DynoClimb — Attraction in DeLand

I took my sons, ages 8 & almost 13, to DynoClimb yesterday and it completely exceeded my expectations! Daddy was home sick and Mama and the kids needed to get out of the house where we could exercise and not have to be quiet. I'd seen ads for DynoClimb in the past and decided it was time. What a great choice!

Britt and his staff welcomed us and helped every step of the way as we literally learned the ropes and then they stepped back and encouraged the boys as they chose their routes, switched sections by trading belays, and crushed their own goals. Britt is big on "growth mindset" and it shows!

When we left home, my eldest was pretty sure he didn't want to participate. As we were signing in (I completed our waivers at home online), he decided that he'd try-- if I wanted him to. Well, yes please! 😆 He did a little, and then decided he was DONE. Britt cleaned the harness and put it away... then my son decided he'd try again! No problem there--he got the harness back and away my son went! He a higher goal than he'd met earlier and kept on climbing until I said we needed to go home!

Britt and his team were super encouraging and not overbearing or bossy, though they are clearly incredible at what they do and could climb circles around us! There was plenty of quiet watching with just the right amount of "Let's GOOOO!", "nice", and a few "try for that pink one on your right" type messages sprinkled throughout our session. My boys gained insane amounts of confidence in just a few hours and are looking forward to going back soon! Fun + learning = WINNING!

The gym is clean and so are the bathrooms. There's a good-sized room with tables and chairs off to the side where we ate our packed lunch (I didn't think we'd stay as long as we did, and I practically had to tear my youngest off the wall to take a break to eat "lunch" around 3 p.m.! 😆) It's a very nice and well-maintained facility. They have snacks and drinks for sale, as well as climbing shoes and other accessories.

This may seem unusual to mention, but it mattered to me and I appreciated it: When he was snugging up the harness straps for my boys, I noticed the care Britt took--he has very obviously ALWAYS taken care to only touch the straps and not a stitch of clothing that the person is wearing. It was like muscle memory or simple routine, not as though he were awkwardly trying to do it "politely" because I was there watching. The world is a crazy place, but I felt good about being at DynoClimb. I really feel that Britt is an honestly nice guy who loves climbing and creating a culture of growth mindset and wants to share his passion with anyone who will try it. It's truly amazing.

There were 4 (I think) other employees there throughout our time there and they were all so kind and uplifting. Nothing but kind and thoughtfully chosen words of encouragement and assistance as the boys climbed!

We homeschool, and used our PEP scholarships for this session. DynoClimb is a direct provider with StepUp and that made it really easy for me as the mama. His wife is a teacher and they're offering a number of summer class/camp options--my youngest is excited to go to one!

As I was typing this, my eldest just said, "Mama, if you want me to go to that place again today, I will." Translation: "I loved DynoClimb!" The youngest replied, "Yeah, it's a little bit fun." I replied, "I think it's a lot of fun!" Then Youngest agreed, "You're right! It's a lot of fun." That's the best review anyone can get from these 2!

Guess we'll see you again soon, Mr. Britt!

P.S. I just added the pics--Youngest wanted to take his stuffed animal friends up in his pockets but settled for having...

Staff was decent, not much interaction, so I can't really judge on that. There's a really lengthy video they make you watch if it's your first time there, so don't plan on making a quick stop like I did. Your interaction with staff is very minimal during the orientation process, which feels very impersonal and not at all what I'm accustomed to at bouldering gyms in the midwest.

the gym section looked like it had the basic gym equipment, but I didn't use it, so I can't say much on it.

The "Top rope" is laughable at best and not much higher, if at all, than most bouldering walls, not sure why they don't just add more boulder.

The bouldering, this is what I came to this gym for and looked forward to since I learned of and saw pictures of this gym. Kudos to the photographer for making this place look much more awesome than it was. I have to say, I was let down, I was expecting to walk into this mega bouldering gym but instead was met with a couple of short walls that all seemed to be set in the same style. The problems seemed to be graded lower than they should be, by a full grade, that was pretty consistent, so don't be surprised if you're a newer climber and not able to get out of the v0s. the routs didn't feel very technical, I didn't come across any real interesting moves in v4 or lower, though I only tried 1 v5.... so, maybe that's where they're hiding all the good toe hooks and knee bars? Would have liked to see more / better use of the overhang and more steep areas or even some good slab.

staff: 3/10 little interaction, they would rather you watch a video than show you around themselves, though I'm sure they would answer questions.

clenliness: 10/10, the staff seem to be using their time to keep this place clean.

variety: 5/10, there were enough problems to keep a person occupied for a couple hours, but they were all set very similar and lacked technical moves that set them apart from the problem next to it.

price: the cost of climbing here is on par with the mega gyms in the midwest, I definitely didn't feel like the value was there at all.

Recommend: yes, but only because there are no other options locally, If you want any kind of variety or are a newer climber looking to do any top rope, I recommend expanding your search to include gyms that may be a couple hours south. Dyno seems like a place I would stop at maybe once a week or every other week just to check out...

We are so thankful to have discovered this wonderful place! My son has some pretty intense ADHD, and he’s spent the last 11 years being told, “Get down from there!” But this is a place where he can be told, “Higher! You can do it! Go go go! You’re so awesome at this!” It is a breath of fresh air for him, and he is just shining! I feel like he’s finally found his sport! It’s awesome to see something that looks like a disability in other situations be such an advantage in climbing. His brain moves so fast that he can get lost in all his thoughts, but here I see him quickly scanning the walls, the holds, looking for the best and fastest way up. Or if he’s challenging himself to some of the bouldering “problems,” I see how this is discipling his brain to focus! You can’t afford to lose focus if you’re hanging from a wall! Ha! Climbing seems to be this perfect combination of letting his brain just BE, and also challenging and disciplining his brain to FOCUS. Whatever the magic is, it is thrilling to see my son feeling confident and encouraged. ❤️

The atmosphere of Dyno Climb has really surprised me. It is the warmest, friendliest environment. There is zero pretense or arrogance or exclusivism. I don’t know why I was a little fearful of running into that? Maybe just because our family came in knowing NOTHING, and because this seems like such an elite sport to me? But the staff is remarkably kind, patient, encouraging, welcoming, and accommodating. They have been so encouraging to my son, and even to my little 4-year-old daughter who blew us all away with her desire and natural ability to climb! Even the other patrons seem so relaxed and friendly. There is just a sweet, positive, encouraging atmosphere about the whole place.

We SO wish we could swing a whole family membership here, instead of just a youth membership for our son. We feel like it’s been a tremendous bonding activity for all of us, just in the handful of times we’ve been. And how amazing is it that this is in DELAND?! Not Winter Park! Not Orlando! It’s down the street! We are blessed to have this, y’all. CHECK....