Since you are working with school children, you can incorporate the school curriculum into the climb. This would attract more schools and would increase your caliber of your tree-climbing program (I assuming you have certification and are covered liability). I do not know what state you are in, but each state should have their entire core curriculum with objectives on a website. Here in GA the curriculum for public schools is called GA Performance Standards (GPS). Review these standards and you can incorporate them into a dynamic educational tree-climbing program. This is what the schools are looking for.
For example, in project Learning Tree there are activates dealing with Lichen, which most of the time will grow on trees. Lichen is used by the EPD as water and air quality indicators. So you can have the kids measure how much lichen their is and is their more of one type of lichen than another (some lichen are more prone to pollution then others). Also, some lichen is florescent if you put a black light on it (this would have be a nocturnal climb or you could find some florescent liken and put it in a dark container that the one or two kids could view). Lichen can also be edible and some is used for medical purposes.
The point is that now you have a educational tree climbing program that involves the following concepts that students must master: observation, senses (small, touch, taste, sight, sound) math, reading, writing, graphing, relating to cultures, environmental concerns (Global warming, pollution, fragmentation, etc), habitat, relation of humans and animals/plants, cellar level, collection (make sure you have the proper permits and that you know what species are protected state and federally and permission), classification, could have a mini-mock research project, well the list goes on and on.
Please note the following for students: What is age appropriate?
Modifications for students?
Inclusion methods?
Other?
If you wish to build self-esteem, have them work on branch/limb walking, etc. You can encourage this by using stuff/billow footballs, dice, balls, etc. Have them have to go out on a limb to retrieve the stuff ball. Or have them have to catch and through the stuff ball. This will force them not to hold on to the rope or a limb. It forces them to trust totally more in the gear.
Please respond and let me know how it goes.
Mother Earth- Our Most Sacred Heirloom