By Shay Moser
While climbing draws families to Gecko Climbing Gym, children attending its summer youth camp will also get to do yoga, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, and more to stay active while school is out of session. With full and half-day options, Gecko Climbing Gym tailors activities to various interests for campers ages 4 to 15 (separated by age groups).
“We don’t watch movies,” says gym owner Chris Tansey. “Many parents appreciate that because their kids are active the whole time they’re here.”
Opened in April 2021, Gecko Climbing Gym offers local climbers of all abilities — from beginners to experts — a chance to scale to new heights in its 11,440-square-foot facility. The amenities the gym offers include:
• 15-foot bouldering walls
• 30-foot roped walls
• 10 autobelays
• 12-foot Kilterboard
• 12-foot treadwall
• Basketball court and 9-square court in the back
• Ninja grip course
• A kid’s climbing wall with a 6-foot spiral slide
• Mat yoga, aerial yoga, and traditional fitness equipment
• A gear shop and snack bar
• Fully air-conditioned facility for staying cool all summer long
• Social spaces for events
With 30 to 40 kids a day attending summer camp, Tansey says they have a one-to-five ratio of coaches to kids.
“We keep good ratios because of the climbing safety element to it,” he explains.
All youth coaches and instructors are trained professionals following standardized rope and safety systems of the Climbing Wall Association. They also receive background checks through S2Verify and are SafeSport trained, an independent nonprofit committed to preventing and addressing abuse.
“The days go by quickly for the coaches,” says Tansey. “Their schedule is full, leading the kids from one activity to the next.” He says each group of kids has the same coach each day.
“Some of the kids who get dropped off for a half day want to stay longer,” Tansey says. “We have many kids upgrade to a full day because they don’t want to go home.”
“The coaches make the experience for the kids,” says Tansey. “When kids get picked up, they want to introduce their coach to their parents or get a picture with their coach before they go. It’s sweet how they build these cool little relationships with the coaches all day.”
Summer Camp Dates and Times
Summer camp runs for 10 weeks, Monday to Friday, beginning May 22 through July 28. They offer full day(s) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., morning half day(s) from 8 a.m. to noon, or afternoon half day(s) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gym is closed on July 4. Aftercare until 5 p.m. is available upon request for an additional $10 an hour.
Summer camp prices
• Full day = $85
• Three full days = $240 ($80 a day)
• Five full days = $375 ($75 a day)
• 1 half-day = $55
• Three half-days = $150 ($50 a day)
• Five half-days = $225 ($45 a day)
Summer Camp Discounts
Members of Gecko Climbing Gym receive a 10% discount on camp prices. There’s also 10% off each sibling and 15% off each sibling for signing up three or more kids.
Summer Camp Food and Beverages
Kids get snacks and drinks, and lunch is offered from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Kids can bring a packed lunch, or Gecko Climbing Gym offers lunch for $7 a day.
Register for Gecko Climbing Gym Summer Camp
Summer camp is on a first-come, first-served basis, accepting 30 to 40 kids a day, so parents who want to register their children shouldn’t wait. Email [email protected] with the preferred dates; alternative dates; choice of full day(s), morning half day(s), or afternoon half day(s); option to bring or buy lunch; and any dietary restrictions or medical conditions.
First-time visitors must create an account through the Gecko Climbing Gym customer portal, completing a parent profile first before adding their children and signing the waiver on their behalf. To create an account, visit the website at gecko.portal.approach.app.
Gecko Climbing Gym is at 24400 N. 19th Avenue, Suite 115, in Phoenix. Visit geckoclimbinggym.com to learn more about their summer camp and what the gym offers to the North Phoenix community.
This content is sponsored by Gecko Climbing Gym.
