Starting a Tree Climbing Club

In the city where TCI was founded, the Atlanta Tree Climbing Club (ATCC) is very active. Most of the founding 26 members are from the Atlanta area, but some are from as far away as Florida and North Carolina. They meet and climb together once a month. Sometimes they go on overnight adventures to other places.

You, too, can build a local Tree Climbing Club. It only takes two people to get started! Consider following the guidelines below.

If you already have a tree climbing club organized, please let us know! We want to add you to the list so that other climbers can find you.

HOW TO START A TREE CLIMBING CLUB

Find a place for your club to meet and a safe place to climb.

Recruit members. Start with a list of the people in your area that you think would be interested in forming a recreational tree climbing club. For starters, if you are a TCI member, you can use our "Climber Finder" to contact other potential members of your club.

Establish a club structure. No matter how many people are in your club, there will still be things to do to maintain it. Find committed members who will accept responsibility and take on the nuts and bolts of organizing meetings and climbs, keeping records, handling funds, and enforcing your rules and regulations. Consider adopting a set of Bylaws like those of the Atlanta Tree Climbing Club.

Collect an initiation fee or membership dues. These will pay for snacks, expenses, etc.

Communicate consistently. Keep everyone informed about meeting dates, club climbs, and general information that may affect the tree climbing community in your area.

Adopt club guidelines for conduct at events and safe climbing.

Do all members have gear? If not, do what you can to make sure they can borrow equipment from someone.

Be aware of members' skills so you can pair experienced with inexperienced climbers on a climb. This also increases everyone's enjoyment of the experience, as advanced climbers get to share what they know with novices, who get to learn in a personalized way.

Consider inviting young climbers to join your club. The ATCC welcomes children; at climbing events, they must "buddy" with an experienced climber who accepts responsibility for making sure they are safe throughout the climb.

Contact the Atlanta Tree Climbing Club on Facebook.

Here are some past and recent pictures of Atlanta Tree Climbing Club events.