Kids Rock Climbing Camp

Kids Rock Climbing Camp includes climbing on the Tahoe Via Ferrata in Olympic Valley and climbing on Donner Summit, along with rappelling school and knot tying and rope skills. Campers take part in map and compass scavenger hunts and other map and compass activities, educational and history hikes in Shirley Canyon and on Donner Summit, nature hikes, plant identification, and arts and crafts such as flower presses, painting in nature, and weaving a rug out of old climbing ropes. The camp also includes dips in the creek to cool off.

• Ages: 7–14 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm, in 5-day sessions
• Price: $900 per climber for the 5-day camp; single-day drop-ins on Mondays and Tuesdays for $300 per day

Kids Rock Climbing Camp is a 5-Day Kids Rock Climbing Camp with introductory 5-day sessions running 8 hours a day, with sessions scheduled for 6/15/2026–6/19/2026, 6/29/2026–7/03/2026, 7/13/2026–7/17/2026, and 7/27/2026–7/31/2026. New climbers learn fundamentals of rope management, belaying, and climbing technique, while experienced climbers explore more difficult routes, advanced rope systems, and leading techniques. Rental helmets, harnesses, and rock shoes are available for no additional charge.

All rock guides are AMGA-certified and medically trained as Wilderness First Responders at a minimum, and all rock climbing trips are led by AMGA-certified Single Pitch Instructors, certified rock instructors, or certified rock guides. Every Alpenglow program is supervised by an internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, and Alpenglow Expeditions is accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association as an AMGA-accredited business with industry-leading technical standards, strong programs, and a quality staff of engaged instructors and guides. Alpenglow Expeditions was founded in 2004 by IFMGA-certified guide Adrian Ballinger and is led by a team that includes Adrian Ballinger (Founder, AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide), Logan Talbott (Chief Guide, AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide), Aaron “ACO” Ollivier, Sean Kristl, Jake Johnson, Dr. Monica Piris, Griffin Mims, Tony Peterson, and Robert Kyte.

Alpenglow Expeditions describes itself as a Tahoe-based guide service with an international reputation, an international guide service, a leading provider of mountain education, and a global community of adventure seekers, and states that every program is part of its mission to provide high standards of education for mountain travel along with quality instruction, safety, and comfort. Alpenglow Expeditions operates under special use permits with the Tahoe, Eldorado, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyabe, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests and is an equal opportunity provider. The organization states that it recognizes the importance of keeping its playground safe and sacred through consistent effort, beneficial partnerships, and a commitment to acknowledge and deconstruct barriers that impede members of the BIPOC community from accessing outdoor spaces and to promote participation in a future in which outdoor spaces are places of inclusion, safety, and mutual stoke for the outdoors.

For Kids Rock Climbing Camp, families are told that kids need a climbing harness, helmet, and climbing shoes (available free of charge on request), outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather, close-toed shoes for hiking and the Via Ferrata, lunch, snacks, and at least one liter of water, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and optional lightweight long-sleeve clothing), swimwear and a towel for creek dips, a backpack, a lightweight wicking top and climbing shorts or pants, a windbreaker or raincoat, and optional bug spray. Families are also instructed that if a child is under 3'11" and/or lighter than 88 pounds, they should contact the Alpenglow Expeditions office after booking.

Last updated March 12, 2026.