Climbing

Michael and Nate decided that as their sport this fall, they would try rock climbing. There is a rock climbing gym that is fairly close to our house and they have programs for kids.  Nate was able to get into a class where there were teachers willing to help you learn skills and they would regularly spend time belaying you on ropes.  They didn't have any availability in the class for Michael's age, so he just got a pass to come climb at the same time as Nate.  Michael immediately took to it- quickly scaling the walls and getting to the top very quickly.

 Over time, he became bored with climbing.  I don't know how to belay, and since he wasn't in a class he could only use the autobelay courses, so it wasn't as exciting.  He still did really well, getting to the top quickly and efficiently.

 Nate was a little unsure at first.  He was scared to go to the top.  After a few weeks, however, he became amazing.  He would easily scale walls and jump between holds.  He is just a little guy compared to many of the climbers that frequent the gym, but he would do difficult courses and easily make it to the top.

 Sadly, he too got bored with climbing, although he regularly got belayed by his instructors.

They did both get valuable experience and overcome any fears they had of heights as it relates to climbing.  They could easily go in whenever they want to a climbing facility and know how to climb the different features with ease.