If you are interested in hosting a USAC route setting clinic please download this information sheet.

HOSTING A PUBLIC LEVEL 1 CLINIC

A public Level 1 Clinic is ideal for larger climbing facilities, new gyms, and those interested in training a small number of their own route setting staff or volunteers and/or welcoming route setters from outside the facility. The facility pays a host fee directly to USAC which includes the participation cost (equivalent to $400) of four route setters. The host facility of a public Level 1 Clinic must be willing and able to accommodate up to 20 total route setters over a two day period.In order to host a Level 1 Clinic, a host facility must have significant roped and bouldering terrain, sufficient for hosting ABS and SCS local climbing competitions. Benefits to Host Facility: Host facility selects four local route setters to participate but also benefits from the work of other route setters joining the clinic, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, typically representing many gyms from around the US. For new climbing facilities, hosting a public Level 1 Clinic can be an excellent opportunity to create pre-opening buzz among the community and provide ownership and management a chance to evaluate route setters with the objective input of USAC. The value of the route and boulder problems produced, as a product (though varying depending on the region or facility) is typically estimated at between $600.00 and as much as $1,200.00. Clinic Duration: 2 days Host Fee: $800.00 (Includes participation of 4 host facility route setters, though each of these individuals must purchase the $55 USAC Route setter Membership). Public Level 1 Clinic Total Participants: 20 maximum (including the 4 host facility route setters). Participant Costs: $145 participant fee and mandatory $55 USAC Route setter Membership.

HOSTING A PRIVATE LEVEL 1 CLINIC

A private Level 1 Clinic is ideal for smaller climbing facilities and/or those interested in training their own route setting staff or volunteers. The gym pays a host fee directly to USAC which includes the participation cost of up to 8 route setters. These route setters are selected by the host facility directly and do not have to register for the clinic itself, but must register for a USAC Route setter Membership. Benefits to Host Facility: Host facility selects (up to) eight individual route setters to participate, with a primary focus on improving the route setting at the host facility. High instructor to participant ratio results in more hands-on time for route setters. Minimal impact on facility operations. Clinic Duration: 2 days Host Fee: $1,600.00 Private Level 1 Clinic Total Participants: 8 maximum Participant Costs: No individual participant fees, but mandatory $55 USAC Route setter Membership.

HOSTING A PUBLIC LEVEL 2 CLINIC

A Level 2 Clinic is ideal for Championship Level (Regional/Divisional/National) host facilities that are interested in training two or more of their own route setters, and providing a training ground for other route setters also seriously interested in becoming route setters for Championship Level USAC events. The facility pays a host fee directly to USAC which includes the participation cost (equivalent to $600) of two route setters. These two individual route setters are selected by the host facility directly and do not have to apply or register for the clinic itself, but must each purchase the $55 USAC Route setter Membership. All other route setters beyond the two host facility representatives, must apply for the clinic directly through USAC and are selected by the Chief Instructor. In any given year, typically two Level 2 Clinics will be held, in different regions, and host facilities will be chosen based on a combination of factors including the quality of their facility terrain and amenities, experience hosting USAC Championship level events, and location.To host a Level 2 Clinic, a host facility must have significant roped and bouldering terrain sufficient for hosting ABS and SCS Championship level competitions (Regional/Divisional/National). Benefits to Host Facility: Training of two host facility route setters and certification, upon their successful performance. High instructor to participant ratio (1:5) results in more hands-on time for route setters. The value of the route and boulder problems produced, as a product (though varying depending on the region or facility) is typically estimated at between $600.00 and as much as $1,200.00. Clinic Duration: 3 days Host Fee: $1,200.00 Public Level 2 Clinic Total Participants: 10 maximum (including two host facility route setters) Participant Costs: $300 participant fee and mandatory $55 USAC Route setter Membership.

Host facilities must have adequate additional resources, sufficient to accommodate the expected number of clinic participants.  These resources include ladders, working ropes, enough clean holds for route setting, and other equipment such as folding tables and chairs.  A host facility representative, such as the climbing gym owner, manager, or chief routesetter will be expected to communicate directly with the USAC Routesetting Instructor, to ensure adequate preparations are made for the clinic.

USAC Route setting Clinics are currently scheduled through the Route setting Committee Chairperson, Chris Danielson.  Private Level 1 Clinics can be scheduled at any time convenient for the host facility and when an Instructor is available.  Public Level 1 and Level 2 Clinics must be scheduled a minimum of 3 months in advance in order to provide time for USAC to announce and advertise, and for individual participants to register, or in the case of Level 2 Clinics, for individual participants to apply and their applications to be reviewed.  The goal of the USAC RCCP is to offer various Level 1 Clinics throughout the course of a given year with a schedule planned that offers opportunities for setters in as many regions as possible.  Generally, the RCCP will offer two Public Level 2 Clinics per year, in different regions.  Contact Chris at cdanielson@gthi.comfor more information or to schedule a clinic.

A host facility pays a host fee directly to USAC, in the form of a check or credit card, upon confirmation of the clinic.  This host fee varies depending on the clinic type and the number of participants represented from the facility included in the host fee, also depends on the clinic type.  Host facilities do not recoup the host fee costs by charging individual participants.

ALL participants beyond those included in the host fee must pay a separate participation fee (varies depending on clinic type) directly to USAC, and must purchase a $55 USA Climbing Route setter Membership.  This $55.00 membership cost for each individual is in addition to the gym host fee or any individual participant fees.

USAC Instructors are all Level 5 Certified Route setters with decades of combined experience.  All instructors are available for public and private clinics. Current Instructors are:

• Chris Danielson (USAC Level 5 Route setter; USAC RSC Chairman, IFSC Route setter)
• Molly Beard (USAC Level 5 Route setter; RSC Member)
• Mike Helt (USAC Level 5 Route setter; RSC Member)
• John Muse (USAC Level 5 Route setter)
• Luke Bertelsen  (USAC Level 5 Route setter)