This camp is available multiple times during the summer, and each session is sufficiently distinct from the others to allow participants to attend multiple camps with minimal repetition. Within each camp, a diverse array of activities is scheduled throughout the week.

Below are sample itineraries for the Acadia National Park and Bangor/Clifton Rock Climbing and Outdoor Adventure Camps.

Session 1 – Acadia National Park 

Day 1: Every session begins with a few Get to know you games and team building initiatives set the stage for moving onto other activities. Learn to make your own harness and tie strong, secure knots. Practice rock climbing at the Canyon. End the day with a quick dip at Sand Beach.
Day 2: Play follow the leader up Beehive Mountain while you practice mountaineering rope skills while. If time allow explore life in the tide pools. Learn how to make and use a map.
Day 3: Rock climb on The Bubbles then paddle across Jordan Pond  Day 4: Hike to the fire tower on Beech Mountain and imagine yourself there 50 years ago. Grab a swim to cool down.
Day 5: Rock climb over the ocean on climbs with names like and end the day with a traverse across a suspended rope bridge.

Session 2 – Bangor and Clifton Area
Day 1: Every session begins with a few get to know you games and team building initiatives set the stage for moving onto other activities. Visit Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, learn basic canoe strokes, paddle a war canoe, explore the creature that live in a pond and river.
Day 2: Practice rappelling down a rope and explore a short cave. Follow a compass back to your van, Learn about trees, and join a scavenger hunt of natural things.
Day 3: Learn about Maine wildlife, view animal skulls and furs recovered from animals struck by automobiles. and cast track
Day 4: Survive in the Maine woods. Set up tents, learn to build a fire.
Day 5: Climb and rappel at Park’s Pond, Take a swim in Park’s Pond.

Session 3 – Acadia National Park
Day 1: Every session begins with a few Get to know you games and team building initiatives set the stage for moving onto other activities. Practice knots and rope coiling before getting on the rocks for a short climb. Go for a swim at Echo Lake.

Day 2: Practice mountaineering rope skills while hiking the Ladder Trail to the summit of The Beehive. If time allow explore life in the tide pools. Learn how to use a map.

Day 3: Action and adventure when you build your own adventures with ropes in the forest, use your new map and compass skills to go to the top of Acadia Mountain.

Day 4: Learn to get a campfire going with flint and steel and see how fast you can boil a cup of water. Pull a lobster trap to see what you caught.

Day 5: Rock climb over the ocean end the day with a traverse across a rope bridge.

This camp is available multiple times during the summer, and each session is sufficiently distinct from the others to allow participants to attend multiple camps with minimal repetition. Within each camp, a diverse array of activities is scheduled throughout the week.

The core related objectives for Mountain Monkeys Climbing and Adventure Camp are:

• To have fun learning in an outdoor setting and to meet new friends with similar interests
  
• To develop safe habits related to outdoor activities
• To learn and practice principles of Leave No Trace
• To practice general camping skills including tent set up and fire building
• To work with others in a cooperative and supportive culture that fosters personal responsibility and teamwork.
  
• To learn about common native plants and animals and other natural history subjects such as marine and pond life.
  
• To learn various specific skill sets tailored to activities such as; rock climbing, canoeing, hiking, etc.

This is a day camp only: It’s best to have a good breakfast at home before you start the day. Bring a healthy lunch comprised of easy to eat finger food along with your favorite drinks.

Acadia Mountain Guides Rock Climbing and Adventure Camp are electronics free. Camper cell phones are not permitted during camp session. We thrive off of the experience of being in the wilderness, away from the screen and it allows your camper to gain independence and to more genuinely connect with their fellow campers.

Although we encourage you to “let your child experience camp” with all it’s ups and downs, we understand that you may want to check up on your camper.  The best way to do that is by contacting our office and leaving a message for the camp leaders. Camp leaders check in every night to ensure any messages that have come in will be relayed to the camper. We will also provide occasional camp updates.

In the event of an at-home emergency, word will be delivered to the camp leaders in the most expeditious manner.

For extended sessions, campers always enjoy getting mail. This may be sent to: “Camper Name” in care of Acadia Mountain Guides, PO Box 121, Orono, ME  04473. You may send electronic mail to climb@acadiamountainguides.com.

Our camps consist of consistent activity from the time our campers wakeup each day until they go to sleep that evening. We expect all campers to be enthusiastic and energetic at the beginning of everyday. Here are a few ways you can get your camper prepared for all the fun activities they’ll be doing at summer camp

• 15 minutes of general physical activity to raise the heart rate and break a sweat each day
  This will help ensure that your camper has the stamina and fitness to accompany us on all adventures we might do during the camp in a comfortable manner, if your child gets some extra exercise before camp they are much less likely to become fatigued and discourage during camp.
• 10 minutes of goal making
  Sit down with your child a week or so before they are destined to head for camp and help them make a goal sheet not only for camp but for after camp. What do they want to learn during camp? Why do they want to learn that? And what will they do with the skills they gain after camp is over?
• 5 minutes of talking      
  Attending summer camp may put your child in situations where they are a bit uncomfortable such as camping overnight for the first times by themselves. Take a few minutes to talk to them about how these experiences might make them feel or any concerns they may have. (Our camp staff is more than willing to accommodate any concerns or discomforts your camper may have but we need you to tell us about them)

Prevention is our priority. However, accidents and illnesses sometimes happen at camp. At a minimum, our trips leaders and guides are all certified as Wilderness First Responders. This is a 72 hour course covering a wide variety of medical and trauma care topics. The camp owner is registered nurse (emergency care) and flight paramedic and is available for 24/7 for consultation by leaders in the field. We also have standing orders signed by our physician medical director to administer first aid and non-prescription medications up to the level of leader certifications.

