Athletics, Fitness & Outdoor Programs

Division of Student Life

Rock Climbing: Independent

Instructor: Will Symms

Independent Climbing at Reed College requires students to climb independently on students’ own time. Independent Climbing is considered a non-instructional course.

Below are course requirements: 

1. Students can only have (2) credits of non-instructional coursework out of their (6) total PE requirements for graduation. Example: Student takes(2) credits of Independent PE. The other (4) credits of coursework need to have instruction and guidance.

2. A fee is billed to the students account for a (7) week unlimited climbing pass to Circuit Bouldering Gym/Portland Rock Gym (PRG). *Fee course structure ranges from $85-$150 depending on the gym for a membership. Climbing at the Reed Climbing Wall is Free.

3. Students must climb a minimum of (2) days of 45min or (1) day of 1.5 hours. Additional climbing is encouraged. The more you climb the better you become.

4. An online Google document will be shared with the students so they can keep their attendance log. It is the responsibility of the student to keep the attendance sheet up to date. If students fail to log their attendance when grades are due they will have a failing grade. Keep your attendance up to date.

5. No transportation available to gyms.

Any questions please see Will Symms for further information. He can be reached via phone 503-777-7232 / email or by seeing him in the Outdoor Center located in the Reed College Sports Center.

* Mandatory First meeting - first Wednesday of new quarter 5pm in the Outdoor Center 

Please take note: Students are only allowed to receive a maximum COMBINED of two (2) of the nondirected/guided PE classes. These include Off-Campus PE, Meditation, Swim Fitness, Independent Climb, Community Engagement, and Running Club/Running Outdoors. Once a student earns 2 credits in any of these classes any additional classes in this category will not be counted towards their six (6) total required for graduation. 

After earning two (2) nondirected/guided PE credits students are welcome to continue to take any of these classes as they prefer but will not earn additional credit.-- but otherwise you can take as many of the directed classes as you'd like!