Youth Program Policies

To officially withdraw from the program and discontinue participation, you must submit an Online Member Change Request form. This form must be submitted no later than the 15th of the final month you plan to attend.

• This form can be accessed on the Youth Program Forms page on our website.

• If the form is not submitted by the 15th, dues for the upcoming month will be processed as usual, and the withdrawal will take effect in the next month.

• Please note that program withdrawals are never retroactive—this means that once a payment has been processed, it cannot be refunded or credited for prior months.

• Refunds are only available in cases of injury with a doctor's note.

• Due to space limitations and the nature of ongoing programming, make-up days cannot be offered for missed practices.

• Payments cannot be prorated or refunded for missed practices.

• Pricing will be prorated for months where 4 weeks worth of practice will not run (ie. school vacations, holidays).

• All program participants must be 14 years of age or older to be eligible to belay outside of practices.

• In order to belay outside of practices, athletes must take a belay test with a staff member who is not their coach.

• Once a Top Rope Belay Privilege is obtained, children may only belay other people who also have a Top Rope Belay Privilege with the exception of siblings under the age of 14.

Participants ages 14 or older may only learn to lead climb and belay after receiving a coach recommendation and meeting the following prerequisites:

• Must be able to comfortably and efficiently toprope climbs graded 5.10a or harder.

• Must have at least 6 months of regular toprope climbing experience.

• Must display the maturity required to be able to understand how to manage risk while lead climbing and belaying.

• To be checked off to lead climb outside of practice, athletes must be 14 years of age or older and must test with a staff member who is not a coach.

Participants under the age of 14 may be taught to lead climb (but not belay), with permission from the Head Coach after meeting the following prerequisites:

• Must be able to comfortably and efficiently top rope climbs graded 5.10a or harder.

• Must have at least 6 months of top rope climbing experience.

• Must display the maturity required to be able to understand how to manage risk while lead climbing.

• To be checked off to lead climb outside of practice, athletes must be 14 years of age or older and must test with a staff member who is not a coach.

In the event of an injury or medical emergency during practice the Head Coach or Assistant Head Coach (if present) will take the lead and make all decisions regarding how to proceed.

• In the event that the Head Coach or Assistant Head Coach is not present, a shift supervisor with First Aid & CPR Training will assume this responsibility.

In the event of injuries where broken bones are suspected, a participant is rendered unable to walk without assistance, signs of a concussion are present, or any other medical emergency requiring more than basic first aid has occurred EMS will be called immediately.

• After calling EMS, parents will be contacted as soon as is reasonably possible.

• If parents are present in the building when the injury occurs, EMS will still be called regardless of if parents consent.

• Parents have the right to refuse medical help only after EMS has arrived.

• All coaches are encouraged to complete First Aid & CPR Training. All USAC Certified Level 2 Coaches are required to complete First Aid & CPR Training.

• Program participants may not be dropped off to practice any earlier than 15 minutes before to the start of practice.

• If a participant must be dropped off earlier than this time, parents much reach out to the Head Coach no later than 24 hours prior to the start of practice for written approval.

• Participants who are dropped off earlier than this will not be allowed to begin climbing until 15 minutes before the start of practice and must wait in a designated area until this time.

• Parents are required to stay in the building during all Little Pebbles practice sessions.

• Parents must come inside to pick up any child under the age of 13.

• Parents/guardians should notify the Head Coach if there are any restrictions on who may pick up their child.

• Program participants may not continue to climb after the conclusion of their scheduled practice time unless a parent or guardian is present to supervise the remainder of their climbing session.

• Athletes who are picked up later than this will not be allowed to continue climbing and must wait in a designated area until they are picked up.

• A staff member will remain with program participants until they have been picked up from practice.

• If a parent/guardian is experiencing a delay due to unforeseen circumstances and will be longer than 15 minutes late to pick up their child, they must notify the the front desk by calling 978-990-7625

• Siblings of program participants who are going to remain in the building during a registered participants practice time must be under active and direct parent supervision at all times.

• Supervising parents are responsible for making sure siblings are not attempting to participate in or interfere with their siblings practice at any time.

• If a sibling is continually attempting to participate in or interfere with their siblings practice, the supervising parent will be notified immediately by the lead coach.

• If the behavior continues, both the supervising parent and sibling may be asked to leave the facility until the conclusion of practice

Our goal is to maintain a welcoming environment for ALL of our program participants, staff, and the MetroRock community. Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, anti LGBTQ+ conduct, harassment, or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated, and will lead to disciplinary action which may include suspension or expulsion from the program.