Many parents recognize the importance of risky play yet still worry about the possibility of injury. At Avid4 Adventure, we also recognize the benefits of risky play, and it’s our job to appropriately manage the risks and teach kids to intelligently navigate risk.
Avid4 Adventure is all about FUN and LEARNING. Through climbing, hiking, paddling, biking, skateboarding, and other outdoor activities, participants experience incredible growth through a variety of fun activities. However, all adventure activities, including those offered by Avid4 Adventure, have inherent risks. Some of the inherent risks that exist in our camp environment are considered a necessary and valued aspect of our programs. Having reasonable, communicated, and calculated risks encourages personal responsibility, increases self-confidence, builds judgment, and leads to a sense of accomplishment. Our goal is to transform your children into risk managers.
Yes, we want to lean into positive Risk taking, but we are committed to managing the big risks and remaining “challenge by choice” for campers. We believe in fostering a Growth Mindset, not a fixed mindset – it’s much more important to have a great time than it is to “reach the top.”
Every summer, we collect extensive data on any injuries and incidents that may occur. We are proud that our rate of incidents is consistently lower than the rates of other sport programs and camps.
From the CDC report, Sports- and Recreation-related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011–2014
Please note that programs at Valmont Bike Park involve a higher level of inherent risk as a result of the terrain and development of incremental skills. Avid4 Adventure mitigates these risks by grouping kids be levels of experience (not always age), requiring the use of protective equipment, in-depth environmental briefings, practicing fall techniques, and challenge by choice across all elements. Comparison data is from the CDC report, Sports and Recreation-related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011–2014.
For some Events and some Pre-K programming, Avid4 Adventure uses commercially produced portable climbing walls from Extreme Engineering as we have found them to be extremely reliable. The wall that we have selected for our Discovery Camp in Colorado (Pre-K) has two manufacturer recommendations regarding small climbers. We want to share these with you as well as the precautions that we take.
Statistically, our climbing walls are extremely safe. We have had well over 100,000 climbers without incident, including thousands of climbers that weigh less than 45 lbs., making our walls much safer than playground play, organized sports, or gymnastics. Nonetheless, we can never eliminate all of the risks of climbing on an artificial climbing wall, and we want to be completely transparent regarding the above information. Avid4 Adventure is able to provide an alternative activity for any camper under 45 lbs. whose parent does not want them to participate. Our Camp Director is happy to provide additional information should you have any questions.
For more information on the inherent risks in our activities and participant/parent responsibilities, please review our Risks & Release Form during your registration process. Contact us at info@avid4.com if you have any further questions.