Name: NICAS Climbing Course – Rock Up Watford
Start: 2026-11-02T10:30:00+00:00
End: 2027-01-18T12:30:00+00:00
Location: Unit 106/108, The Harlequin Shopping Centre, Watford WD17 2UB, UK

NICAS Climbing Course – Rock Up Watford

A 10-week NICAS Clip climbing course exclusively for Home Educated children aged 6+, with the same group meeting every Monday at Rock Up Watford.

Arrive from 10.30am for a relaxed start before the instructor-led climbing course from 11am–12.30pm. Parents don’t need to be in the climbing arena, and families can stay afterwards for soft play, lunch, chatting or a little learning together.

£159 per climber for the full 10-week course.

This package has been specially arranged by Events4Kids with Rock Up Watford for Home Educating families. The price includes all Events4Kids administration, booking management and transaction fees, as well as soft play for climbers and accompanying siblings for the duration of your visit.

Course dates

November 2026

• Monday 2 November
• Monday 9 November
• Monday 16 November
• Monday 23 November
• Monday 30 November

December 2026

• Monday 7 December
• Monday 14 December

January 2027

• Monday 11 January
• Monday 18 January
• Monday 25 January

There are no sessions over the Christmas break.

How the morning works

From 10.30am – Relaxed arrival

Arrive from 10.30am and give the children time to meet up and use the soft play before climbing begins. It also means there’s no panic if you arrive a few minutes later than planned.

11am–12.30pm – NICAS climbing course

Briefing, harnessing and instructor-led climbing with Rock Up’s team.

Parents do not need to supervise or be in the climbing arena, so you can have a coffee, chat with other parents or stay with younger siblings.

After 12.30pm – Stay as long as you like

There’s no need to leave when climbing finishes. Families can continue using the soft play, have lunch or a drink in the café, or use the tables to sit together, chat, read or do some learning.

Because the same Home Ed group will meet every Monday for 10 weeks, children also have a real opportunity to get to know each other rather than attending a series of unrelated sessions.

What’s included

Your £159 booking covers all 10 weeks and includes:

• 10 instructor-led NICAS Clip climbing sessions
• Progress recorded and signed off in a logbook
• Badges and certificates as children progress
• Soft play for climbers aged up to 8 years old for the duration of your visit
• Soft play for accompanying siblings (upto age 8) at no extra cost
• Use of the seating and tables before and after climbing
• Events4Kids booking, organisation and administration

Soft play only

Families are also welcome to join the Home Ed morning without booking the climbing course.

Soft play only: £7 per child per session booked on a separate link TBC

A great option for younger children who would still like to be part of the weekly Home Ed meet-up.

About the course

NICAS Clip is a structured climbing programme for children aged 6+, leading to a nationally accredited climbing qualification.

Over the 10 weeks, children will develop their climbing skills, technique and confidence with Rock Up’s instructors, with their progress recorded and signed off as they work through the programme.

Important information

• Climbers must be aged 6+
• Climbing places are for the full 10-week course and cannot be booked individually
• Missed sessions cannot be refunded
• Every climber under 18 needs a waiver signed by a responsible adult aged 18+
• The climbing arena and soft play are not exclusive to Events4Kids
• Outside food and drink cannot be brought into Rock Up
• Food and drinks are available to purchase from the onsite café

Book once, then simply turn up each Monday. The organising is already done for you.

Venue Info

Unit 106/108, The Harlequin Shopping Centre, Watford WD17 2UB, UK

View on Map

Organiser

Emma

Co-Founder

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is the climbing course for?

The course is for Home Educated children aged 6+ (or those turning 6 during the course)

Does my child need any climbing experience?

No. Beginners are very welcome and no previous climbing experience is needed.

What is NICAS?

NICAS is a structured climbing programme which allows children to develop their climbing skills and record their progress. During the 10 weeks, progress will be recorded and signed off in their logbook, with badges and certificates as they progress.

Do parents need to go into the climbing arena?

No. This group is instructor-led, so parents do not need to supervise in the climbing arena. You’ll be able to stay elsewhere in Rock Up, have a coffee, chat with other Home Ed parents or spend time with younger siblings in the soft play area.

What happens each Monday?

We’ll have a relaxed arrival from 10.30am, giving the children time to meet up and use the soft play before the course begins. The NICAS session runs from 11am–12.30pm, including briefing, harnessing and instructor-led climbing. Afterwards, there’s no need to rush home. You’re welcome to stay, use the soft play, have lunch or a drink in the café, or use the tables to chat, read or do some learning.

Is soft play included for the climbers?

Yes. For those aged up to 8 Climbers can use the soft play before and after their climbing session with no two-hour limit while your family remains at Rock Up.

What about younger siblings?

If you have a child booked onto the climbing course, accompanying siblings up to age 8 can use the soft play completely free of charge for the duration of your visit. This means younger children can be part of the morning too rather than missing out while their older sibling climbs.

Can I book individual climbing sessions instead of the full course?

No. Climbing places for this event are for the full 10-week NICAS course rather than individual sessions. This also means the children will be climbing with the same group each week, giving them a chance to get to know each other over the 10 weeks.

What happens if we miss a week?

Rock Up and Events4Kids are not able to offer refunds for sessions missed by an individual child.

What should my child wear?

Comfortable clothes suitable for climbing are best. Climbers need closed-toe footwear, such as trainers. Open-toed shoes cannot be worn in the climbing arena, and long hair must be tied back.

Do I need to complete a waiver?

Yes. Every climber under 18 will need a waiver signed by a responsible adult aged 18+. Details will be provided before the course begins.

Is the climbing arena or soft play exclusive to our group?

No. The Events4Kids Home Ed group will have its own organised climbing course, but the wider climbing and soft-play areas will remain open to other Rock Up customers.

My child has SEND or needs additional support. Can they take part?

Rock Up welcomes children with additional needs and aims to make its climbing sessions inclusive. If your child may need additional support or adjustments, please note this when booking so we can discuss their needs with Rock Up and make sure the session will be suitable for them.

Can we bring our own lunch?

No. Rock Up does not allow outside food or drink to be brought onto the premises. Food and drinks can be purchased from the Rock Up café, so families can stay for lunch after climbing if they wish.

Where is Rock Up Watford?

Rock Up is inside Atria Watford, Watford town centre. The closest car park is Kings Car Park. Watford High Street railway station is within walking distance, and Watford Junction is also nearby with local bus connections to the shopping centre.

Date : November 2, 2026 - January 18, 2027
Time : 10:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London)
Venue : Unit 106/108, The Harlequin Shopping Centre, Watford WD17 2UB, UK

Tickets

From £159