It’s “Walk on Your Wild Side Day!” Try a New Challenge on the Traverse Wall®

April 12^th is “Walk on Your Wild Side Day” and we thought it could be fun to celebrate this unique holiday by trying some challenging climbing wall activities. Here are two to try with your experienced climbers. Leave us a note in the comments about how it went!

ONE ARM ONE FOOT

Participants climb using only three points of contact by eliminating one arm or one foot.

Grade Level: 4 and up

Grouping: Individual or partners (via partner climbing or spotting)

Materials:

• None

Advance Set Up: None

Activity:

Participants begin climbing, one per panel, mounting the Traverse Wall® using one arm or one foot (along with two other body parts). As they make their way along the wall, they are challenged to continue using only three points of contact. For example, if they choose one arm, they are using both feet to climb.

If grouping as partners, decide if partner climbing or spotting and ensure the partner understands the role. Partners switch roles after the climber’s first traverse.

Variations: 

• To decrease challenge, have climbers use a combination of three and four points of contact and work to increase the distance they can travel using just three points of contact.
• To increase the challenge, have climbers use their non-dominant arm or non-dominant foot.

Teaching Tip: Carefully monitor climbers to ensure they are maintaining control while climbing with the added challenge.

National Standard(s): 1,2,3,4 & 5

Grade-Level Outcomes: 

• Nonlocomotor (S1.E7, S1.E8, S1.E10)
• Movement concepts (S2.E1, S2.E2)
• Engages in physical activity (S3.E2, S3.M3, S3.M4, S3.M5)
• Personal responsibility (S4.E1, S4.E2, S4.M1, S4.M2)
• Working with others (S4.E4, S4.M4, S4.M5), if a partner activity
• Rules & etiquette (S4.E5, S4.M5, S4.M6)
• Safety (S4.E6, S4.M7)
• Challenge (S5.E2, S5.M3)

CLIMBING IN THE NIGHT

Participants climb the Traverse Wall® while blindfolded.

Grade Level: 4 and up

Grouping: Partners

Materials:

• Blindfolds or bandannas, one per partnership

Advance Set Up: None

Activity:

Prior to beginning, review proper spotting technique with participants. Next, divide the group into two-person teams. One person is the blindfolded climber, and the other is the sighted guide. The sighted guide starts the activity by carefully leading the blindfolded climber to the start of the wall. Through a series of verbal instructions (see tips) given by the sighted guide, the blindfolded climber gradually makes his/her way across the Traverse Wall. The sighted guide is responsible for the physical safety of the climber; therefore, it is imperative that accurate information is clearly communicated, and that constant attention is given to the climber. At all times, the sighted partner should remain close to the climber, spotting and making sure that the climber never climbs above the three-foot height limit. When the climber reaches the end of the wall, the guide should help him/her climb down. Partners then switch roles.

Variation: 

• To decrease challenge, have climbers close their eyes (no blindfolds) and give them three strikes, or three opportunities to open their eyes during the activity.

Teaching Tip: In advance of the activity, review some ideas for verbal cues/instructions, for example:

• Suggest what body part should move to help locate a hold:
  • Move your right foot down a little.
  • Move your left arm up and to the right.
• Use directions and distance:
  • There’s a great foot hold about 6 inches to the right of your right hand.
  • There’s a great hand hold about 12 inches above your head.

National Standard(s): 1,2,3,4 & 5

Grade-Level Outcomes: 

• Nonlocomotor (S1.E7, S1.E8, S1.E10)
• Movement concepts (S2.E1, S2.E2)
• Engages in physical activity (S3.E2, S3.M3, S3.M4, S3.M5)
• Personal responsibility (S4.E1, S4.E2, S4.M1, S4.M2)
• Working with others (S4.E4, S4.M4, S4.M5)
• Rules & etiquette (S4.E5, S4.M5, S4.M6)
• Safety (S4.E6, S4.M7)
• Challenge (S5.E2, S5.M3)