We Hope You Can Join Us!
Try something new and exciting that will build family trust and confidence while having fun. Our convenient and affordable family program lets you explore the vertical world together.
The Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School team enjoys climbing with families to provide unique experiences for children and parents. After meeting your family and learning about their experiences and goals, your guide(s) will select an area that will best balance everyone’s needs and insure fun and satisfaction. It could be a lower angled climb to a mountaintop, a hidden away canyon, or a sea side vertical playground overlooking Frenchman’s Bay. All of our instructors are PCIA or AMGA certified. We believe that we can offer you a wider variety of locations, set-up methods and coaching techniques than any other New England climbing school. Our goal is to involve the whole family in the sport of climbing. And who knows, a future world champion might emerge.
All outings are tailored to your family. We ask that the majority of participants be from one family, although one or two friends are welcome to join. We also ask that at least one adult participates in the program.
Half day programs are available in Acadia National Park. Full-day programs are available in Camden, ME, Clifton (near Bangor), New Hampshire, and along the Kennebec River (The Forks area) and the Penobscot River (Millinocket area).
Date & Location
Daily Availability May-October
Pricing
Personalized Pricing for Your Trip
| Client:Guide Ratio | Half Day | Full Day |
| 1:1 | $170.00 | $290.00 |
| 2:1 | $110.00 | $185.00 |
| 3:1 | $100.00 | $150.00 |
| 4:1 | $90.00 | $140.00 |
| 5:1 | $80.00 | $125.00 |
| 6:1 | $70.00 | $120.00 |
| 5:2 | $100.00 | $145.00 |
| 6:2 | $90.00 | $130.00 |
| 7:2 | $80.00 | $110.00 |
| 8 – 9:2 | $75.00 | $105.00 |
| 10-12:2 | $55.00 | $90.00 |
Arrive at our shop and check in with the front desk. Here, you’ll meet your guide and be outfitted with the proper gear.
Once outfitted with gear and waivers filled out, our guide will ride with you to direct you to the climbing site.
Half-day: At the climbing site, you and your group will climb for about 2-3 hours in some of the most spectacular scenery of Acadia.
Full-Day: Your guide may bring you to one site in the morning, break for lunch at the site or at the Fabbri picnic area, and then another site in the afternoon. Or you may get the most out of one spot and stay there all day, eating lunch at the site. Your guide will decide what is best for your group.
As the session winds down, your guide will start preparing to get you back to the car. From there, your guide will ride with you back to the climbing shop.
After dropping off the gear and saying farewell to you guide, you’ll be free to go! Don’t forget to check out our shop downstairs for climbing and outdoor gear.
Food & Water: On a half-day, we will be out on the cliffs for 2-3 hours and you may get hungry, so bring a few snacks and a water bottle. On a full-day, we will have a lunch break, but we won’t be returning to town, so make sure to bring a lunch and water for the day.
Clothing: Extra layers are helpful especially if it is windy or there is rain in the forecast. Bring a small daypack to put all of your personal gear and some of our group gear.
Gear: All gear rentals are included in the price of the outing, but feel free to bring your own if you would like!
Specific Info
General Info
Anyone can climb! All it requires is an excited attitude! We will cater the session to your goals, whether that means enjoying a relaxing day, crushing climbs, or learning a new skill. We would love to show you Acadia National Park!
Arrive at our shop and check in with the front desk. Here, you’ll meet your guide and be outfitted with the proper gear.
Once outfitted with gear and waivers filled out, our guide will ride with you to direct you to the climbing site.
Half-day: At the climbing site, you and your group will climb for about 2-3 hours in some of the most spectacular scenery of Acadia.
Full-Day: Your guide may bring you to one site in the morning, break for lunch at the site or at the Fabbri picnic area, and then another site in the afternoon. Or you may get the most out of one spot and stay there all day, eating lunch at the site. Your guide will decide what is best for your group.
As the session winds down, your guide will start preparing to get you back to the car. From there, your guide will ride with you back to the climbing shop.
After dropping off the gear and saying farewell to you guide, you’ll be free to go! Don’t forget to check out our shop downstairs for climbing and outdoor gear.
