Outdoor Adventure Program
Climbing and Bouldering
NOTICE: All climbing programs are cancelled until further notice. For more information, visit our COVID-19 Impact on Rec Sports page.
See the Facility Hours page for Climbing Wall hours
Check out photos from the 2020 Cary Street Crux
Log Rolling and Slacklining Clinics
The Cary Street Gym Climbing area features a 35-foot climbing wall with six top rope and one lead climbing routes. This area also features one freestanding and 18-foot bouldering section.
- There is no additional cost to members or guests to use the climbing area.
- The Bouldering Wall is available for use when Cary Street Gym is open.
- Roped climbing is only permitted during climbing hours.
- The Climbing Wall is a chalk free area. However, liquid chalk is allowed.
Rec Sports members and their guests can climb with the supervision and belay by the Climbing Wall staff. All necessary climbing wall equipment is available and free to use. Guests may bring their own UIAA approved climbing equipment, however, staff reserve the right to restrict the use of any personal gear within the facility if they feel equipment or operator error may be evident.
Cary Street Crux
Clinic Registration
The OAP Climbing Wall is proud to offer clinics to increase the knowledge and skill of climbers of all levels - beginner through advanced, through our weekly climbing clinics. For beginners, take our Belay Clinic, and learn about Slacklining and Climbing Technique. As you gain more skills, look into our Sport and Trad Climbing clinics, as well as Rappelling and Training for climbing. Clinics change every semester.
Learn to Belay
Learn one of the essential skills of climbing. Belaying is the technique of "holding one fast" or keeping climbers safely on the wall using ropes, harnesses, and climbing friction devices. Belay Clinics are offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. We also offer impromptu belay clinics depending on wall usage and instructor availability. Please be sure to register online through MyRecSports or at the climbing wall desk before 6:30 p.m.
Questions? Email Sam Albert: scalbert@vcu.edu
Clinics
Log Rolling and Slacklining Clinics
Join OAP and Aquatics in the Activity Pool at Cary Street Gym Aquatic Center to learn how to log roll and slackline. Trained instructors will teach you how to stand and run on the log roller and slackline across the pool. Improve your balance, work out and have fun doing so! Please wear pool-appropriate swimwear/clothing.
Clinics are held Thursdays 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Visit our Log Rolling and Slacklining Clinic registration page to sign up for any of the following dates. Registration is open through the end of the clinic.
Climbing Events
Climbing Wall Rental
The climbing wall can be rented anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, and anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Pricing goes as follows: VCU Affiliated: $50 per hour, Non-Profit: $90 per hour, Private entities: $130 per hour. All pricing is for up to 15 people. Equipment, staff, and instruction are provided.
Please review our Trip Policies and Procedures.