How to run public climbs

Hi everyone,
We have finally got the go ahead from our local council to use trees in public parks for climbing. Yay! Just wondering if anyone was willing to share any info, ideas experiences on the best way to go about running a public climb. All ideas gratefully received!
Many thanks
Paul

Hi Treemacca,

When I hear the phrase \"our local council to use trees in public parks for climbing\" that seems that you are refferring to a organized group.

Please clarrify what type of group this is for (Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts)?

This will assist me in directing you in the right direction.

Thanks

Hello, thanks for posting. We want to provide climbs where we set up a tree & people can just come along for a short climb, no bookings needed. We usually run 2.5 hour climbs that are booked in advance. We're not sure how to manage these climbs - how long should people be climbing, how do you manage the health & safety, do you set times for the climbs etc etc
Any ideas would be very helpful
Cheers

Here's how I've been running this type of climb:

1. Set up a perimeter around the dripline of the tree with yellow plastic tape and stakes. Leave one entrance point/opening.

2. Gatekeeper sits at the entrance, anyone who wants to climb signs in, fills out a release and simple health screening form and waits outside the perimeter.

3. When the facilitators indicate a rope position is open on the tree (or will be open soon) then the next signed in person in the queue is allowed inside the perimeter. They are fitted with harness and helmet and then taken to the rope position.

4. I haven't been setting a time limit on climbs, probably a good idea, not easy to implement though when a climber is enjoying being in the tree. Most climbers self-limit their climb time. You can also request that a climber come out of the tree if they're hogging a rope position.

5. You need more support personnel for this type of climb, one or two (to handle larger crowd) people signing people in, one person fitting harnesses and two facilitators at the tree (depending on how many rope positions there are), this is more labor intensive than a standard scheduled facilitated climb. If you get a big turnout you can be quickly overwhelmed if you don't have enough people handling tasks.
-moss

Forgot to mention, no non-climbing parents allowed inside the perimeter unless you specifically request their assistance. It really helps to keep the area under the tree clear of everyone except climbers and facilitators. People have been very cooperative so far with this policy.
-moss

treemacca wrote:

... We want to provide climbs where we set up a tree & people can just come along for a short climb, no bookings needed. We usually run 2.5 hour climbs that are booked in advance.

We've done climbs with no time limit, and the day can get QUITE LONG!

As far as safety goes, we also mark a perimeter AND, No one is allowed inside the drip line, who is not prepared to climb. That includes a saddle, gloves, and a HELMET.

Baker wrote:

As far as safety goes, we also mark a perimeter AND, No one is allowed inside the drip line, who is not prepared to climb. That includes a saddle, gloves, and a HELMET.

Same here but to avoid people rummaging through gear it's kept inside the perimeter, on the outer edge not under or near any climbers or ropes. Otherwise anyone inside the perimeter is wearing a helmet or is having one put on their head.

Be ready for large numbers of children, adults are used to the idea of engaging their children in activities and standing around watching.
-moss

A big thanks to everyone for their helpful coments regarding using public space to hold facilitated climbs.

*A big emphasis on securing the climbing area, climbers and staff only, this is a hard hat area.
*The no time limit but no undue loitering rule also seems logical.
*Do you use a seperate sign up and gear area to keep people away from the climbing entrance?

If anyone would like to add any other useful tips for holding this type of climb please feel free to add to this short list.


Treemacca

No one in Kansas will allow a \"public climb\" without \"Insurance\"...and to get insurance we have to be a \"business\" and to afford the 'insurance' we have to charge a fee to climb.
The Insurance company wants some validation as to our training, experience and safety protocols.
All the red tape and paperwork involved nearly takes the FUN out of it...but finally (with Dan Houses' hoop jumping perseverance) we, of TreeClimbingKansasCity, are finally gaining access to public trees for events.

Good luck,

Becki
\"Wildhare\"
KS

Yes, I know the feeling of jumping through those hoops! We have had to increase our insurance cover to £10 000 000. It is a case of more paper work time - less climbing time.

Hope everyone at Tree Climbing Kansas City is getting up some good trees (G'day to Dan).

Treemacca