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

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

In her youth Riley was one of those three year olds who asked “why?” continually even after an “answer” was given. Today, she is still that person. She has seen the climbing wall as a place that reflects both questions and answers to her since she first started climbing in 2022. Since then, she has extended her experience to include climbing outdoors, coaching youth climbers, and private lessons at Terra Firma since September of 2024. She studied at Grand Valley State University which brought her to the west side of the state and finished her two part academic career; an undergraduate degree in Advertising and Public Relations, and a graduate degree in Communications in 2024. Apart from coaching, she enjoys meeting a wide variety of climbers through her work at the front desk since July of 2024. Her favorite style of climbing is 90+ feet, open-face “big wall” climbing outdoors because it helps her admire how struggles will pass in a beautifully created world. She also enjoys outdoor climbing because that means she can wander off for a good scramble hike too.