Climb On Safely is Scouting America’s framework for conducting safe unit climbing/rappelling activities at all levels of the Scouting program.
Climb On Safely applies to all unit-sponsored climbing activities, regardless of where they are held. This includes climbing and rappelling at natural sites, using structures such as climbing towers and artificial walls, whether fixed or portable and commercial climbing gyms and adventure parks. This applies to a single unit or multiple units that may be participating in a joint unit climbing activity (with proper council permission).
For council and district sponsored climbing/rappelling activities the National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP) Standards for the current year must be followed.
Climb On Safely provides adult leaders with a framework to help plan a safe climbing and rappelling program for their unit. Climb On Safely does NOT teach the technical skills of climbing and rappelling, nor does it prepare unit leaders to instruct Scouts in these skills. Teaching climbing and rappelling skills requires a trained climbing instructor who meets the criteria under “Qualified Supervision” in Climb On Safely.
Unit leaders are responsible for making sure all points of Climb On Safely are followed. Unit committee chairs and local councils must ensure that an adult attending the activity has taken Climb On Safely training.
Belay On, No. 430-500, is Scouting America’s primary reference for climbing and rappelling activities.
Climb On Safely training can be accessed online through my.scouting.org in the training catalog. Training is valid for two years from the completion date. 
These rules apply to all program levels, for Scouts, leaders, and instructors.
Activity Definitions
Belaying is defined as using appropriate equipment and techniques to protect a climber from falling. All belays require an appropriate backup.
Bouldering is defined as climbing on natural or artificial steep surfaces using trained spotters or crash pads for safety. While bouldering, the climber’s feet are no higher than their own shoulder height, up to a maximum of 6 feet high. While bouldering each climber shall have a spotter or use a crash pad.
Lead climbing is defined as climbing on natural or artificial steep surfaces in which the climber attaches a rope to fixed or placed protection points for fall protection as they climb, or where the climber is often climbing above their anchor point. Lead climbing without a top-rope belay is prohibited as part of council, or district activities.
Rappelling is defined as descending a rope with the descent managed by a rappel device controlled by the rappeller. All rappelling activities must be properly belayed (see NCAP standard PS-206)
Top-Rope Climbing is defined as climbing on natural or artificial steep surfaces higher than the climber’s own shoulder height, or more than 6 feet, whichever is less, using a top-rope belay with a backup, or an auto-belay device for fall protection. When climbing higher than the climber’s own shoulder height, or more than 6 feet high, the climber must be belayed.
SAFE Framework for Climb on Safely
To ensure the safety of participants, Scouting America expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program. Climb On Safely builds upon and extends the SAFE framework specific to climbing and rappelling activities.
Qualified Supervision
All climbing and rappelling activities must be supervised by a mature, conscientious adult at least 21 years of age who understands the risks inherent to these activities. This person knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of the youth in their care. This adult supervisor is trained in and committed to compliance with Climb On Safely and responsible for recruiting and verifying the qualifications of the qualified instructors.
One adult supervisor is required for every 10 participants with a minimum of two adults for any one group.
The adult supervisor is responsible for ensuring that someone in the group is currently trained in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR (a 6 ½-hour course). Wilderness First Aid (a 16-hour course) is recommended for units going to remote areas. A course of equivalent length and content from another nationally recognized organization can be substituted.
A higher level of certification such as emergency medical technician (EMT), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and licensed health-care practitioner is also acceptable if the person is trained in backcountry medical care. The American Red Cross’s Emergency Response, a 43 ½-hour course that includes CPR, is highly recommended.
Qualified Instructors
There must be a minimum of two instructors for all climbing and rappelling activities up to 12 participants, and one additional instructor for each additional six participants, maintaining a 6-to-1 ratio.
The qualified instructor managing the climbing/rappelling activity must be at least 21 years of age, and be current in their training from one or more of the sources listed below or equivalent:
- Climbing Director or Level II climbing instructor
- COPE Director or Level II COPE instructor (artificial structures only)
- Instructors trained by professional organizations or their accredited providers:
- American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)
- Single pitch instructor
- Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)
- Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA)
- Top rope climbing instructor
- Top managed climbing instructor
- Single pitch instructor
- Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)
- Professional Climbing Guide Institute (PCGI)
- Top rope guide
- Single pitch guide
- Lead guide
- Multi-pitch guide
- Climbing Wall Association (CWA)
- Climbing wall instructor (artificial structures only)
- Professional climbing guide/instructors who are licensed by the state or accredited according to:
- AMGA, PCIA, or PCGI for natural rock climbing
- AMGA, PCIA, CWA, PRCA, or ACCT for artificial structures
- University or college climbing/rappelling instructors who are current in their training (assessment within three years) as rock climbing instructors (or climbing wall instructors for artificial structures only)
- American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)
Additional instructors required to meet the 6-to-1 ratio requirement must be competent as determined by the qualified instructor and be at least 18 years of age.
