Climbing

Our Venturer company has become trained and skilled in rock climbing, and is now offering this activity to Scout troops across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Our program is modelled after the On Rappell program offered in Burlington (near Toronto). This program was featured in the October 2007 issue of The Leader magazine. The intent is to provide a safe introduction to the sport of rock climbing. A climbing gym, while fun, is no comparison to a real rock face.

Location

One of two locations are normally used: The Gatineau mountains near Luskville, Quebec and Kingston Mills near Kingston, Ontario. Both locations offer ample opportunity for introductory climbing. Other locations may be possible, please contact us with any requests. There is no camping available at the Luskville location, however camping arrangements may be made at the Kingston Mills locks.

Group Responsibilities

  • Provide adult supervision of your youth.
  • Ensure your Scouts are under complete control at all time. Climbing is not the time for fooling around, and Scouts will be removed from the cliff permanently and without warning for unacceptable or unsafe behaviour.
  • Have approved outdoor activity application with your group committee.
  • Have signed outdoor forms for a class III activity for all youth.
  • Transportation of your leaders and youth to and from the climbing location.
  • Provision of lunch for your leaders and youth.

    Our Responsibilites

  • Provide necessary training to all participants.
  • Provide climbing helmets and harnesses for all participants.
  • Provide all other climbing equipment.
  • Provide a suitable number of trained belayers.
  • Transportation of climbing equipment and belayers to and from the climbing location.

    Logistics

    There are no washrooms at the Luskville location, there are washrooms at the Kingston Mills locks (when the lock station is open).

    Emergency Planning

    This program meets or exceeds all requirements of the Scouts Canada Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures. The 911 address of the Luskville location is 440 Chemin Cregheur, Luskville. The nearest hospital is Centre Hospitalier des vallees de l'Outaouis de Hull, 116 Boulavard Lionel Emond, Hull, (819) 595-6000. The 911 address of Kingston Mills is 563 Kingston Mills Road, Kingston. The nearest hospital is Kingston General Hospital, 76 Stuart Street, (613) 548-3232.

    Equipment Loan

    Our climbing equipment is available for borrowing at no charge by groups with qualified leaders. Please contact us to discuss.

    What Next

    Once your youth are in Venturers, they are eligible to participate in the VenClimb and VenClimb II programs offered under the auspices of the Venturer Advisors Forum. These programs teach the youth, and leaders, how to belay and set their own anchors. These courses are the stepping stones for independant climbing.

    Contacts

    For more information or to book a session, please contact Allan Yates.

    Documents

    VenClimb Manual
    Ottawa Area Climbing Guide
    Map to Luskville
    Map to Kingston Mills

    Photos

    See our Rock Climbing Events page for additional photos.

    Recommended Books

    Recommended Movies (DVDs)