---
title: "Benefits of Rock Climbing for Teens: Rock Climbing Summer Camp"
description: Rock climbing is more than just a physical training. Goal setting, problem solving, and creativity are some other benefits Teens can get from Rock climbing
---

[Stone Mountain Adventures: Summer Camps for Teens ](https://www.sma-summers.com/juds-blog)

# [Benefits of Rock Climbing for Teens: Rock Climbing Summer Camp](https://www.sma-summers.com/juds-blog/benefits-of-rock-climbing-summer-camp)

 Written by [Kyle Stapp](https://www.sma-summers.com/juds-blog/author/kyle-stapp) | Wed, Mar 1, 2017

Why Rock Climbing is Healthy for Teenagers

Our teenage years are a part of the foundation that shapes the rest of our lives. The influences and experiences we have during our teenage years matter, and therefore, when we have choices; the choices we make matter. Rock climbing and all it involves, is a total teenage developmental package that can set teenagers up for success in many aspects of their life.

 

Therefore, rock climbing is an incredibly healthy choice, offering a little bit of everything in one experience; maximizing what you get both monetarily and experientially (total value = maximized). Rock climbing and the [Stone Mountain Adventure’s rock climbing summer camp program](https://www.sma-summers.com/rock-climbing) is healthy for teenagers for the following reasons (not exhaustive):

### Positive self-esteem and self-concept

- Goal setting (and achieving)
- Decision making (positive, sustainable judgement)
- Responsibility
- Trust
- Commitment
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Improvisation

### Inter-hemispheric integration (incredibly important!)

Rock climbing often requires contra-lateral movement, which induces inter-hemispheric integration, which engages the corpus collosum and means both hemispheres of your brain are freely communicating. This state often acts as a “reset” for our minds and allows us to maximize our overall potential.

### Vestibular System development (balance)

### Tactile System development (sensory)

### Proprioception development (body awareness)

### Fine and gross motor skills development

### Inter-personal relationship development

- Verbal and non-verbal communication development
- Team work/building skills
- Direct communication  
    - Comfortable and uncomfortable feedback

### Intra-personal relationship development

- “Optimum performance” state aka the “flow state” or “flow”
- Self-regulation  
    - Modifications of the levels and impact of fear
    - Stress management
    - Time management
- Mindfulness
- Self-awareness/actualization
- Locus of control

### Physical exercise

- Endorphin release (feels good, relieves stress)
- Muscular toning/growth
- Joint and bone strengthening
- Promotes weight loss

### Natural health benefits of being in nature (outdoor rock climbing!)

- Just being out in nature, rock climbing or not, has proven to: 
    - Promote weight loss
    - Reduce arthritic pain
    - Lower blood pressure
    - Lower the risk of diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease
    - Reduce stress, anxiety, rumination and depression
    - Calm the mind
    - Improve confidence and self-esteem

### Rock climbing and backcountry living hard skill acquirement (just a few examples…)

- Belaying
- Knots
- Rappelling
- Camp fire building

 

As you can see rock climbing is a multi-tasking, developmental, one-stop “shop” that is possibly one of the healthiest activities, sports, experiences, lifestyles that a teenager can partake in or have, ever. Regardless, if your kid is a seasoned climbing veteran, or has never even touched real rock before, Stone Mountain Adventure’s offer’s outdoor rock climbing experiences for any teen at any level. Come share a rope with us and learn some awesome rock climbing skills at Stone Mountain Adventures!

 

Written by –

 

*Kyle Stapp*

*Head Rock Climbing Guide*

*AMGA SPI*

*Awakening Adventures PA*

 

References:

 

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation. Health Benefits of PA State Parks and Forests. Retrieved from: [https://paparksandforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Health_Benefits.pdf](https://paparksandforests.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Health_Benefits.pdf) 

 

Schoel, J., Prouty, D., Radcliffe, P. 1988. Islands of Healing: A Guide to Adventure Based Counseling. Project Adventure.

 

Kiley, Christie. 2015. Therapeutic Benefits of Rock Climbing. Retrieved from: [http://mamaot.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-rock-climbing/](http://mamaot.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-rock-climbing/) 

 

 

[View full post](https://www.sma-summers.com/juds-blog/benefits-of-rock-climbing-summer-camp)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Kyle Stapp"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2024-04-09T23:31:35.057Z",
  "datePublished" : "2017-03-01T16:18:11Z",
  "headline" : "Benefits of Rock Climbing for Teens: Rock Climbing Summer Camp",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 332,
    "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/158966/climbing-summer-camp-.jpg",
    "width" : 660
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.sma-summers.com/juds-blog/benefits-of-rock-climbing-summer-camp",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Director Jud's Blog"
  }
}
```