NONE OF THESE DOCUMENTS CONFER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR PERMISSION TO USE ALAMO AREA COUNCIL FACILITIES. COMPLETE PROPER TRAINING AND PROTOCOLS BEFORE CLIMBING. IF YOU FIND OUTDATED MATERIALS, BAD LINKS, OR A SAFETY CONCERN PLEASE BRING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.
These are files typically used by Alamo Area Council (AAC) Climbing Instructors during training, outings, and for reference. They are posted here for easy access by climbing instructors and students.
National Scouting.org COPE & Climbing Website
National Camp School Website – Click and download their brochure for latest Climbing Director level training. Camps held at Philmont and around the country. To attend you must be in good physical health, and successfully completed the local council’s Climbing Level I Instructor training.
Age Appropriate Guidelines – This helpful chart in the Guide to Safe Scouting includes climbing, rappelling, and COPE.
Basic Climbing Attire – A basic list of clothing and how to properly fit gear and then brief scouts. Best used prior to any event so scouts can participate.
Belay On, COPE & Climbing – All 263 pages of the Scouting reference manual for COPE & Climbing. Link to the National BSA file store.
Bear Creek Topographic and Facilities Map – A basic map of campsites and topography. Climbing areas are not marked.
Cave Safely, Cave Softly – Requirements for Unit caving. Caving shares some equipment with climbing. Vertical Caving is an entirely different skill set than climbing. Do not attempt vertical caving without finding experienced people to help you. Link to the National BSA file store.
Canyoneering Safely – Requirements for Unit caving. Canyoneering shares some equipment with climbing. Canyoneering is a different skill set than climbing. Do not attempt Canyoneering without finding experienced people to help you. Link to the National BSA file store.
CHECK – CHECK acronym explained. National office file store.
Climb On Safely National.pdf – The guidelines that dictate unit level activities. Link to the National BSA file store. If you need a pdf copy to print scroll to the bottom of the page.
Climbing Merit Badge Requirements.pdf – National filestore link to merit badge requirements.
Enchanted Rock Climbing Release Form.pdf – Texas Parks & Wildlife release form. The ranger office wants this filled out for climbing outings, so it’s best to fill it out beforehand at your troop.
Hold Harmless & Medical ADULT Form 2019-9 – Here is a combination Hold Harmless and short medical form for Adults. This was not written by or approved by council lawyers. It is NOT a replacement for standard BSA medical forms. It is NOT a replacement general permission slip that a unit may or may not use. It may be used as a climbing permission slip, and climbing instructors may require it prior to allowing participation. It is meant to give parents a medium to: communicate with instructors pertinent medical conditions; emergency contact info; the parent’s or guardian’s understanding that climbing involves risk; and to hold harmless those people organizing and running the event.
Hold Harmless & Medical YOUTH Form 2019-9 – Here is a combination Hold Harmless and short medical form for Youth. This was not written by or approved by council lawyers. It is NOT a replacement for standard BSA medical forms. It is NOT a replacement general permission slip that a unit may or may not use. It may be used as a climbing permission slip, and climbing instructors may require it prior to allowing participation. It is meant to give parents a medium to: communicate with instructors pertinent medical conditions; emergency contact info; the parent’s or guardian’s understanding that climbing involves risk; and to hold harmless those people organizing and running the event.
McGimsey Tower Emergency Plan 2019-3 – A general emergency checklist and plan to prompt discussion, help prevent, and define some roles/tasks between Staff and Unit Leaders BEFORE an emergency. THIS PIECE OF PAPER WILL NOT SOLVE YOUR EMERGENCY! You, other instructors, and unit adults working together will solve it. Discuss the general plan beforehand.
McGimsey Tower Gerbil Wheel Exp Checklist 2018-5 – TRAINING AID ONLY – This is for use during Tower training day one.
McGimsey Tower Setup Checklist 2019-3 – TRAINING AID ONLY – This is for use during Tower training day two.
McGimsey Tower Participant Safety Brief 2019-7 – General points for climbing instructors to go over with participants prior to the start of activities. This does not covering everything. It hits the main points for you as an instructor to tell participants.
