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nsc516
Apr 7, 2008, 2:36 AM
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I run an outdoor climbing tower at a day camp. Our kids absolutely love to get timed when climbing the tower. We have an ongoing scoreboard. Does anyone know of a better way to time my climbers? We use a stopwatch but the times get very close to each other. Sometimes we don't have an extra adult to time them. Can I retrofit a track and field timer?
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zeke_sf
Apr 7, 2008, 3:34 AM
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durp
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nsc516
Apr 7, 2008, 4:07 AM
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Yeah I don't climb like you guys do but I work hard to get kids excited about climbing. I believe that climbing is an excellent form of exercise and challenge for our youth. I really would appreciate only serious replies.
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shoo
Apr 7, 2008, 4:14 AM
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I ran one of these things and had the same situation. What I found was that it was usually better to not have the kids race and concentrate on increased difficulty or a new challenge of some kind. This also fostered a better "team building" atmosphere so kids are cheering each other on and so on. If you're set on doing a timer, you can put some kind of signal at the top that they have to hit, like an airhorn or something. If you're more serious about this, get someone who knows a thing or two about electronics to rig up a couple of buttons to relays and a timing circuit. It's actually pretty easy.
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zeke_sf
Apr 7, 2008, 4:24 AM
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nsc516 wrote: Yeah I don't climb like you guys do but I work hard to get kids excited about climbing. I believe that climbing is an excellent form of exercise and challenge for our youth. I really would appreciate only serious replies. It seems like you have your own answer is all I am saying. When I was in 4th grade we'd hold races amongst ourselves we had timed to the nanosecond. 4th graders, dude....
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nsc516
Apr 7, 2008, 7:56 PM
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zeke_sf wrote: It seems like you have your own answer is all I am saying. When I was in 4th grade we'd hold races amongst ourselves we had timed to the nanosecond. 4th graders, dude.... Let me rephrase what I'm looking for. I need a more accurate way. Yes, I can continue using a stopwatch and have it to the nanosecond but it is hard for the person on the ground to see 35 feet up. I'm looking for some sort of commercial system even if its not intended for this use.
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nsc516
Apr 7, 2008, 8:00 PM
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Shoo, I'm going to ask my maintenance guy about that on Friday. Thank you.
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altelis
Apr 7, 2008, 8:22 PM
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i directed a climbing camp for a summer and lead wilderness climbing trips with high schoolers bottom line is that, in the end, you will foster a much more supportive and dynamic learning environment WITHOUT the timing focus on other, "better", objectives
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zeke_sf
Apr 7, 2008, 8:24 PM
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nsc516 wrote: zeke_sf wrote: It seems like you have your own answer is all I am saying. When I was in 4th grade we'd hold races amongst ourselves we had timed to the nanosecond. 4th graders, dude.... Let me rephrase what I'm looking for. I need a more accurate way. Yes, I can continue using a stopwatch and have it to the nanosecond but it is hard for the person on the ground to see 35 feet up. I'm looking for some sort of commercial system even if its not intended for this use. Ah. Makes more sense when you rephrased it. If you want to go economical, maybe put a bell on one side and a horn on the other? To me, the previous suggestion of upping the difficulty or something would make the most sense if the results are getting that close, but it's your show. How about adding on a downclimb if that is feasible? That way you'd be right there when they finished and they'd become tenacious little climber beasts?
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shoo
Apr 7, 2008, 8:37 PM
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altelis wrote: i directed a climbing camp for a summer and lead wilderness climbing trips with high schoolers bottom line is that, in the end, you will foster a much more supportive and dynamic learning environment WITHOUT the timing focus on other, "better", objectives Quoted for truth. As I said earlier, you're probably better off not doing the timing thing. Camp climbing towers are generally teamwork and bonding experiences. Timing encourages personal experiences which are meaningless in the end. You aren't looking to make this a competition. Obviously, it's your program. But when I was in your shoes, I did everything I could to make it a meaningful experience for the kids rather than just a fun activity.
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acorneau
Apr 7, 2008, 8:51 PM
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You want something like this: http://www.ies-1.com/...t%20down%20timer.htm You can easily add a large button to stop the counter. Climber starts climbing after they hit the button on the timer, hits the remote button at the top. Best time "wins". Edited for better link.
(This post was edited by acorneau on Apr 7, 2008, 8:55 PM)
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coastal_climber
Apr 7, 2008, 9:43 PM
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You could install a bell at the top... >Cam
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jakedatc
Apr 7, 2008, 11:08 PM
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Could check into the timers they use for swimming. I think they have a pressure plate for the blocks and a pad for the end for finishing. might be pricey though. waterproof though!
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jdefazio
Apr 8, 2008, 12:11 AM
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zeke_sf wrote: When I was in 4th grade we'd hold races amongst ourselves we had timed to the nanosecond. 4th graders, dude.... Sorry dude, but you did no such thing.
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ctardi
Apr 12, 2008, 4:19 AM
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Extreme Engineering used to make one, I took a quick browse through their site, and didn't see it right away. You might want to consider giving them a call though, very nice people down there! http://extremeengineering.com
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