Explore
The A-Team
This page was updated on August 18, 2025.
Fall A-Team Registration is Live!
The A-Team is for anyone ages 6-18 who is interested in pursuing the sport of climbing for pleasure and/or competition. A-Team climbers will be introduced to various climbing skills, terminology, and training protocols. We will also introduce our youth team climbers to the greater climbing community.
ASCEND believes that all people can climb and we strive to create an open and inclusive environment where all of our A-Team climbers can explore this wonderful sport within the structured setting of a youth climbing team.
Throughout each season the coaches will work with our youth athletes on identifying areas where growth can occur and to facilitate consistent improvement in the ability and mentality of each climber. Coaches will work directly with each climber to identify and progress toward individualized goals; whether that be to enjoy climbing with friends, climbing for fitness, or climbing competitively. Our climbing team is a fun place to explore limits, gain confidence, and learn life-long skills. Kids love to climb, grow, and spend time with their friends, and what better place to do that than at a climbing gym!
Participation on the A-Team is a privilege and not a right. We expect a certain level of commitment and proper behavior from our A-Team climbers and reserve the right to remove any participant from the A-Team roster if there are continued issues with commitment, ability to follow rules, and/or lack or respect shown to other team members, staff, or the gym community.
A-Team
Table Of Contents
A-Team
Structure
Season Dates:
Fall and Winter/Spring are our two main seasons, aligned with the Pittsburgh Public Schools calendar.
Summer offers a shorter season for climbers who want structured training while still leaving time for camps, vacations, and other activities.
Fall (17 wks):
Sept 8, 2025–Jan 12, 2026 (Break: Dec 22–Jan 4)
Winter/Spring (17 wks):
Feb 2–May 25, 2026
Summer (9 wks):
June 15–Aug 17, 2026 (Break: June 29–July 5)
Team Structure
Climbers are grouped by age, ability, and commitment level to ensure the best learning environment.
Practices focus on climbing skills, training, strength, and mobility.
Choose from 1, 2, or 3 practices per week — all options include:
Full ASCEND membership
Rental gear
Access to all ASCEND facilities outside of practice
Attendance & Commitment
A-Team is a progressive program — each week builds on the last.
Consistent attendance helps climbers build confidence and stay on track.
Make-up sessions are not offered, as they disrupt training groups. If your child misses a session, they can still train using their ASCEND membership!
Our Coaching Approach
We will work with our athletes to push them just beyond their comfort zones in a safe and supportive manner. We believe that in order to do this, trust between athletes and coaches is key — it helps each climber grow not only as an athlete, but also as a person. Practices will be designed on a progressive basis with each practice building on the previous one while still allowing for freedom and exploration by our young climbers. Each coach will be working towards the same goals while allowing space and time for them to work with their athletes in a way that suits their specific climbing and coaching style.
All About The
REC (RECREATION) TEAM
REC Team (Ages 6–14)
Intro-level climbing Team focused on climbing basics, language, technique, and teamwork through 1.5-hour sessions. Builds community and prepares climbers for the INT Team.
Prereq: ASCEND Summer Camp, Youth 101, Family 101, or Open Athlete Evaluation.
For more information on how to join the Erie A-Team mid-season, please speak with the coaches, front desk staff, or reach out to [email protected] for more information.
For more information on Introductory Classes, please visit the Youth + Family Introductory Classes page.
South Side: Tue/Thu 5–6:30p, Sat 11a-12:30p, Sun 9–10:30a
Point Breeze: Mon/Wed 5–6:30p, Sat 9–10:30a, Sun 11a–12:30p
Erie Offerings: Wed 5–6:30p, Sat 3–4:30p
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel more than 5 days before your booking: You will receive a 100% refund to your original payment method.
Contact: [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
All About The
INT (INTERMEDIATE) TEAM
INT Team (Ages 8–16)
Bridge between REC and ADV levels. Expands skills, introduces outdoor climbing and competitions. Climbers set personal goals and develop intrinsic motivation. Teams organized by age, ability, and commitment.
Prereq: 1 full season on REC Team or by invitation of the coaching team.
For more information on how to join the Erie A-Team mid-season, please speak with the coaches, front desk staff, or reach out to [email protected] for more information.
South Side: Tue/Thu 5–7p, Sat 11a-1p, Sun 9–11a
Point Breeze: Mon/Wed 5–7p, Sat 9–11a, Sun 11a–1p
Erie: Wed 5–7p, Sat 3–5p
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel more than 5 days before your booking: You will receive a 100% refund to your original payment method.
Contact: [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
All About The
ADV (ADVANCED) TEAM
ADV Team (Ages 10–18)
For committed climbers who want to train seriously without competing. Practices are 2 hours; recommend to participate in 2 Team sessions/week plus independent climbing. Encourages exploration of the wider climbing community.
Prereq: By recommendation of coaching team and/or participation in a Youth Evaluation and Placement session. Contact [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
South Side: Mon/Wed 5–7p
Point Breeze: Tue/Thu 5–7p
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel more than 5 days before your booking: You will receive a 100% refund to your original payment method.
Contact: [email protected] with any questions or for more information.
