Hello Jason, welcome to a great sport and a great website! I am a fellow Canadian beginning climber, unfortunately from the opposite coast.
I'm still trying to arrange proper climbing lessons, but it isn't easy up here. I think the best bet will be a basic climbing module offered for beginning arborists, since Atlanta is not really feasible for some of us.
In the meantime, get copies of "Recreational Tree Climbing" by Dick Flowers, and "The Tree Climber's Companion" by Jeff Jepson. Both are available at New Tribe, which is the best source for recreational climbing equipment.
Keep reading this forum, too, it is an invaluable source of top-notch information and advice.
Cheers!
Brad