How do I judge a climbing gym’s youth program and birthday party business?

Start with the numbers. Request enrolment by program and term, party bookings by month, and revenue for each. Check how many children return, how many parties come from word of mouth, and whether the calendar is full only on weekends. Compare these records with the sales figures. Ask what happens when a child is hurt or upset at a party, and how the staff were prepared for it.

Then look at how it runs. Who leads the programs, what training do they hold, and how are they supervised? Ask to see incident logs, waiver handling and how parents are informed. Watch a session if you can. A calm, well-organized program is a good sign, and an improvised one is a risk. Look at how the program is promoted, because school contacts and local groups can be as important as online advertising.

Finally, think about transfer. Youth programs depend on coaches parents trust, so ask who would stay. Check deposits held for future parties. Ask your lawyer about waivers, insurance and any requirements for working with children, and ask your accountant how advance payments should be handled in the sale. If the youth program relies on a single director, talk with them about staying on, and ask your advisers about the arrangement.

Key takeaways

• Review enrolment, repeat rates and party bookings across seasons.
• Check coach training, supervision and incident records.
• Ask which coaches will stay and how advance payments are handled.