We will inform you of any significant medical problems injuries or mental/behavioral health problems that may require emergency room visits or removal of your child from the field.  

Participants are expected to have their own health insurance coverage in case of injury or illness that may occur while taking part in our programs.

Acadia Mountain Guides Rock Climbing and Adventure Summer Camps are travel camps moving from one activity location to another.  We have both a registered nurse and a paramedic available 24/7 for camp staff to consult with if needed. Our medical protocols are approved and overseen by emergency physician.

Preparing Medications for Camp

• Medications should be placed in a see through, water proof bag such as a Ziploc and labeled with camper initials). 
• Medications include any substance a person takes to maintain and/or improve their health including vitamins and supplements.
• Send enough medication to last the entire time.
• Prescription medication brought must be in original pharmacy containers with labels that show the camper’s name and how the medication should be given.
• All medications, except emergency medications, are kept secure by the trip leaders and administered to camper as needed by the leaders.
  
• We suggest sending a second set of prescription medications as a backup.
• A record is kept of all medications administered at camp.
  

All of our trip leaders are at least 19 and have to be 21 to drive our vehicles. The majority of our climbing guides are in their late 20s and early 30s and a few have been guiding and trip leading for more decades than they want to count.

Leaders are registered Maine Trip Leaders or Registered Maine Guides, all have Wilderness First Responder certification or greater, all climbing instructors are certified Single Pitch Climbing Instructors or greater. Many have additional training in Leave No Trace, as lifeguards or as paddling instructors. We conduct annual personal background and driving checks on all employees as well. 

Each trip leader brings a unique perspective to camp. We prefer to hire leaders who have or are pursuing formal degrees in education, outdoor education or natural sciences. They all share a love of teaching and sharing in the natural world and have trip leading experience with their university outdoor programs, scouts or other organizations.

Regardless of their background our trip leaders arrive in late May to participate in four plus weeks of intense training led by the camp director, senior staff and outside subject matter experts.  This training covers climbing, wilderness medicine, camp prep and logistics, van driving, meal preparation, emergency procedures, area and terrain familiarization, natural history, use of games and initiatives, group development and more.

The RP III and IV advanced climbing camps are staffed with our most skilled climbing guide staff.

If we ever feel that, for whatever reason, we cannot deliver a camp with a high level of professional leadership talent then we will cancel to program.annu

Jon co-founded and directed the University of Maine Outdoor program for 17 years where he trained hundreds of outdoor leaders and taught outdoor and climbing skills to thousands of students. More recently he served four years as a Department Head and Professor for the Eastern Maine Community College Outdoor Leadership program.

Jon maintains a second career in emergency medicine. A practicing paramedic since 1989 Jon continues to work as a flight paramedic, RN, and wilderness medicine lead instructor.

Jon provides leadership and oversight for all Acadia Mountain Guides staff and works closely with senior staff to ensure high caliber training and leadership development for all who take others outdoors.

For a more complete resume see Jon Tierney.

Jon is a very experienced professional guide and one of the best educators in the AMGA. His client care and technical skills are excellent.” – Rob Hess (former AMGA Technical Director and Bela Vadasz (IFMGA Guide)

No child left inside! Circumstances are different for everyone. We ask those who can afford to pay for camp to please do so.  Acadia Mountain Guides offers options to those who want to attend camp but might not have the financial means.

Option 1. Camper sends us a letter in their own words on why they want to come to camp and the parent or guardian should send an accompanying letter stating what they can contribute to camp. We seek to find sponsors to support this program.

Option 2. REENO Foundation. This is a scholarship program honoring Nick Ruschmeyer, one of our
former camp leaders who died from cancer recently. He did a lot in his short life.  Per Nick’s choice, AMG is one of four benefactors of his foundation’s funds. Our campers can apply for a scholarship to attend.

Option 3: Many businesses and organizations offer financial assistance for camp.  Often, all you have to do is ask. Here are some ideas. Your church or synagogue may have a fund. If the camper’s parent(s) or grandparent(s) served or are serving in the military, there may be funds available for camp through veteran’s groups. Other civic organizations and clubs, sororities, and fraternities, may have available funds.

Option 4: An example of the above:
The Lee Summer Camp Scholarship Program provides up to $300 in summer camp scholarships to children of Atlantic Acceptance and Maine Auto Credit customers. Deadline April 30th.