First Ascent specializes in scout programs (boy and girl) especially for rock climbing merit badge instruction. Our guides are specifically trained to run the kids through the merit badge requirements. We have been taking scouts climbing since 1994. We exceed the standards set forth in the "Climb On Safely" program.
We charge $350 for each guide. We recommend a 4 to 1 climber to guide ratio (not going for merit badges). We can push it to 5 to 1, but the experience is compromised because there are more people on the ground than climbing. For example, a troop of 12 should have 3 guides for a total of $1,050 for the day. That adds up to a total of $87.50 per person.
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If your troop has budget constraints, we recommend that you divide them into two groups, one group climbing in the morning while the other goes hiking and vice-versa in the afternoon. That way if, for example, you have the group of 12, there would be only 6 people climbing at once and you would need only two guides for a total of $700 for the day, or about $59.00 per person.
If the troop is going for their merit badges, you may want to keep the ratio small, ideally 3 to 1, because of the time that is consumed fulfilling the requirements. |
Dear First Ascent,
I cannot thank you enough for bailing me out last month when you agreed at a moments notice to guide my troop at Smith Rock when that other guide service cancelled us at the last minute. You turned an absolute disaster into an unbelievably great experience.
Your emphasis on respect for the environment and proper climbing technique, as well as your fanatical attention to safety, was the perfect combination for this group. We all learned a great deal and everyone had a super time.
Next year, with lots of advance notice, we hope to again use your services.
Thanks again John. It was great.
Warmest regards
Bert Tavelli
Scoutmaster, Troop 1
This letter was written in 1998 and Troop 1 of Portland has been climbing with us every year since! |
Dear First Ascent,
You provided rock climbing training for a group of boys and adults from our scout troop last month. I want to let you know how pleased we were with your two instructors. They were not just good, they were EXCELLENT. Knowledgeable, patient, unflappable, friendly, encouraging and personable. Those are not qualities that are easy to maintain throughout an entire day of teaching 12 and 13 year old boys, but they did. They knew not only how to teach climbing skills but to build confidence at the same time. It was easily the finest outdoor instruction I have ever witnessed. You have two very valuable assets in these two instructors.
Could you please send me whatever promotional materials you have concerning these courses? We would like to share that information with other troops in the area so that more boys can benefit from the same quality instruction that we had the good fortune to enjoy.
Thank you for being so good at what you do.
Yours very truly,
Craig G. Reimer
Scoutmaster, Troop 2 |
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