Free Indoor Rock Climbing and Bouldering Classes!
SFCASA has partnered with Touchstone Climbing to offer free rock climbing and bouldering classes to CASAs and youth!
Touchstone Climbing is an indoor rock climbing gym company with numerous locations throughout California, including Oakland, Berkeley, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles.
Day Use:
Advocates may bring in their appointed youth for free to use any Touchstone Climbing gym. Advocates do not need to pay for a day pass or rental gear if they are there to support their youth. Day passes and rental gear will be required if an advocate comes in to use the gym on their own time.
Memberships:
Advocates who are members of Touchstone (or become members of Touchstone) may add their appointed youth to their membership for free.
Free Intro to Climbing Class:
In this one-hour class, you will learn the basic skills needed to start rope climbing: how to secure your harness, tie a figure 8 follow-through knot and complete your safety checks. You will also learn how to belay using an ATC belay device, catch a fall and lower your climber back to the ground. These classes are offered daily at specific times. Reservations made in advance online or over the phone are recommended. Be sure to show up at least 15 minutes before the class starts.
- This class is offered at select Touchstone locations which offer rope climbing walls.
- If an advocate or youth (14 and older) doesn’t know how to belay, this class is required in order to top-rope climb.
- Youth 13 and under may sit with you in class as you learn and then after class, you may climb together.
Free Intro to Bouldering Class:
In this class, you will get a great overview of safety practices, the layout of the gym, bouldering etiquette, and basic technique! Be sure to show up at least 15 minutes before the class starts. These classes are offered daily at specific times. Reservations made in advance online or over the phone are recommended. Be sure to show up at least 15 minutes before the class starts. The class is usually 30 minutes long but it can sometimes run longer.
- This class is offered at bouldering only gyms and/or at select rope climbing locations.
- If an advocate or youth doesn’t know how to boulder, this class is encouraged.
Before your First Visit:
Contact our Program Assistant for a pass that you can redeem at any Touchstone location. This pass can be used for a day pass or for adding your CASA youth to your Touchstone membership.
Before your visit, please complete the online waiver for yourself and your CASA youth. All youth must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.