Climbing Wall & Bouldering Grotto

• Review and sign our informed consent and release form.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Jeans and cutoff jeans are not recommended.  Shirts are required.
• Jewelry; especially rings and watches, should be removed before climbing. Long hair should be tied back.
• Bring water in a plastic, re-sealable container to drink. 
• Ask for assistance when needed. Our trained climbing wall staff is happy to help.

There are several routes participants can take to become belay certified at the Climbing Wall.
 
1. If you've been belay certified before or have previous experience, you can take a belay test during our open hours with a climbing wall supervisor. If you pass, you will be belay certified. If you fail, you will be required to take a Climb Safe Clinic before you retake the belay test.

2. If you've never belayed before or need a refresher, you can take our Climb Safe Clinic. The Climb Safe Clinic is free and will give you the knowledge and experience to successfully pass the climbing wall's belay test. After taking the Climb Safe Clinic, you must successfully pass our belay test three times to become certified. Climb Safe Clinics are offered during the fall and spring semesters Monday through Thursday from 6pm to 8pm. Sign up by going to activeterp.umd.edu. 

A note about Climb Safe Clinics: 

• Please arrive at the Climbing Wall and check in no later than 5 minutes before the clinic start time. 
• Prior to the clinic complete the waiver online at go.umd.edu/wallwaiver. 
• In the event of inclement weather, please keep an eye on the UMD Adventure Page for potential inclement weather closures. 
• If  you can no longer attend, please cancel your sign-up and email Corrie Fenn at cfenn@umd.edu.

Belay certifications are good at our climbing wall for one year. After one year, you will be required to recertify by taking the belay test. 

We host multiple special events each semester. This semester we will be hosting 7 different Affinity Climbs. 

Spring 2025 Special Events 

• Women's Affinity Climb: Friday, March 28 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• POC (People of Color) Affinity Climb: Friday, April 4 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Affinity Climb: Friday, April 11 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• LATINX Affinity Climb: Friday, April 18 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• Native and Indigenous Affinity Climb: Friday, April 25 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Affinity Climb: Friday, May 2 from 6 PM to 8 PM 
• LGBTQ+ Affinity Climb: Friday, May 9 from 6 PM to 8 PM

The climbing wall is available to reserve for up to two hours outside of climbing wall hours of operation. To make a reservation, complete the climbing wall request form at least three weeks in advance of your desired reservation date.
 

Once a reservation is confirmed, you will be emailed a rental contract. The rental contract must be signed and returned (along with a 50% deposit if a non-UMD group) by the date indicated on the rcontract.

Cancellation policy: Programs must be canceled no less than seven business days before the event date. A service charge of $50 will be assessed for cancellations. 

• All climbers must check in at the Adventure Program Climbing Wall Desk with a university ID (UID/Swipe) or RecWell membership card and have a signed informed consent and release on file. 
• An Adventure Program Certified Belayer must belay all climbers unless they are bouldering.
• While bouldering, at least one foot must always stay below your hands. No topping out (meaning no climbing on top of the wall) on the grotto and no climbing above or below other climbers while bouldering on the wall or grotto. 
• Must use a bouldering pad when bouldering. 
• You may not be in the climbing area if you have received any medical treatment or are using any medication that could impair your alertness or coordination. 
• Adventure Program Certified Belayers must use Adventure Program belay devices. No Grigri’s or other personal belay devices may be used. 
• All climbers must wear shoes that cover their entire foot while climbing. No Crocs. 
• All patrons must wear a shirt while in the fenced area of the Climbing Wall. 
• Harnesses, helmets, and climbing shoes are all available to borrow for free (climbing shoes are checked out at the Rental Desk) 
• Climbers and belayers must have any personal equipment checked by the supervisor on duty. Equipment deemed unsafe will not be permitted. 
• All equipment must be used according to manufacturer recommendations. 
• All belayers must be anchored tight to the belay stations while belaying. 
• No sitting on the ground while belaying at any time. 
• Proper use of climbing verbal commands is expected at all times 
• Patrons may not teach belaying to others, regardless of their comfort or skill level. 
• You must be a current RecWell member over 18 years of age to take a belay test or become belay certified. A 17-year-old freshman student can also become belay certified. 
• Behaviors deemed unsafe by the Climbing Wall Staff will not be allowed and can result in being asked to leave the premises. 
• All injuries must be reported to the Climbing Wall Staff 
• RecWell is not responsible for patrons' personal belongings. Lockers are available in the ERC.

Smoking, vaping, tobacco, gum, alcohol, and drug use are prohibited. 

• No one will be permitted to enter the facility if deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• Animals are not allowed (except service animals). 
• This is a family-friendly facility; respectful language and behavior are expected from everyone. 
• Report damage or equipment misuse to the Climbing Wall Staff. 
• In an emergency, climbers must immediately follow the instructions of the Climbing Wall Staff to clear the area as directed.

Violations of these rules and regulations may result in suspension of all recreation privileges or administrative and/or judicial sanction. University Recreation & Wellness (RecWell) facility privileges may be permanently revoked for serious or repeated violations.