Does scaling a 30-foot wall sound like a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your family? Well, we were on yet another quest in search of a fun, family activity focused on fitness—and one that meets our age requirements, of course! I must say, it is not easy to find new, family-centered activities that are geared towards both preschoolers and teens, so when we discovered Reality Climbing, we thought, “Why not give it a try?” Reality Climbing is an indoor rock climbing facility located just off Senoia Road, on the border of Peachtree City and Tyrone.

Upon entering the facility for the first time, we are awestruck! I watch my children as they take in the scene—the sheer size of the rock walls is rather extraordinary. My first impression is that the facility is top-notch; everything looks very professional, modern, and safe. But as a mother with over 16 years of “worst-case-scenario” thoughts packed in her brain, I, of course, immediately start to worry. I wonder, will the ropes hold? Will my little girl take this particular opportunity to push off the wall and try to fly around the facility like Tinker Bell? Or, what if one of the kids can’t do this? Will they be forever scarred, only to bring it up at Thanksgiving dinner 2017—you know, about the time Mom “made” them go rock climbing? Or, Heaven forbid, what if I’m the only one in the family that can’t make it to the top? Now that’s a serious concern and a definite possibility.

As we make our way around the room, I find out that the walls have been constructed in accordance with CWIG (Climbing Wall Industry Group) standards, the highest standards in place today. Ropes, harnesses, and other key equipment used are rated to hold loads well over 500 pounds. So, after taking a brief look around and talking with Nicole, the owner of Reality Climbing, my motherly anxiety is calmed.

Now we are off to get geared up. First they fit us for climbing shoes. Very cool-looking shoes with pointed toes that give you that extra feel for the rock AND a great deal of confidence, I realize. Much to the chagrin of our teenage son, just the sheer, light feel of the shoes inspired a little Jed Clampett-style jig from his dad. (If we can’t be a little embarrassing to our teenagers, then what’s the point of it all, right?)

The staff then helps with the positioning and fitting of our harnesses. They check and double-check that everyone is outfitted properly. Now that we’re suited up like pros, it’s time to climb. So, who’s first? With an uncertain feeling about whether we can make it to the top, we look to the ones with less fragile egos. Our youngest son bravely steps up to the plate and volunteers. As he ascends the wall, my husband and I start giving him words of encouragement. Then the strangest thing happens. His siblings start cheering him on. Gone is the usual competitiveness. Gone is the sibling rivalry. And in their place, a smidgen of family team building and bonding takes hold—something quite unexpected, refreshing, and a bit warm and fuzzy.

Next up, our youngest and barely 5-year-old daughter. We were pretty sure she would have no problem with the wall, since she has mastered climbing the doorframes in our home. To the cheers of “Go, spidey-girl,” she is up the wall in no time flat. The same for our teenage son, who even experiences the more challenging walls and routes, and notes that it is all “quite a workout.” Next, my husband zips up the wall and rings the bell with great ease.
Okay, now it’s my turn. Oh, the agony . . . my mind flashes to the skier spiraling out of control over the ski jump at the start of the old ABC’s Wide World of Sports show. I try to build my confidence—I think, “I got up to a whole 12 minutes yesterday on my new elliptical! Maybe I can do this.” As I started climbing and heard the wonderful encouragement of my family, I knew there was no way that I was going to be the only one in the family that didn’t get that bell rung. It was actually quite fun, and not too physically demanding for an out of shape 30 . . . well OK, 40-something-year-old mom.

All of us had a great time, and we literally had to pull our little ones off the walls and promise them that we would bring them back another time. We learned on this adventure that climbing is a fun, physical activity that is truly a great way to spend time with family.

Reality Climbing offers a challenging, yet supportive atmosphere for beginner and seasoned climbers alike. With 2,100 square feet of textured climbing terrain reaching heights of up to 30 feet, a 20-foot rappel tower, cave climbing, party room, foosball, and even camps, Reality Climbing is the perfect locale for group gatherings of all kinds.