AFFINITY GROUPS
Queer Climb Madison
Queer Climb Madison (QCM) is a community of LGBTQ+ people in the Madison area who enjoy climbing. They host monthly Queer Climbing Socials at Madison-area climbing gyms. These events are drop-in, so you don’t need to register or contact anyone beforehand—just show up!
QCM meets at GH the 3rd Sunday of each month from 6-9PM. These meetings are free for members and $10 for guests (includes rental equipment).
To get connected and learn more about QCM, visit their Facebook page here.
Madison Women Climbers
Madison Women Climbers (MWC) is a group for women of all climbing abilities and skillsets. The group supports women (cis and transgender), femmes, and non-binary or gender non-conforming folks who feel comfortable in spaces that center around the experiences of women. Their socials are drop-in, so you don’t need to register or contact anyone before hand—just show up!
MWC meets at GH the 2nd Sunday of odd numbered months from 6-9PM. These meetings are free for members and $10 for guests (includes rental equipment).
Learn more on their website here and join their email list here.
Silver Senders
Silver Senders is a welcoming group at Greater Heights for climbers aged 50+ of all skill levels—from never-climbed-before to returning experts. Come for community, confidence, and a low-pressure environment to try climbing or get back into it. No registration or experience necessary. Just drop in during the meeting period!
Silver Senders meets every other Monday from 6-8PM. These meetings are free for members and $22 for guests (includes rental equipment).
Upcoming meetings: July 13th, July 27th, August 10th, August 24th, and September 7th
Climb to Recovery
Climb to Recovery provides climbing opportunities to people either in recovery or those seeking recovery. The group intentionally keeps their definition broad, because they want to be inclusive of anyone identifying as recovering from any type of addiction—whether it be video games, food, gambling, drugs or alcohol (most of the group). The group aims to give people in recovery a safe place where they can find a fun way to work out and take care of themselves.
Climb to Recovery meets at GH the 1st Sunday of each month from 7-9PM. These meetings are free for members and $10 for guests (includes rental equipment).
To get connected and learn more about Climb to Recovery, visit their Facebook page here.
Wisconsin Adaptive Climbing
Wisconsin Adaptive Climbing, a project of Madison Central Lions Club, empowers participants to break barriers, embrace challenges, and experience the joy of inclusion in the rock climbing community. What to expect:
Improve Physical Fitness: Climbing challenges muscles, coordination, and mobility, increasing strength and flexibility.
Promote a Sense of Community: Our adaptive climbing program provides a space where individuals with disabilities can connect with peers and participate alongside non-disabled climbers in an environment that emphasizes collaboration and encouragement.
Raise Awareness: Inclusive climbing events and programs educate the public about persons with disabilities and help to break down stereotypes.
Wisconsin Adaptive Climbing meets on the last Sunday of each month 4:00-6:00PM
To get in contact and find out more information about Wisconsin Adaptive Climbing contact the team at: wisconsinadaptiveclimbing@gmail.com
UpENDing Parkinson’s
Up ENDing Parkinsons (UEP) is a nonprofit organization that provides guided climbing experiences for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease. Rock climbing provides a myriad of benefits to people with Parkinson’s, like: strengthening fine motor skills, decreasing stiffness, and improving coordination.
Our UEP group meets every Tuesday from 9:00-10:30AM. Registration is required for their meetings. These meetings are free for members and $10 for guests (includes rental equipment). To register for a meet up, please do so here.
**If you are interested in volunteer belaying for the group, please email our lead volunteer Lisa (lisaszela@gmail.com). There is no minimum time commitment—volunteer once, a few times, or every week!
Latino Outdoors Wisconsin
Latino Outdoors is a national organization that connects comunidades with outdoor experiences, conservation, and environmental education. Join the newly established Wisconsin chapter for a session of (indoor) climbing and community! Meetings are open to all experience levels, but registration is required to attend.
Spring 2026 Meetings: March 29th (2-4PM), April 20th (7-9PM), May 24th (2-4PM). Free for registrants (register here; includes rental equipment).
