Rates and Closures

All climbers must sign the La Vida Confidential Medical and Emergency Form as well as the Rock Gym Policies Form. If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian sign on your behalf. Signing these forms ensures you understand the risk involved with rock climbing as well as ensuring we keep a positive atmosphere in the Rock Gym.

If you have previously filled out the waiver, you can let a staff member know. They will confirm that we have it on file, and you do not have to fill it out a second time.

You do not need an appointment to climb during open gym hours. If you’d like to call the rock gym before arriving, you can do so at 978.867.4911. Please note that we do not have one person dedicated to the phones. If no one answers, staff are probably belaying someone. Please leave a message and they will call you back.

All climbers interested in belaying are strongly encouraged to take our belay class, whether they are brand new belayers or experienced climbers in need of a refresher. The class runs approximately 2 hours depending on the experience of the participants. Topics include equipment inspection and use, 10-point safety check, local operating procedures, rock gym policies and brake-ready belay technique.

The cost is $10 per person which covers the course, supervised practice as needed and the belay test. Belay tests typically happen a week or more after the initial class, depending on experience. Participants must be at least 14 years old to belay. Please visit the Rock Gym during Open Gym hours to sign up. Belay classes will be offered monthly based on the sign-up list.

Experienced belayers who are competent in the brake-ready belay method may opt to take a belay test during open gym.

Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. There is one wall dedicated to bouldering, and bouldering around the gym is encouraged as long as it does not interfere with a climber or belayer.

We recommend wearing athletic clothing that is comfortable and allows you to move and climb along the wall. Think function over fashion! Those with longer hair should have their hair pulled back if they are belaying so that it doesn’t get caught in the belay device. Sneakers can be worn for climbing or you can rent shoes for $1.

We offer private one on one instruction as well as semi-private lessons with no more than four students. These lessons are for individuals who want to learn to climb or improve their technique through personalized instruction and training. Learn more by visiting our lessons page.

You can use a membership pass on another person. Your membership card would receive one extra punch per guest, and you would lose that many personal passes.

Affiliates of Gordon College include staff, faculty, alumni, and the immediate family of staff, faculty, alumni, or current students.

The La Vida Rock Gym follows the guidance of the CDC as well as the practices at Gordon College. Students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are expected to follow guidelines set by the Massachusetts Department of Health if they are symptomatic or if they test positive for or are a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19.