Updated March 15, 2007

Climbing Training Session #1, February 27, 2007

The first think all Scouts must learn before they climb is safety. After review the basic rules of safety, Scouts start by learning a basic set of climbing knots needed to keep them safe.	Experienced climbing instructors who have completed the BSA climbing safety training work with Scouts to master the doubled figure 8 knot, and tie a proper fisherman’s knot as a back up. Each Scout must be able to tie the know properly, as well as inspect the knots of their climbing partners.	Once Scouts have mastered the basic knots, they are taught the correct way to wear a climbing harness. Each Scout must put the harness on correctly, make all proper adjustments, and assure that each buckle is doubled back properly. By the end of the night they understand the importance of friction in keeping them safe.
Finally, they learn how to attach the rope and harness together in the proper manner, distributing the weight between two contact points on the harness.	The final less for the first night is care of the equipment, how to coil, carry, and properly store the harness and ropes.

Climbing Training Session #2, March 13, 2007

While climbing, Scouts are expected to use a standard set of commands to communicate between the climber and belayer. The boys practiced these in pairs until everyone had them correct.	A review was held of proper fastening and inspection of harnesses and ropes. Everyone had to demonstrate the ability to tie in correctly.	Scouts age 14 and above will take the belay test, and practiced their commands and technique. This test allows them to belay other climbers, and must be completed with 100% accuracy the first time they take it.