Nervy about climbing wall party.

[MrsNotPrincessKate]

For DSs 11th he's having a climbing wall party on Saturday, there will be instructors and I'm hoping everyone will enjoy it, theres 18 plus his little sister who won't be climbing but is coming along with me and DH. Will anyone be too scared? Hurt themselves? OH GOD STRESS.... has anyone been to one of these, held one? I'm hoping the instructors are really relaxed, if his mates have said yes to the party they won't be terrified like thinking back to when in PE ..me... faced with first rope climb? (how on earth did we do that with no safety harness?)

I know these things are very safe with harnesses and things, I just am useless with other peoples children if they cry. Small ones being tearful, thats easier. 10/11 oh dear God.. they won't get upset will they?

DS has been to several climbing parties from the age of 8 or so upwards. He and his mates have throroughly enjoyed them, and to my knowledge no-one has got upset.

They will learn how to safely climb, and belay, and will be roped up so no danger.

hope you can relax and everyone has fun

They'll be fine - your DS must be raring to try it, or he wouldn't have wanted it for his party. His mates will be just the same. My 11yr old DS did this recently with Scouts - they all loved it.

Chances of injury, with proper trained staff putting them into harnesses are minimal (muchless than a footie party, I'd imagine).

Do let you DD have a go as well, unless she is below the minimum permitted age.

Climbing wall parties are fab and they will all have a lovely time - the instructors, IME, are really really good at dealing with even the most nervous child. Their enthusiasm is infectious.

How old is DD? If she is 5 or over she should be able to climb.

My ds had one years ago for his 6th birtthday (plaec we went to took them from 5, most don't). It was fine. One boy didn't enjoy it but they had a small play room for wee kids and he went in there instead.
10 and 11 year olds will love it. If you have 18 going - and you can get away with it - try to sort out the groups yourself so you can separate those that are bound to muck around together.

Thanks everyone, DD is only 4 so is under the required age, they do all seem enthusiastic from what I've heard, and the instructors did seem nice on the phone, will keep that in mind haggisaggis about troublemakers :) Now you mention footie EdithWeston its no less scary, yes I think most of my worry has been 'party stress' related.

Have a go yourself too, whilst you're there!

hahha EdithWeston I just might to embarrass DS :)

I had one for my son's 11th and I was a bit worried too.

It was all fine - very strict wrt safety and they had a great time.

DD has been to a climbing wall several times, although not as a birthday party.

She has done a brief course through school and also, in the last year of primary school, gone to an outdoor wall with the entire class.

H&S has always been v. strict and the instructors have been very good.

The only thing you might find is that you might get the occasional child who is a bit scared to go as high as some of the others (and IME this is usually the gobbiest, most full of himself, "aren't I just wonderful at everything" boy in the class who suddenly isn't quite so full of themselves! Not always a bad thing as it puts them in their place a bit )