Youth Climbing Improves Physical & Mental Health

Professional climber Hazel Findlay says, “Many people find that goals and ambition aid their mental health because it gives them direction.” She added, “Climbing is a very sociable sport because it’s difficult to do it alone. The problem-solving nature of Climbing encourages interactions with others, even if you’re bouldering.” Hazel’s remarks are backed up by studies and observations from credible organizations.

In a 2018 study conducted in Germany, research concluded that bouldering is effective at decreasing symptoms of depression. This important research supports the importance of teaching children skills that will help build healthy lifelong habits. Even Health insurance companies, like Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Health Plans, are on board. They state that, “Rock climbing is an awesome activity for kids,” one that “builds confidence, improves hand, foot and eye coordination, and is downright fun!”

Several years ago, a high-school in Naperville, Illinois found correlations between better school performance and participating in a Learning Readiness Physical Education (LRPE) class that included rock climbing, dance, weight-lifting and other activities. The schools “data consistently show that since the inception of the program, students who participated in LRPE increased their literacy and math capabilities.”