There are many institutions and/or businesses who offer training for climbing and rappelling. However, most do not prepare instructors to lead groups of people on climbing and rappelling outings. Your local council COPE and climbing committee and COPE and climbing advocates are good sources to determine if an alternative training experience is equivalent to one of the sources listed above. For guidance or additional information, contact the Scouting America’s Outdoor Programs/Properties Department through your local council office.
Discipline
For supervision to be effective, there must be discipline. Each participant knows, understands, and respects the rules and procedures for safely climbing and rappelling and follows Climb On Safely and Leave No Trace. All participants must respect and follow all instructions and rules of the climbing instructor. The applicable rules should be presented and learned prior to the outing and must be reviewed for all participants before climbing or rappelling begins. When participants know the reasons for rules and procedures, they are more likely to follow them. The climbing instructor must be strict and fair, showing no favoritism.
Qualified supervision and discipline are the basis for all the other points of Climb On Safely.
Age-Appropriate Activities
Before any Scouting America unit climbs or rappels, adult leaders for the activity must have an appreciation for the potential hazards and take steps to reduce risks. Unit leaders must review the Age-Appropriate Activity Guidelines and the Guide to Safe Scouting to ensure the planned activity is appropriate for the age and maturity of the participants.
Cub Scouts may engage in bouldering or top-rope climbing with a trained belayer and backup at a climbing gym, artificial wall, or other age-appropriate facility with close supervision and age-appropriate instruction and equipment. Cub Scouts may NOT rappel, belay, or climb at natural sites.
In addition, Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts may rappel on artificial surfaces with a trained belayer and a backup.
In addition, Scouts BSA members may boulder on natural faces with trained spotters, top-rope climb on natural faces with a trained belayer and a backup, rappel on natural faces with a trained belayer and a backup, and belay with supervision and a backup.
In addition, older Scouts BSA (age 13 and older), Sea Scouts, and Venturers may participate in practice lead climbing, using a top-rope belay with a backup, and ice climbing subject to the following:
- All participants must be at least 13 years old.
- Qualified instructors must have training from a nationally recognized organization that trains climbing instructors in the specific activity. National Camping School Climbing Director training does not include training in lead climbing or ice climbing.
Planning
When planning for a climbing/rappelling activity the unit should:
- Share the climbing/rappelling plan and an alternate with parents and the unit committee.
- Secure the necessary permits or written permission for using private or public lands.
- Enlist the help of a qualified climbing instructor.
- Be sure the instructor has a topographic map for the area being used and obtains a current weather report for the area before the group’s departure.
- It is suggested that at least one of the adult leaders has an electronic means of communication in case of an emergency.
- Before any activity an adult leader should develop and share an emergency plan that includes the location of a nearby medical facility and the means of communicating with parents during the activity.
Physical Fitness
Participants must have a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. When incidents occur they frequently relate to unknown physical conditions or occur as the unexpected result of a known physical condition.
The adult supervisor will review the medical record for each participant and adapt all supervision, discipline, and precautions to anticipate any potential risks associated with individual health conditions.
The adult supervisor should inform the climbing instructor about each participant’s medical conditions.
Scouting America recommends a fitness regimen prior to participation in climbing or rappelling including strengthening and aerobic exercise.
Safe Area
All Scout climbing/rappelling activities must be conducted using an established climbing/rappelling site or facility. A qualified climbing instructor must survey the site in advance of the activity to identify and evaluate possible hazards and to determine whether the site is suitable for the age, maturity, and skill level of the participants.
The instructor shall also verify that the site is sufficient to safely and comfortably accommodate the number of participants in the activity within the available time.
An emergency evacuation route must be identified in advance. A separate area should be established for onlookers.
Each participant and staff member in the fall zone of a climbing/rappelling site must wear a UIAA or CE-approved rock-climbing helmet.
Everyone must be belayed or tethered when within 8 feet of an edge where a fall of more than 6 feet could occur.
Equipment
The climbing instructor shall verify that the proper equipment is available for the size and ability level of the participants.
Helmets, harnesses, rope, and climbing hardware must meet appropriate requirements as outlined in Belay On.
All equipment must be acquired new and/or furnished by the instructor and retired according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
When using a commercial facility, the facility’s procedures apply.
The qualified instructor must ensure that clothing, helmets, harnesses, connections, and knots are double-checked for every instructor and participant in any belayed activity.
Environmental Conditions
The instructor, each adult leader, and each participant assume responsibility for monitoring potentially dangerous environmental conditions such as loose, crumbly rock; poisonous plants; wildlife; and inclement weather.
Participants should be knowledgeable and follow the principles of Leave No Trace. The adult supervisor is responsible for making sure the group leaves no trace of its presence at the site.
Use the buddy system to monitor concerns such as dehydration, hypothermia, and an unusually high degree of fear or apprehension. The buddy system also helps reinforce the rule that no one climbs alone or without proper supervision.
