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Occupational Therapy + Climbing

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Climbing OT Class Tuesdays at 3:30 PM with Occupational Therapist Sarah Brown and Climbing Coach Laura.  More details below

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Next class starts in March

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And check out our NEW OT focused summer camp!

Want to talk with our Occupational Therapist to see if Basecamp's OT Course is right for your child? 

Preferred method of contact

Thanks for your interest! We will be in touch soon!

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Occupational Therapist Sarah Brown & Climbing Coach Laura Bellisle

Fall Class 2023

General OT Class

Tuesdays 3:30-4:30

Jan 10-Feb21

Ages 6+

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Your climber will learn motor control, social skills self regulation, and breathing techniques with our occupational therapist and climbing coach. Hope to see you in class!

Benefits of Climbing 

What an Occupational Therapist can teach at a climbing gym

Motor Control

  • Climbing improves core strength needed for appropriate posture and shoulder control

  • Hand-eye coordination

  • Finger and wrist strength

  • Motor planning and muscle memory

Social Skills

  • Climbing places us in a socially manageable situation

  • Climbing is an individual pursuit done in community

  • The small class size (3 students) allow an intimate, safe setting

Breathing Techniques

  • While kids are waiting to climb, our OT can work with your child to regulate emotion through breathing

  • Using many different breathing techniques, we allow kids to explore which ones work best for them

Self Regulation

  • Proprioceptive input comes into our joints & muscles as we climb

  • This input helps us know where our body is in space

  • Using the Zones of Regulation framework, we talk about how kids feel & use strategies to move from one zone to another​

Meet the Sensory Friendly Team

Occupational Therapist

Sarah Brown, MS OTR/L is an occupational therapist and owner of Building Blocks Therapy, Inc. Sarah has worked with the most amazing families and kids in her over 18 years as an occupational therapist. Sarah has a strong interest helping kids improve their executive functioning, self-regulation, attention, and participation in all areas of life.

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Climbing Coach

Laura Bellisle is Basecamp's owner and head coach and was trained as a social worker. She loves watching kids and their families climb, learn, and grow together. Having climbed since 2008, her climbing experience and enthusiasm for the sport translates to kids she coaches. She is an Autism Climbs certified climbing coach.

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Summer camp61.heic

A fun, kid centered summer camp designed with your climber in mind.  We will spend lots of time climbing--including playing climbing games and learning new skills And because every climber needs a break, every day will include healthy snacks and a new craft! Each activity will work on the motor planning, self regulation, and social skills your climber will need to be successful in life AND in climbing. We will also include breathing exercises every day 

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Join our experienced occupational therapist and kids climbing coaches at the gym Monday-Wednesday. The week leads up to Thursday when we will climb outside in beautiful Custer State Park. Parents must be present to climb outside Thursday.

Why Climbing?

  • Climbing stimulates the proprioceptors in the body that calm the central nervous system, making it a wonderful exercise for kids with ADD, ADHD, or who want to work on self regulation.

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  • Climbing requires visual attention AND gives lots of tactile input to climbers' hands and feet. 

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  • Climbing is FUN!  While climbing teaches us great lessons like learning how to get back up after we fall, it's also inherently fun!  

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  • Climbing teaches us to set goals and work hard for them.  It also allows us to see progress while we're working toward those goals

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