Climbing is a popular choice for ​school, youth and community groups as a stand alone activity or part of an adventure day or camp.  Rock climbing can also be a great for a  corporate day or team building event.

First Step Outdoors operate at a wide range of locations - from indoor gyms to purpose-built walls to local crags - we can suit a venue to your needs (see below).

We are experienced in adaptive practice and can cater for clients who require additional aids and support to help them climb. 

We can tailor a programme to suit your needs and budget. Please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Contact us

What we offer

​Skills Sessions, Training & Workshops

For those who want more of an educational experience, we can offer a  challenging programme that incorporate some, or all of the following:

• belay skills
• knot workshops
• bouldering and climbing techniques
• anchor construction
• personal safety  workshops. 

​Team Building

Unit Standards

For groups who want more team involvement; we can run a ‘group belay’ system where all members of the team are clipped into the rope and are involved in the safety of the climber - a great team building activity, with everyone ‘hands on’ and involved.

​For Unit Standards, we can deliver and assess, or support your school if you have consent to assess. We are an authorized and registered Adventure Activity Operator with Worksafe, and our Safety Audit is Certified by AdventureMark.

Locations

Pirongia Forest Park Lodge

Pirongia Forest Park Lodge has its own climbing wall - approximately  9 meters tall and made by the NZ Navy about 30 years ago when the Lodge was built.  It was a feat of engineering of its time, tonnes of sprayed concrete onto a huge steel girder buried deep into the side of the mountain.
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Suitable for all ages, the wall has two climbing areas: beginner to intermediate and intermediate to advanced. A great, safe, location that can be run rain or shine, to learn some new climbing skills.

Karamu Crag

If you are looking for outdoor climbing in a stunning location - then Karamu Crag is for you!  Set on local farmland - this little bit of climbing paradise is a neat little limestone crag.  A great venue for both beginner and intermediate climbers - suitable for ages 10 and up.  Incorporating both knot and belay workshops - we will have groups climbing up in no time!

​This activity is usually run with Karamu Abseil and is the climbing element of our best adventure day “Karamu Adventure” - climb/abseil/cave.

Wharepapa Rock

Wharepapa Rock, an amazing ignimbrite rock area in Wharepapa South. With a wide range of climbs to suit all abilities, it is a great location for both school, youth and adult groups alike. Suits ages 10 plus - in particular teenage and adult groups.  A fantastic location for learning, training and fun. 

Easy drive from Epworth and Lake Karapiro.