hand holds.

Climbers are eliminated from the climb when they touch a color that is out, or if they step off the wall at any time.

Variation: Designate specific footholds to be used with tape or colored holds. Then the hands may use any available holds. The reverse (hands on designated holds and the feet are free to use anything) is another version of the game.

Materials

Masking or colored tape (optional)

Benefits

Individual skills: Visual acuity, lateral movement, spatial perception, coordination, muscular strength, emotional control (fear), commitment (calculated risks), footwork, taking responsibility for safety, problem solving, observation, analysis and method, self-confidence, concentration and creativity. Team skills: Keeping an eye on one’s teammate, acting as advisor, providing motivation, offering encouragement and having confidence in the other person.

Game: Climbing Wall Scrabble

This game is an excellent and fun way for students to problem solve and gain strength while climbing on the traverse wall.

Students climb to find the letters to words they pick out of a box. Students climb to each letter to complete the word without falling off the climbing wall.

Team

One or two students per teams

How the Game is Played

Option 1: Students take a word (or number) from the teacher and climb to each letter to make the word.
Option 2: The partner holds the climber’s word (or number) while he or she is climbing. Cues the climber about what letter is and where it is located on the traverse wall. The student holds the letter or number when the climber takes it off the climbing wall.

Objective

Students climb to each letter to complete the word without falling off the traverse climbing wall. Or climb to the numbers that equal the number given to the climber.

Materials

Tag board letters
Words on paper
Small box
Two-sided tape (optional)

Scrabble Promotes

Individual skills: Visual acuity, footwork, problem solving, observation, concentration and creativity. Team skills: Keeping an eye on one’s teammate, acting as advisor, providing motivation, offering encouragement and having confidence in the other person.

Game: Partner Climb

Objective

Climber mirrors the action of their partner on the climbing wall (without falling off).

Teams

Two students per team

How The Game is Played

Students communicate and coordinate their climbing movements.
The follower is positioned at least one arms length away from the leader.
The follower mirrors the action of their leader.

How To Organize The Class

Divide your class into two-person teams. One member is the leader and the other is the follower. A tether (yarn or string) is between the two climbers with each end tucked into the climbers’ waistband.

Partner Climb Promotes

Individual skills: Visual acuity, lateral movement, spatial perception, coordination, muscular strength, emotional control (fear), commitment (calculated risks), footwork, taking responsibility for safety, problem solving, observation, analysis and method, self-confidence, concentration and creativity; Team skills: Keeping an eye on one’s teammate, providing motivation, offering encouragement and having confidence in the other person; communicating directions to their partner.