Actual rock climbing is only one element of this adventurous outdoor birthday party. The fun begins with appropriate invitations, made from -- of course -- small rocks, cord, and oak tags.

When the kids arrive, greet them with name tags, fashioned from carabiner-style key rings that they can take home with them. (A carabiner is an oblong metal ring used in mountain climbing as a connector and to hold a freely running rope).

Then, to help keep their energy up, supply each child with a water bottle and a bag of gorp.

Invitations and Name Tags
Tools and Materials
Permanent markers
Clear shipping labels
Oak tags
Scissors
Nova-Brite cord (available at marine-supply or outdoor-sporting-goods stores)
Small rocks, about 2 ounces
Bubble-lined envelope (optional)
Carabiner-style key rings
Sports water bottle with loop top (see sources)

Invitations How To
1. Use a permanent marker or a computer to write or print the party information onto clear labels. Peel the labels off the sheet, and attach them to individual oak tags.

2. Cut a piece of cord, about 14 inches long, and slip it through the tag's hole. Find a notch in the rock, and tie a double knot around it.

3. You can either hand-deliver the invitations or place them in a bubble-lined envelope and mail them for an additional cost.

Name Tags How To
4. Using the same oak tags and cord, create the name tags that will be attached to the water bottle and bag of gorp. Use a permanent marker to write the guest's name on the oak tag.

5. Cut a 12-inch length of cord, knot it at one end, and slip it through the tag's hole. Attach the other end of the cord to the key ring by tying a slipknot around it. Then, so each guest can keep track of his water, attach the key rings to the loop tops of the sports water bottles.

Gorp
Tools and Materials
Dry-roasted peanuts (or use Cheerios or Fritos)
Raisins
M and Ms
Resealable plastic bags
Mesh bags

Gorp How To
Add an equal amount of peanuts, raisins, and M and Ms to the plastic bags. Place the gorp-filled plastic bags inside the mesh bags, and attach them to the key rings. You can also add other treats, such as energy bars and pop rocks.

Resources
We used Oak tags (Staples Office Supply); Nova-Brite cording (Rex Marine Center, 144 Water Street Norwalk, CT, 203-831-5236); Carabiner key ring (Wal-mart); 16-ounce Lexan Loop-Top Bottles (Nalgene); Mesh Stuff-Bag (Equinox); Rocky Road Flavored Balance Gold Bar (Balance Bar)