The Y specializes in indoor and outdoor rock climbing, team building, and challenge course experiences.Our staff-facilitated programs allow participants to develop skills and relationships in a respectful and supportive learning environment.All of our facilitators are CPR and First Aidcertified and trained to Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)standards.
Rock Climbing Programs
Reserve a spot to open climb at a tower, sign up for a kids or family climbing class or clinic, or learn to belay. Climbing gear and helmets are provided.
Download print-at-home PDF schedules >
Open Climb Reservations
Our towers at our Dale Turner Family, Matt Griffin, and NorthshoreYs are open to members ages 5 and older as an included membership benefit! Reserve your spot up to two days prior. Kids under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Classes and Clinics
Learn about climbing safety, equipment, technique, commands, and knot-tying from our rock star staff! Kids, tweens, and familieswill be challenged while having a blast! Beginner and advancedyouth, tween, and family options are available.
Belay Certification
Get certified to belay and learn climbing basics including techniques, safety, and knot tying in this three-hour class for ages 14 and older. Your certification will allow you to belay at our various climbing walls in the YMCA of Greater Seattle climbing network.
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Tower Rentals & Challenge Programs
Reach new heights during a climbing or challenge course program! Our climbing towers and challenge courses are located across King County and are available for group bookings.
If you want to stay on the ground, we can bring the challenge to you with a customizable Ground-Based Team Building program! Outdoor locations are available from April– October.
Learn more about our programs in the videos below, then contact us using the inquiry form to book your program!
Camp Terry Challenge Course
High RopesOdyssey Course
Alpine Tower and Giant Swing
ClimbingTowers
Ground-Based Team Building
Inquiry Form
Locations
Our climbing towers and challenge courses are located throughout King County.
Auburn Valley YMCA Alpine Tower
Our Alpine Tower is a three-sided pyramid structure made of wood and has six different routes ranging in difficulty. Participants climb and maneuver around the various obstacles, using hand holds, ropes, wood, and nets.
Location: Auburn Valley YMCA in Auburn, WA
Camp TerryRopes and Giant Swing
Camp Terry is a greatoutdoor location available for team-building programs and rentals.The low ropes course offers six different activities, ranging in height from 1-3 feet off the ground. The high ropes course activities include a tree climb and a giant swing ranging in height of 20-40 feet.
Location: YMCA Camp Terry in Issaquah, WA
Dale Turner Family YMCA Tower
This 25-foot indoor rock climbing tower is located inside the gym. It has six routes and uses a mix of auto-belays and manual rope belays.
Location: Dale Turner Family YMCA in Shoreline, WA
Matt Griffin YMCA Huling Tower
This 25-foot indoor rock climbing tower is located inside the lobby. Ithas six routes and uses a mix of auto-belays and manual rope belays.
Location: Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac, WA
Northshore YMCA Tower
The tallest in the YMCA climbing network at 35 feet, this tower has 10 routes and uses both auto belays (cables) and manual belays (ropes). It's a great way to team build or celebrate a special event.
Location: Northshore YMCA in Bothell, WA
Odyssey High Ropes
The Odyssey Course is a team course designed for small groups to navigate our bi-level ropes course from start to finish. A trained facilitator will be their guide for the duration of the program. This high ropes course ranges in height from 20-40 feet, includes 10 obstacles, and culminates with a zip line to the ground!
Location: Cottage Lake Park in Woodinville, WA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who do I contact with questions?
Email us atychallenge@seattleymca.orgor fill out the inquiry form. We usually respond within 48 hours.
When does registration open and how do I sign up?
For open climb reservations or to sign up for climbing classes or clinics, use the links above to register, visit your local Y, or call(206) 382-5022.
- Open climb reservations open two days prior.
- Registration opens seasonally for climbing classes and clinics.Learn more about program registration and timelines here >>
- To book achallenge program, please fill out theinquiry form above, or email ychallenge@seattleymca.org.
What are your hours and schedules?
Our climbing classes and open climb reservations occur during local Y operating hours at their respective locations. You can expect afternoon or evening programs during the week and daytime programs during the weekend.
