Overview
heartSTONE studio is a youth-focused rock climbing program located on the second story at the BLOC in Tucson, Arizona, operating as part of the Rocks and Ropes Youth Team. Founded in 2008 by Head Coach Jon Mavko, it creates a vibrant environment that nurtures young athletes through structured team pathways ranging from introductory Junior Teams to elite Comp Teams for competitive climbers. The program focuses on building physical skills, mental fortitude, teamwork, and passion for climbing, with athletes routinely qualifying for national competitions. It offers multiple commitment levels with varying practice schedules and monthly costs, supported by scholarship opportunities through the Tucson Climbing Project non-profit. While utilizing studio space for training, the experience extends beyond the walls with outdoor climbing trips and competition travel.
Studio Amenities
Studio Pricing
| Plan Name | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Auto-Pay | 1 Month | $81.42 |
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 7:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 7:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 7:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 7:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Friday | Open | 7:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | Open | 9:00 am – 8:00 pm |
Studio in Details
A Youth-Focused Climbing Program in Southern Arizona
heartSTONE studio, located on the second story at the BLOC in Tucson, Arizona, operates as part of the Rocks and Ropes Youth Team program. This is not a traditional yoga studio but rather a dedicated youth rock climbing program that visitors describe as the premier youth climbing program in Southern Arizona. Founded in 2008 by Head Coach Jon Mavko, the program has built what people call a vibrant and robust environment that aims to be both nurturing and challenging for young athletes. The focus is squarely on building the next generation of Arizona climbers through structured team participation. Visitors note that the program welcomes climbers of all ages, genders, and ability levels, creating a social team setting that reinforces teamwork, friendships, and hard work. The physical space at 8975 E Tanque Verde Rd #155 serves as one of two locations for the team, with the other being in downtown Tucson. While the business name suggests a studio space, the actual offerings are centered entirely on youth athletic development in the sport of rock climbing, which people describe as a uniquely challenging activity requiring body movement, awareness, coordination, and mental fortitude.
The program’s identity is deeply tied to competitive climbing and lifelong engagement with the sport. People mention that youth team athletes routinely qualify for national-level competitions and pursue a lifetime of activity. With sport climbing now an Olympic discipline, visitors observe that youth programs like this are growing in popularity across the country. The environment is structured to foster skills, teamwork, and passion for climbing, with a clear educational component. The team setting, as described by visitors, helps young athletes develop problem-solving, determination, and resilience alongside their physical climbing abilities. While the program operates from specific studio addresses, the activities extend beyond the studio walls to include monthly outdoor day-trips to surrounding climbing areas for some teams. The presence of a supporting non-profit organization, the Tucson Climbing Project, Inc., provides financial aid through scholarships, which visitors note helps make the program accessible to aspiring athletes who might otherwise not afford it.
Structured Team Pathways for Different Commitment Levels
The Rocks and Ropes Youth Team offers multiple team levels, each with distinct structures, practice schedules, and goals. Visitors describe a clear pathway system that accommodates young climbers from introductory levels to elite competition. The Comp Team is the highest-level team for elite competitive athletes, requiring climbing to be their sole extracurricular sport activity. This team practices three times weekly between the two locations and participates in the full USA Climbing competition circuit. The Travel Team is for motivated climbers who want to compete, also practicing three times weekly and following a physically and mentally demanding curriculum. The Rec Team serves climbers who love the sport but aren’t interested in competition, offering options to train two or three times per week in a more relaxed environment focused on building skills for lifelong activity.
For younger or newer climbers, the Training Team practices twice weekly and requires participation in at least one competition per season, focusing on developing work ethic and enthusiasm. The Junior Team (Junior 1 or 2) is the most introductory level, meeting twice weekly for climbers aged 6-11 with no experience necessary. This team focuses on learning climbing technique, terminology, and the beginnings of strength and mental training. Visitors note that tryouts for the youth team are held twice a year, and detailed information about practice times and events is available through a comprehensive youth team calendar. The program maintains connections with USA Climbing for competition registration, and dedicated coaches drive the team’s development. While the studio provides the training space, the team’s activities include competition travel, outdoor trips, and events that extend the experience beyond the studio environment.
Practical Considerations for Young Athletes and Families
Participation in the youth climbing program involves specific practical considerations that visitors should understand. The program operates on a monthly membership model with costs varying by team level: the Comp Team costs $384/month, the Travel Team $324/month, the Rec Team $234/month for two weekly sessions or $314/month for three, the Training Team $234/month, and the Junior Team $194-$214/month depending on level. Visitors note that prepaid members receive adjusted rates, and scholarship support is available through the Tucson Climbing Project. The program requires commitment to practice schedules—typically two or three sessions weekly—with the Comp and Travel Teams participating in the full USA Climbing competition circuit. Athletes on the Comp Team are expected to participate in all competitions they qualify for, while the Training Team requires at least one competition per season.
The team welcomes climbers from ages 6 to 18 across different teams, with specific age ranges for each: Comp Team (13-18), Travel Team (10-16), Rec Team (12-18), Training Team (8-12), and Junior Team (6-11). Visitors mention that the program provides a structured environment where young athletes can balance school work with training, developing time management skills alongside climbing abilities. The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Jon Mavko, follows curricula designed to help athletes reach their potential, whether that’s peak competitive performance or building a foundation for lifetime activity. While the studio facilities at the BLOC location serve as a training ground, the program’s scope includes outdoor climbing trips, competition travel, and team events that create a comprehensive athletic experience. For families in Tucson and surrounding areas seeking a dedicated youth climbing program with competitive pathways and developmental focus, this studio-based team offers a structured approach to the sport.