The A
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The A (including the Midwest Climbing Academy) is a highly dedicated facility focused on developing children's climbing abilities and critical life skills, such as confidence, social aptitude, and physical strength. It offers a progressively challenging and engaging environment, with options ranging from casual visits for 'little ones' to long-term team training for serious climbers. The unique value proposition lies in its holistic approach to child development, fostering not just physical prowess but also mental and social growth in a supportive, kid-centric community.
Key Highlights
- ✓Staff and coaches are consistently described as incredibly friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and caring (Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
- ✓Strong emphasis on building confidence, health, and life skills through climbing, going beyond just physical training (Reviews 2, 3, 4).
- ✓Provides a range of climbing challenges that gradually increase in difficulty, catering to beginners and allowing for significant skill development (Review 1, 4).
- ✓The 'Midwest Climbing Academy' portion of the facility is specifically dedicated to kids, creating a child-exclusive environment for focused development (Review 3).
- ✓Coaches take a genuine interest in the kids' lives, acting as mentors and fostering a supportive community (Review 3, 4).
- ✓Effective at helping kids overcome personal challenges, such as social anxiety, by building comfort around others (Review 4).
Standout Features
- ⭐Large facility with a fun design that offers 'a lot more to do' than just a basic rock wall (Review 1).
- ⭐Highly knowledgeable and friendly staff who are deeply invested in child development (Reviews 2, 3, 4).
- ⭐Programs and activities designed to build health, confidence, and social skills in addition to climbing ability (Reviews 2, 3, 4).
- ⭐Flexibility for visitors to either take classes or sign up for single-day visits with friends and family (Review 5).
- ⭐The 'Midwest Climbing Academy' offers personal attention and a dedicated, child-focused environment (Review 3).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Pay close attention to directions or look for photos of the entrance, as it can be 'a little tricky to find' (Review 1).
- →If you are interested in a program where adults can climb with kids or host a birthday party, confirm if the specific area/program you're visiting allows it, as the 'Midwest Climbing Academy' does not (Review 3).
- →Consider the 'Academy team' programs for children seeking significant, long-term climbing skill development and personal growth (Reviews 3, 4).
Things to Consider
- ⚠The building entrance can be tricky to find, despite being marked (Review 1).
- ⚠The 'Midwest Climbing Academy' program explicitly does not allow adults to climb and does not host birthday parties, which could be a limitation for some families (Review 3).
Price & Value
Prices were described as 'fair' for the overall experience (Review 1). The value appears high, especially for families seeking long-term skill development and holistic growth, given the significant positive impact on children's confidence, social skills, and physical ability (Reviews 2, 3, 4). No specific pricing details or hidden costs were mentioned.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food or drink rules were mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific parking information was provided, only that the building entrance itself can be tricky to locate (Review 1).
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific information about crowd levels or peak times was mentioned.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features were mentioned, but the presence of knowledgeable and caring staff/coaches implicitly suggests a focus on safety within the climbing environment (Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you specifically wish to host a birthday party at the 'Midwest Climbing Academy' (Review 3).
- • If parents want to actively climb alongside their children within the 'Midwest Climbing Academy' dedicated program area (Review 3).
- • If you dislike having to search for an entrance, as it can be confusing (Review 1).
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Monthly Membership
$55Duration: Monthly
Membership for access to the facility.
Includes:
- •24/7 key card access
Annual Membership (2025 Sale)
$389.82+tax ($425.00)Duration: March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026
Limited-time annual membership available only during March 2025. Membership starts on day of purchase.
Includes:
- •FREE T-Shirt
- •24/7 key card access
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
FREE Open Hours (March 2025)
Every Tuesday in March from 5-7:30pm; Wednesday 3/5 2-5pm; Friday 3/7 3-6pm; Sunday 3/9 3-6pm; Thursday 3/13 5:30-8pm; Sunday 3/16 5-8pm; Thursday 3/20 5-8pm; Friday 3/21 3-6pm; Saturday 3/22 2-5pm; Sunday 3/23 2-5pm; Thursday 3/27 5-8pm; Saturday 3/29 2-5pm; Sunday 3/30 4-7pm (or by appointment for annual membership payment drop-off)
FREE
Sessions for curious climbers to check out the gym and for annual membership payment drop-off. Dates are subject to change.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All participants must agree to the Waiver, Release, and Participation Agreement.
- • Participation in Climbing Activities has inherent risks and dangers, potentially resulting in injury or death.
- • Injuries can result from falling off walls, skin contact with surfaces or ropes, activities near climbing areas, acts/omissions of others, equipment failure/misuse, or failure to follow instructions.
- • Climbing holds are a convenience, not a safety feature, and can break.
- • Participants expressly assume all risks associated with Climbing Activities.
- • COVID-19 Risk Assumption: All individuals coming into contact with others in the Facilities assume personal responsibility for the risks of participation. The A cannot guarantee against exposure or infection.
- • Participants must be in proper physical and mental condition; must notify The A and cease participation if condition changes.
- • Participants must comply with all posted facility rules, website rules, and instructions from instructors and staff.
📅Booking Policy
- • To become a member, fill out an application form on the Membership page.
- • For Annual Memberships, payment must be dropped off during specified Open Hours or by appointment.
- • A new waiver must be on file for all members before entering the facility.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 10 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Matthew Jensen
8 years agoI am not much of a rock climber so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I went here with my little one and had a great time. The prices were fair, and the experience was great. The staff was friendly and helpful. I also thought the facility had plenty to do. My little one had only been to a rock wall at a large gym. This had a lot more to do and lots of things that gradually challenged her. I liked to see her pushing and learning while having a lot of fun. The building is very large and has a fun design but it can be a little weird to find the entrance. It is marked but I thought it was a little tricky to find. I took a photo of it and included it in the review.
Chris Arnett
7 years agoMy son has been climbing with most of these coaches for years. When they opened the academy a few years back, we were ecstatic. Climbing has done wonders for his health and confidence. The entire staff here is incredible... So friendly and knowledgeable. Their primary focus is to build strong and confident kids through climbing... And they are executing on that. Full disclosure, my son loves this place so much, he is training to become a coach.!
Sean McEligot
10 years agoThe Midwest Climbing Academy is a great place for kids to develop their climbing skills and their life skills. The coaches care deeply about teaching kids to climb and helping them grow stronger physically and mentally. The Academy is all about developing kids -- they don't let adults climb there and they don't do birthday parties. My son has become a much, much better climber over the last year by being on the Academy team and getting the personal attention of all of the coaches. He chooses to climb with the Academy because he sees the benefit in his climbing and respects the coaches. All the kids really seem to have fun; they get tired but they have fun.
Adam Arnett
7 years agoI was on the team here for about three years, and over those three years my climbing ability skyrocketed. My coaches were all fantastic and took a genuine interest in my life. In addition to building my climbing skill, being on team here also helped me overcome social anxiety. I really struggled with it as a kid and this helped me become more comfortable around people because everyone was so friendly here.
Sophia T
6 years agoSuper fun! I enjoyed it alot. You can take classes, or just sign up to go once with friends and family. I definitely recommend you go. The workers were also very nice, I hope I can come back!
Contact Information
575 SE 9th St #60, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
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