Two suggestions on this if you are in the northeast. In the “off-season” you can go to an indoor climbing gym such as Carabiner’s in New Bedford, MA (pictured), RI Rock Gym in Lincoln, RI, or Boulder Morty’s in Nashua, NH. They provide a MB course to complete this badge as well an the opportunity to do an overnight stay which the scouts love. In Nov-Feb when the holidays dictate low logistic scout outings, this is a great time to put this on your schedule.

You can’t stop here however because the kids don’t really get that real sense of climbing. While there are a few good places to do some basic climbing in the Boston area, the Valhalla of hiking is not too far away - the ‘Gunks. “Gunks” is a shortening of the “Shawangunks” (Sha-WAN-gunks) Mountain Range which stretches over 50 miles in southwest NY (near the village of New Paltz), reaching some 260 feet in height (2,200′ above sea level). There are four most popular and prominent climbing cliffs: the Trapps, Near Trapps, Skytop and Millbrook.

This has been a climbing mecca since the 1930’s. The rock found here is exquisite in quality, quantity (some 1000 climbing routes), and beauty (the views are spectacular). Google Mohonk Preserve, Gunks, or Minnewaska Preserves and you’ll find more info. I’ve done many, many hikes, climbs, and rides in this area and just can’t get enough. Mountain biking in the spring when the mountain laurel blossoms is particularly enjoyable.

When you’re ready, try this one: matterhorn-2007.pdf