Half day programs are available in Acadia National Park. Full day programs are available in Camden, ME, Clifton (near Bangor), New Hampshire, and along the Kennebec River (The Forks area) and the Penobscot River (Millinocket area).
Food & Water: On a half-day, we will be out on the cliffs for 2-3 hours and you may get hungry, so bring a few snacks and a water bottle. On a full-day, we will have a lunch break, but we won’t be returning to town, so make sure to bring a lunch and water for the day.
Clothing: Extra layers are helpful especially if it is windy or there is rain in the forecast. Bring a small daypack to put all of your personal gear and some of our group gear.
Gear: All gear rentals are included in the price of the outing, but feel free to bring your own if you would like!
Is there an age requirement? Can my 5 year old climb?
There is NO age requirement for climbing. This means both young and old can climb. The expression goes, if you can climb a step ladder, you can climb a rock.
Will I be safe?
Rock climbing can be dangerous. However, when compared to activities such as driving and traditional sports, studies have shown that climbing represents less risk and results in fewer injuries per participant hour. Nevertheless, climbing with a skilled guide or instructor helps to stack the odds in your favor. It is the safest way to learn the sport and will lead you toward years of enjoyable climbing.
Enjoying the outdoors necessitates a certain degree of risk-taking. You are participating in this trip at your own risk. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While such accidents are rare, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. Our guides draw upon solid guide education coupled with extensive experience to manage significant hazards inherent to rock climbing.
Some of the hazards that can lead to injury or death associated with this trip include but are not limited to extreme weather, demanding physical travel, avalanche, vehicle transportation and falls or collisions while skiing or snowboarding. Please be sure that you are fully aware of such risks. It is our goal to interpret the environmental, situational and group variables and to make educated decisions to minimize dangers to you while at the same time providing an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to minimize various hazards through the application of good judgment gained from a foundation of education and experience. On this course we ask that you ski or ride with good control at all time.
A 50% deposit is required for registration. Balance due three weeks (21 days) before the beginning of program.
You can still climb in the rain! All it takes is the right attitude and a rain jacket. The guides have the ultimate decision on whether or not the weather prevents us from climbing. In the case of thunder and lightning, we will NOT be climbing. Metal climbing gear and a cliff side environment is a shocking combination. If Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School cancels due to weather, you will receive a full refund.
Tipping is never expected but always greatly appreciated. Like many in service industries, instructors and guides supplement their income with tips generated from satisfied clients.
Are you part of a college organization, climbing club, etc.? We are happy to schedule a customized outing for organizations, and small groups.
Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is certified through the
American Mountain Guide Association and the Professional Climbing
Instructor Association. Acadia Mountain Guides actively supports
furthering their guide’s development throughout their career. That means our guides are constantly taking steps to progress their skills and will provide you with an exceptional experience. AMG is also a proponent of helping clients reach their goals, whether its having an epic day on the cliffs, or learning new climbing skills, Acadia
Mountain Guides Climbing School can get you there!
A History of
Leading the way…
Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is the preeminent frontrunner in climbing instruction and guiding in Acadia and across Maine. Since 1994 we have specialized in designing customized experiences or training for you, your family, your group or company.
AMGA ACCREDITED
• Since 1994 •
AMGCS is one of 32 AMGA accredited programs in the US and was one of the earliest to pursue and achieve accreditation. AMGCS is the only climbing school in Maine to remain continuously AMGA accredited. We have had one or more full time AMGA rock guides on staff each year since 1994.
All instructors are certified as AMGA or PCIA Single Pitch Instructors and all guides have been trained or certified by the AMGA.
PCIA Accredited
• Since 2007 •
AMGCS has the distinction of also being accredited to the highest standards of the Professional Climbing Instructors Association. The PCIA requires all staff to be individually trained and certified.
Save 15% on
All Gear and Clothing
Become a client of Acadia Mountain Guides and receive a permanent 15% off MSRP on purchases in our stores or at AlpenglowGear.com.
AlpenglowGear.com
Your Source for Adventure!
AMGCS also rents outdoor equipment for your convenience. All clients receive 25% off rental equipment for use on our courses.
See what we have.