Check ourPrint at Home PDF Schedules here >>
Challenge programs and climbing tower rentals can be booked on a custom schedule if it does not conflict with already scheduled programs.Ground-Based Team Building can be booked on a custom schedule and location.
Outdoor Locations: Operate April 1– October 31
- Northshore YMCA, Bothell
- Auburn Valley YMCA
- YMCA Camp Terry, Preston
- Odyssey Course at Cottage Lake Park, Woodinville
Indoor Locations: Operate Year-Round
- Matt Griffin YMCA, SeaTac
- Dale Turner Family YMCA, Shoreline
Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology) trained facilitators with an enthusiasm for safety and customer experience. They are excited to work with groups and ages of all abilities to take you to the next level, or to just help you have some fun! All our instructors are CPR and First Aid certified.
How challenging are your structures?
As you might guess, difficulty and challenges vary depending on who you are. No matter what, every location has a challenge level appropriate for you. Our instructors are skilled in matching the challenge level to fit your needs and comfort.
What do I bring to climbing or challenge program?
The Y will provide all necessary safety gear for your program, including your own harness and helmet. Please do not bring your own safety gear.
Please bring the following:
- Closed-toed shoes
- Water bottle
- Comfortable athletic clothing. Dress for the weather if you program is outside.
- Any snacks that you may want during your program.
Where and how do I check-in for my climbing or challenge program?
At the Auburn Valley, Dale Turner Family, Matt Griffin, and Northshore YMCAs, please check in at the front desk of the Y facility before proceeding to the climbing or challenge course area.
At Camp Terry or the Odyssey Course, park and proceed directly to the program area.
What are your safety protocols?
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of you, our members, our staff, and our volunteers.
- Staff Training: All staff are trained to ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology) standards and must be certified before working at any of our locations. We pride ourselves on our staff's technical competency and facilitation skills.
- Inspections and Maintenance: All locations go through strict annual and periodic inspections, as well as daily pre and post-inspections each time the site is used.
- Double Checks: We always double check every single person prior to engaging in climbing or challenge course activities.
- Language: We will work with each participant and group to develop specific language to use regarding safety during our programs.
- Disinfection of Personal Gear: Items such helmets are disinfected at the end of each use.
How many participants are involved in a program?
Group sizes vary depending on program length and location. Safety and program quality are our top priorities. We maintain industry standard instructor ratios and are mindful of how many participants a location can safely handle at one time.
Auburn (Alpine Tower and Climbing Wall)
- Climbing Programs - 8 participants and 2 instructors.
- Challenge Programs - Group max size of 30. We maintain a 1:10 staff to participant ratio for challenge programs at Auburn.
Northshore, Dale Turner, and Matt Griffin Climbing Towers
- Climbing Programs - 10 participants and 2 instructors
- Climbing Rentals - 15 participants and 2instructors
Odyssey Course at Cottage Lake Park
- Group max size of 40 at one time. With program modifications, we can accommodate larger groups.
- We maintain a 1:10 staff to participant ratio for this location.
YMCA Camp Terry
- Depending on program length and activities selected, we can accommodate groups sizes up to 100 at Camp Terry. We maintain a 1:10 staff to participant ratio at this location.
Do I have to stay with my participant during a climbing or challenge program?
View our Facility Age Guidelines here >>. Supervising individuals are ages 14 and older and must be from the same household.
- Climbing Classes and Open Climb Reservations (90 minutes): Supervising individuals must stay on property for the duration of the program, but do not have to stay at the program area. For example, a supervising individual may go exercise or take a class at the Y while their child is participating in a climbing class.
- Climbing Clinics (3-6 hours):Supervising individuals may leave the propertyprovided we have emergency contact information on hand.
- Challenge Programs (2-6 hours): Supervising individuals do not need to stay on property for any of our challenge programs, however, every group participating in a challenge program must have a chaperone or group leader with them for the duration of the program.
What about bathrooms?
All locations have access to water and restrooms during your program.
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