Bogota Junior Police Academy Duty Day #5

30-July-2025
 On Thursday-24-July, the Bogota Junior Police Academy held their fifth Duty Day. The Cadets would travel to the GOAT Climbing Gym, an indoor rock-climbing venue in Hackensack. Each Cadet was first fitted with a safety harness to be worn at all times in the building. The squads would broke-in into three groups and moved through a total of four separate locations during their time there. One group would go to an area that simulated climbing over boulders. With the highest point being only about 12 feet so it could be used for free climbing without the need to attach the harness to safety ropes. The floor was heavily padded for safety. The GOAT instructors told the Cadets which technique to use while climbing and how to land on the mats. This area also provided obstacles so the climbing could be horizontal to the ground.
 The second group would start at a more advanced boulder course that was taller and resembled a small cave. This one was a bit more challenging but still did not need climbing ropes.
 Another group would start a medium-sized course with 20-foot climbing walls and small handholds. This is where the Cadets learn how to attach themselves to a belay in-order to climb the wall. This had an Auto Belay, so the climber had personal control of their descent. There was also a Manned Belay where the instructor would support the climber as well as the speed of their descent. The Cadets were told how to communicate with the Belayer as they called out instructions. On the descent the climber would need to show trust to the Belayer as they let go of the rock face and ropes and allow the Belayer to lower them to the ground.
 The Main area had 60’ high walls with varying degrees of difficulties. While the Auto Belay section was the most used, Cadets tried all the walls available. These feature some ascents that had both inside and outside corners to move upward. As the Academy’s time continued at the GOAT more Cadets started to reach the top of the highest walls. While these assents were taking place they were encouraged by fellow Cadets and Instructors from both the Academy and the GOAT Staff.
 For lunch the Cadets returned to Steen School. There they learned about CPR and other first-aid techniques.
For more information about GOAT Climbing please visit their website at: https://goatclimbinggym.com/

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