All About The
COMP (COMPETITION) TEAM
The COMP Team is heavily focused on training for and competing in the USA Climbing (USAC) Youth Series throughout the year. This team requires the highest level of commitment to attending team practices and competitions throughout the season. This includes three 3 hour climbing sessions each week, and a commitment to attend enough competitions to qualify for regional rankings. The COMP Team will follow the USAC competitive calendar. This means that a commitment to the COMP Team is a commitment to a full 9 month climbing season with additional options for training for the USAC National finals in June/July. The COMP Team is only open to athletes who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to climbing and training. Along with higher levels of climbing training, there will be more emphasis on pushing limits and practicing mental resilience strategies that support competition at the highest level.
A commitment to the COMP Team is a commitment to intensive training on a consistent basis. We want our COMP Team climbers to make that commitment to repeated intensive training. In order to facilitate this, we ask that climbing takes a front and center role in terms of after school activities. We recognize that many kids participate in a variety of after school activities; however in order to be a COMP Team member we ask that the commitment to climbing over the course of each season takes a prominent role in the lives of each climber.
Participation on the COMP Team is a privilege and not a right. If an athlete cannot maintain the required level of commitment or focus required to keep up with the intensity of the Competitive schedule, then we reserve the right to ask those specific athletes to consider switching to a team that does not have such an intense level of training.
Important links for USAC:
Prerequisites: In order to join the COMP Team, please reach out to [email protected] to express interest and schedule an Athlete Evaluation. Priority will be given to those who have previously qualified for the USAC Regional Finals.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel more than 5 days before your booking: You will receive a 100% refund to your original payment method.
A-Team
Additional Information
In order to get the most out of each session, we really encourage all of our families to ensure they arrive on time for the team. If you arrive early, please remember that our coaching staff will be working on planning that day's practice and as such, your kids are your responsibility until the official start of the team. We understand Pittsburgh traffic can be crazy in the afternoons with all the construction, schools letting out, and people getting off work, and if you show up late, you are always welcome to jump in with the team. Please let the coaches know you have arrived and they will work you into the session.
We encourage all climbers to bring a water bottle and snack for practice. We also have plenty of drinks and snacks at the front desk if you want to attach a credit card to your climbers account so that they can keep themselves hydrated and fueled up during practice.
If you have any questions, suggestions, interest in joining the team, interest in competitive level training, or for more information, send us a message.
A-Team
Pricing
Our payment structure is based on our monthly renewing membership. This allows all of our A-Team climbers to be members of the ASCEND community. Once you register for the team, however, you are locked in for the entire duration of the season.
• Once Per Week = $136/month
• Twice Per Week = $238/month
• Thrice Per Week = $306/month
• COMP, Thrice Per Week = $357/month
◦ participation in USAC National competitions may incur additional fees
We understand that the sport of climbing can be a financial commitment and we seek to minimize as many obstacles to participation as we can. To that end, we have an Equity + Outreach Fund that can be utilized to financially support A-Team climbers. To learn more, please visit the Financial Assistance page of our website.
A-Team
Registration Process
ASCEND Youth Climbing Team Registration Guide
Before You Start
Read through this guide before starting your registration.
Choose a membership plan: 1x/week, 2x/week, or 3x/week.
Make sure your child is listed in your ASCEND account household (you can add them during registration if needed).
Step 1 — Buy the A-Team Membership (per child)
Go to the A-Team registration link for your preferred facility and number of sessions/week.
Select the team level (REC, INT, or ADV) and add your child.
When prompted, select your child from your Existing Household.
If your child isn’t listed, click + Add New Customer, add their info, then return and select them.
Important: A membership holds your spot only temporarily. You must pick practice day(s) in Step 2 to finalize.
Step 2 — Watch for the Email to Finalize Registration
After purchase, you’ll receive an email with links to finish registration.
Open the email and click the link for your preferred facility (South Side, Point Breeze, or Erie).
Didn’t get the email?
Check your spam/junk folder.
Search for “ASCEND A-Team.”
Still no luck? Contact [email protected].
Step 3 — Pick Your Practice Day(s) to Lock In Your Spot
Follow the prompts in the emailed link based on your membership:
If you purchased 1x/week
Select your practice day for the season → Click Continue.
Choose your child from your household → Click Complete Booking.
✅ You’re done! You’ll receive a confirmation.
If you purchased 2x/week
Select your first practice day → Continue → Choose your child → Complete Booking.
Repeat to select your second practice day.
✅ You’re done! You’ll receive confirmations for both days.
If you purchased 3x/week
Repeat the process to select three practice days.
✅ You’re done! Watch for all three confirmations.
⚠️ First-come, first-served: Your spot is only guaranteed after you select your practice day(s) and complete booking.
ASCEND South Side Registration Links:
ASCEND Point Breeze Registration Links:
ASCEND Erie Registration Links:
COMP Team Registration Instructions:
Click the COMP Team Registration Link
– This will take you directly to the registration page.Add Your Participant
– Add 1 participant
– Select the first day of practice as the start date
– Click ContinueChoose Your Child
– Select your COMP Team climber from your household
– Answer the required questions
– Click ContinueComplete the A-Team Rules + Etiquette Form
– Fill out the document
– Click Checkout NowFinalize Payment
– Add your preferred payment method
– Click Pay Now
Youth Athlete
Evaluation and Placement Events
Interested in joining the A-Team but you haven't taken any intro classes? Are you an experienced youth climber looking to see what team level is right for you? A-Team coaches will be on hand to evaluate athletes, talk about team details, and recommend future actions. These sessions are for non-A-Team climbers looking to join the team. A-Team climbers receive seasonal progress reports for feedback and level changes.