Youth Climbing Programs

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

Tennyson started his climbing career on a kids team in Chicago. In 2019, he started climbing at Terra Firma, and then started coaching with us in 2022. He coached with us for about a year before he moved to Wisconsin to receive his AAS in Prototype Design, and coached for a couple of years at Odyssey Climbing. Now Tennyson is back, he is working towards his BFA in Studio Art and also working at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Tennyson’s favorite style of climbing is static and controlled, and he loves the problem solving aspect of climbing. Sometimes you may also find Tennyson at the Frederik Meijer Gardens drawing and writing stories.

INSTRUCTOR

Hannah has been climbing since 2025, and she started coaching our Youth Tree Frogs classes in the Autumn of 2026. Hannah goes to Calvin University where she is studying Education and Geography. The vibes are what pulls Hannah to climbing. She loves meeting new people, talking, and climbing with them! Between classes and climbing you can find Hannah on her bike. She says the $1 cheesy bean burrito from Taco Bell has her back.

INSTRUCTOR

Lilliah has been climbing since 2024. She got her start coaching two summers at Calvin University’s kids rock camp, and she joined out Youth Tree Frogs coaching team in the Autumn of 2026. Lilliah is a student at Calvin studying Environmental Health and Conservation. Seeing new places and climbing outdoors is her favorite part of climbing. Lilliah is interested in native plant ecology and is working on a research project involving plant physiology in native gardens.