Bouldering Classes

INSTRUCTOR

Besides her experience climbing trees, and anything else she could as a child, Kim started exclusively climbing rocks in 2018, when she took the Climbing Class at Grand Valley State University. She studied English and Secondary Education to become an English Teacher, and moved to Colorado Springs, CO after graduating in 2022. Kim realized how passionate she was about Outdoor Education and climbing, so she quit traditional teaching, and began teaching climbing at her gym in the Springs in January of 2025. Kim returned to Grand Rapids in May of 2025, and began coaching at Terra Firma in September of 2025, where she worked at the front desk in her senior year of college. Kim loves sharing her love of climbing with the Tree Frogs, participants in the Adult Classes and private classes as well. Her favorite parts about climbing are the mental and physical puzzles, the ability to always get stronger, and the social aspect, as she has met some of her best friends through climbing.

INSTRUCTOR

Jesse started climbing in 2008 Bozeman, MT. They have an Art Education Degree, and in 2020 shifted from teaching people how to hold a paintbrush to how to hold onto the wall. Jesse loves to help climbers discover what they are capable of. Whether it's a climber's first day, or they've been climbing for years, Jesse wants to show them how to push past doubt and find confidence. They are also the Head Setter, and love setting routes that give people chances to explore creative movement. They currently coach Tree Frogs, Teen Climbing Club, and assist with adult classes and Meet-Ups.  They are always willing to give advice or some encouragement. Outside of Terra Firma, you'll find Jesse bird watching around West Michigan and drawing in their sketchbook.

INSTRUCTOR

Matt is one of our Route Setters, Teen Club coaches, as well as Adult Climbing Class & Meet Up Instructors. With a Degree in Creative Advertising, Matt graduated from Michigan State. Matt has been climbing since 2020, and coaching at Terra Firma since 2024. Currently, Matt’s favorite style of climbing is anything with slopers, friction slab, or compression climbs. When Matt is enjoying climbing outside with his friends, he is bringing along bread and cheese, and Watermelon Sour Patch Kids.

INSTRUCTOR

Hope has been climbing since 2022, and coaching at Terra Firma since 2024. Hope puts her degree in Leadership to work as one of the Route Setters at Terra Firma, and coaching Adult Classes. Hope’s favorite style of climbing recently are technical climbs that involve flexibility and weird body positions. When Hope is not at Terra Firma she loves to fill her time crafting. Her main crafts right now include sewing and beading. Hope loves to share inspirations, so if you have any creative projects you are working on, she welcomes you to come talk with her about them!