Makes sure instructors have thorough knowledge of safety practices, equipment use and maintenance, and technique.

Reviews the rules and operating procedures with the girls before each session.

Makes sure the safety rules are written, understood, practiced, and posted at the site.

Secures all equipment in a dry, locked storage area.

Makes sure girls and adults avoid wearing jewelry, especially pierced earrings, looped earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in contact sports or where jewelry may become entangled in equipment.

Makes sure a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those for emergency rescue ser vices and the police, is posted or carried by the adult in charge.

Teaches girls to take shelter away from tall objects in a storm with lightning and thunder. Find the lowest point in an open flat area.. Squat low to the ground on the balls of the feet. Have girls place their hands on their knees with their heads between them. Instruct girls to make themselves the smallest targets possible and to minimize their contact with the ground.

An instructor with documented experience, indicating competence in equipment maintenance, safety and rescue techniques, group processing techniques, proper use of the course and hands-on training directly supervises the group. The instructor has provided written documentation of the completed training.

There is a regular process of review and update for all instructors.

A minimum of two instructors are present.

The instructor/participant ratios are as follow:

Instructors are skilled in selecting appropriate activities, teaching and supervising spotting and belaying techniques and modifying tasks to provide an appropriate experience for the ages and skill levels in the group.

Before use, instructors inspect all equipment, course components, and landing areas in the activity area.

A set of readiness and action commands are taught to all participants for climbing, spotting, and belaying.

All participants utilize muscle warm-up and stretching activities before beginning physical activities.

Instructors describe the objectives, safety procedures, and hazards to the participants before beginning an activity. A debriefing follows the activity.

Spotting techniques are taught, demonstrated, and practiced by participants prior to any climbing/ challenge course activity. All activities are appropriately spotted.

For activities where partners are needed, instructors match participants according to size and skill level, if appropriate.

Instructors supervise all tie-ins, belays, and climbs on the high ropes course and climbing sites and spotting on the low elements course and bouldering sites.

Participants are not stacked more than three levels high vertically (in a pyramid, for example) on each other at any time. No one should stand in the middle of someone else’s back.

All equipment used for belaying -  ropes, webbing, harnesses, hard ware, helmets - is designed, tested, and manufactured for the purpose of this type of activity and appropriate for the size of the user. A chest harness with seat harness or full body harness is recommended for younger girls when climbing.

Climbing helmets that have the UIAA-approved label (Union of International Alpine Association) must be worn for all climbing situations where the participant is more than six feet off the ground. This includes outdoor climbing, bouldering, rappelling, and high ropes on challenge courses. They are not needed indoors unless required by the facility operator. It is recommended that a disposable liner, such as a shower cap or surgical cap, be worn underneath the helmet to protect against the spread of head lice.

Participants on multi-pitch climbing routes carry their own water, sunscreen, raingear, food, and clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.

There is a documented maintenance schedule and periodic inspection of all artificial structures and equipment used in the activities by instructors and outside professionals. A use log is kept on all equipment subject to stress, wear and deterioration. A written equipment monitoring and retirement process is established and followed. The records are retained.

All instructors and participants wear sturdy shoes. Long pants are recommended for activities when skin abrasions on legs are possible (i.e., going over a log or wall on a challenge course). Loose clothing, especially around the head and neck, should be avoided.

All sharp objects, jewelry and watches should be removed and pockets emptied. Long hair is pulled back from the face and fastened under the helmet to prevent tangling.

Permits and permission requests are filed as required for climbing sites and facilities.

All permanent structures and the belaying system are planned and constructed by experienced individuals.

Plans and procedures are established to avoid unauthorized use of the site, structures, and equipment. The artificial climbing site and challenge courses site must be posted to warn against unauthorized use.

When climbing and rappelling in natural areas, clean climbing techniques are taught and practiced.

A first-aider, level 1, is present. A first-aider, level 2, is present for high ropes courses and multi-pitch climbing.

A first-aid kit is available along with rescue equipment appropriate to the activity.

On natural rock climbs, a climbing plan, including an alternate route, if appropriate, is filed with local authorities and a back-home contact. The authorities and the back- home contact person are notified upon departure and return. Be prepared to alter the climbing plan if weather conditions change.

Specialized safety and rescue procedures are planned and practiced to ensure the ability to remove a participant from a high ropes, rappelling, or climbing situation. A sharp knife, hardware, and extra rope of appropriate length for rescue is available at the site.

Emergency transportation is available.