Rock Climbing & Social Emotional Learning with Vertical Climbing Walls

Social emotional growth is an inherent outcome of rock-climbing programs. Climbing activities require climbers to be self-aware, persevere, make positive choices, be aware of others and work cooperatively. Because of that, climbing is an ideal area for integrating social emotional learning (SEL). Social emotional learning has gained a lot of traction over the years because research shows that it contributes to improved academic outcomes and behaviors, and even helps improve overall lifetime outcomes. If your school or organization has a Vertical Climbing Wall®, it can help to reach your organization’s SEL goals. Integrating SEL with top rope climbing is as simple as reflecting and debriefing after climbing sessions, either through a discussion or through journaling.

Since roped climbing involves multiple people – climber, belayer and in some cases, back-up belayers and anchors, we offer customized suggestions for each role.

CASEL’s FIVE CORE SEL COMPETENCIES & OUR REFLECTION PROMPTS:

SELF-AWARENESS – Reflect/debrief after the climbing session:

• Climber
• How did you feel before you started climbing? How did you feel while you were climbing? How did you feel after you climbed?
• If your feelings changed, why do you think they did?
• How did you feel about being belayed?
• How did your feelings affect how you did today?
• What did you do well today?
• Something I learned about myself today is…
• Belayer/Back-up Belayer
• How did you feel while you were belaying?
• How did you feel about helping to keep the climber safe?
• Did your feelings ever change?
• If yes, how did they change and why do you think they changed?
• How did your feelings affect how you belayed?
• What did you do well today?
• Something I learned about myself today is…
• Anchor
• How did you feel about your safety role?
• What did you do well today?
• Something I learned about myself today is...

SELF-MANAGEMENT – Reflect/debrief after the climbing session:

• Climber
• What challenges did you overcome today?
• What strategies did you use to overcome any challenges?
• How do you feel about how you climbed/the climbing experience?
• Did you ever feel like quitting? Why?
• What is something you look forward to trying the next time you climb?
• What is one of your climbing goals?
• Belayer/Back-up Belayer
• What challenges did you or your partner(s) overcome today?
• What strategies did you/they use to overcome any challenges?
• How do you feel about how you belayed?
• Was being a belayer ever stressful? Why/Why not?
• Anchor
• What challenges did you or your partner(s) overcome today?
• What strategies did you/they use to overcome any challenges?
• What did you learn by observing the climbers and belayers?

RESPONSIBLE DECISION MAKING – Reflect/debrief after the climbing session:

• Climber
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you made before, during and after climbing?
• How do you feel about your decisions?
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you saw others make?
• What role does responsible decision-making play in rock climbing?
• What could happen if the climber made irresponsible decisions?
• Belayer/Backup Belayer
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you made before, during and after belaying?
• How do you feel about your decisions?
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you saw others make?
• What role does responsible decision-making play in rock climbing?
• What could happen if the belayer made irresponsible decisions?
• Anchor
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you made before, during and after being the anchor?
• How do you feel about your decisions?
• What are some examples of responsible decisions you saw others make?
• What role does responsible decision-making play in rock climbing?
• What could happen if the anchor made irresponsible decisions?

SOCIAL AWARENESS – Reflect/debrief after the climbing session:

• Climber

• How do you think the belayer felt today? Why do you think this?
• How do you think the anchor felt? Why do you think this?
• Who helped you today and what did they do? How do you feel about it?
• Is there anyone you would like to thank today? Who? Why?
• How did you contribute to the group today?
• What is something that someone else did well today?

• Belayer/Backup Belayer

• How do you think the climber felt today? Why do you think this?
• How do you think the anchor felt today? Why do you think this?
• How did you help someone today and what did you do? How do you feel about it?
• How did you contribute to the group today?
• What is something that someone else did well today?

• Anchor

• How do you think the climber felt today? Why do you think this?
• How do you think the belayer felt today? Why do you think this?
• How did you help someone today and what did you do? How do you feel about it?
• How did you contribute to the group today?
• What is something that someone else did well today?

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS – Reflect/debrief after the climbing session:

• Climber
• What are some examples of how you and your partner(s) communicated during this activity?
• Why is teamwork important in this activity?
• Did you ask for help today? If yes, did you get what you needed?
• What was challenging about this activity?

• How did you overcome the challenges?
• How did the challenges make you feel?
• Is there anything about this activity that could be applied to other parts of your life?

• Belayer/Backup Belayer
• What are some examples of how you and your partner(s) communicated during this activity?
• Why is teamwork important in this activity?
• In what ways did you help the climber?
• What was challenging about this activity?

• How did you overcome the challenges?
• How did the challenges make you feel?
• Is there anything about this activity that could be applied to other parts of your life?

• Anchor
• What are some examples of how you and your partner(s) communicated during this activity?
• Why is teamwork important in this activity?
• Describe how you helped the climber and belayer(s) today.
• What role did communication and teamwork play in today’s activity?
• Is there anything about this activity that could be applied to other parts of your life?

Please share in the comments the ways you use your Vertical Climbing Wall to develop social emotional learning in your program.