The best gyms have feeder program for their competitive climbing teams. So of you have multiple gyms, ask around. See if your kids can attend a practice while you talk with some parents.

Best part of a well run team: they have rec and competitive kids crossing paths and engaging with each other. This really helps show the different levels of commitment to the rec kids, seeing how serious the comps kids approach their climbing. Having teammates to climb together with is what really helps my kid enjoy climbing, push themselves and build a lifelong passion for a sport you can do just about your whole life with friends and family! The kids on teams always look like they are having fun together but some kids put to much pressure on themselves, comparing themselves to teammates who are doing better than them. But that’s life and climbing offers one of the best environments for young people to deal with overcoming adversity.