Please note: This post was written in 2019 and while it should still give you a great overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Please visit their website for the most current information, especially about things like pricing, schedules and the admission/registration process.
2019 Post:
If you’ve read my previous blog posts, you might be led to believe I have a taste for adventure. Hiking with a toddler, kayaking with a preschooler…we are out and about and in the world! But here’s the thing: I am not the adventurous type. Sure, I enjoy the outdoors and I love sharing that enjoyment with my children…but I’m not typically a high-risk kind of person. I am no adrenaline junkie. You can keep your bungee-jumping and sky-diving, I am good with my two feet planted firmly on the ground thankyouverymuch. Some might even say I’m fairly cautious. Anxious, even. They would be correct.
However, when the opportunity arose to try rock climbing at Central Rock Gym in our hometown of Glastonbury, something about it felt right. It felt like the kind of thing I should enjoy, in spite of a lifelong fear of heights. Plus Bug already thinks he’s Spiderman, so why not channel all of that 5-year-old climbing drive and ride the wave of enthusiasm? So my husband, Shane, and I secured a babysitter for Bean (he’s not confident with stairs yet, so rock climbing felt premature), and whisked Bug off for an afternoon of solo Mommy and Daddy time.
Central Rock Gym is located in a large developed area in Glastonbury that includes both industrial and office buildings. It has a big sign that is easily visible from the road and loads of parking (i.e. this place isn’t hard to find and finding a place to park is not a concern).
For the climbing enthusiast, there is lots of gear for sale right in the gym store…
…but for the rest of us, climbing equipment is also available to rent.
Right after the gym store is, of course, the electronic waiver station.
Since Bug, Shane, and I were all first-timers when it came to rock climbing, I had signed us up for a Staff Belay session (recommended for newbies) and was able to complete the waiver ahead of time online, which I would definitely suggest. It’s one less thing you have to do before you can get harnessed up and climbing! (NOTE: Staff Belay sessions are limited to weekends and four climbers per hour-long time slot. However, it’s easy to check availability and get a session scheduled online!)
But let’s back up for a moment. Right now you might be asking, “What on earth is ‘belay’ anyway?!” I’m so glad you asked! Belaying is the fancy word that basically means “holding the climbing ropes and serving as a human anchor so that the person dangling above your head doesn’t come crashing to the floor if they slip.”
You need to be trained in order to belay because it’s a crucial part of being safe while you climb. Central Rock offers classes in belaying for anyone that would like to pick up rock climbing as an ongoing hobby (memberships are available), but Staff Belay is perfect for a family like ours that is just trying it out for the first time.
Shane and I did opt to climb too, but you don’t have to. In fact, since there were only three of us climbing that day and the Staff Belay groups aren’t private, the forth person that climbed during the time slot we were there was a young girl about Bug’s age. She was there with her dad and he watched as she climbed.
Within our hour-long climbing session we each got to try about a half dozen climbing routes, each one slightly more challenging than the last. The staff member that assisted us was incredibly helpful and offered lots of tips and encouragement. He worked very well with kids and you could tell that, even though the gym has a lot of features geared toward adults, they are very used to accommodating young climbers.
There are A LOT of rules to abide by, and for good reason. There are abundant measures in place to ensure climbers are in for a safe and enjoyable experience, but all of that is moot if you don’t follow the rules.
The pictures aren’t really all that legible, but you get the idea. And honestly, most of the parameters put in place are entirely common sense. Just listen to the knowledgeable staff on hand and you’ll be just fine.
We had a blast. And most importantly, we experienced something exciting and meaningful together. Bug pushed himself farther than he thought he could (and succeeded!) and saw his dad and me do the same. Truth be told, it was an incredibly touching, validating experience. We all left feeling strong and empowered.
I’d recommend this outing to both the adventurous AND cautious types out there. You just may surprise yourself…and your kids…in the best way possible 😉
259 Eastern Blvd, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Phone: 860-659-8260
Email: glastonbury@centralrockgym.com
Hours (2019):
Mon-Fri: 12 pm-10 pm; Sat & Sun: 9 am-9 pm
MEMBERS ONLY HOURS
Mon-Fri: 9 am-12 pm
Pricing (2019):
Staff Belay, like we did, is $30 per person for an hour long session. However, there are loads of other options available, including day passes and memberships. Check out the Central Rock website for more information.
Details:
Stroller Friendly: NO (to be clear, you could get into the building with a stroller…but I think it’s fairly clear this isn’t a particularly stroller-friendly activity…right?)
Coffee Mug Friendly: NO
Restroom: YES
Baby Changing Station: NO
Parking: YES
Food for Sale: YES
Outside Food Allowed: YES (in designated areas)
Cash Required: NO
Dress Code: Dress comfortably in clothing that allows you full range of motion (their website also suggests nothing too baggy or that needs a belt). Also, be sure to bring socks to wear with the rental climbing shoes.
Age Recommendation: When I asked one staff member what their lower age limit is, they replied that “If they can climb, they can come.” So there you have it!
Evening/Weekend Hours: YES
Birthday Party Venue: YES. Find more information HERE.
Discounts: Day passes and memberships are available at a discounted rate for climbers ages 22 and under, 65 and over, and active military/veteran with valid ID.
You can also check out their great list of FAQs for more information!
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