Climbing walls can be designed to satisfy the needs of both untrained and experienced climbers offering these people a place to learn their craft as well as a place for them to keep their skills honed during off seasons. Users of the artificial wall can be classified into special groups, such as "Youth at Risk," who are engaged in challenge/growth programs; recreational climbers who wish to gain or sharpen their skills; and instructors-in-training whose goal is to work with the previously mentioned groups. When designing a climbing wall two goals should be considered: the wall should allow most average balance climbers to reach the top and provide realistic climbing problems like those of real rock cliffs. Based on these two goals, the Unity College in Maine designed and built such a wall with $1,000 and volunteered labor. The wall is three dimensional with sloping overhangs, corners and many color-coded mounted handholds. To minimize space, the wall folds up and is protected by closing safety doors. Handhold locations duplicate real situations encountered in the field. Thus, novice climbers use a specific color set of handholds that satisfy their needs and later progress to other color-codes requiring greater skill. (PM)