As confidence grows with easier climbs, campers are encouraged to push their limits on a diverse array of routes, honing their techniques for climbing slabs, faces, and cracks. Progressing through the week, participants expand their knowledge, delving into essential knots and advanced rope techniques.

This camp is offered multiple times throughout the summer. We strive to make each camp different enough from the others so that it’s possible to do multiple camps with minimal repetition. In each camp, we will do different climbs and activities each day of the week. We will explore new climbs, trails, and skills. Below is a sample itinerary for a week in Acadia National Park.

Below is a sample itinerary for a week of camp in Acadia National Park.  

Day 1:  

• Introduction to climbing equipment and learning of basic skills such as harness use, knots and safety guidelines.
• Learn basic principles of climbing movement
• Practice roped climbing skills on low angled rock such as the Canyon or Pebble Beach.

Day 2: 

• More climbing with an emphasis on balance, body awareness and weight transfer
• Introduction to rappelling down and belaying a partner.
• Rap up the afternoon with a swim in one of the many freshwater swimming spots on the island.

Day 3: 

• Hike to the summit of one of Acadia National Park’s open summits
• Spend the afternoon climbing
• Swimming in one of the many freshwater swimming spots on the island

Day 4:

• Canoe across Jordan Pond to climb on South Bubble.
• Continue honing rope safety skills

• More climbing by the sea on some of the greatest sea cliffs in the U.S.
• Finish the day building and traversing a rope “zip line” bridge across a gorge

The core climbing related objectives for RockPro I are:

• To have fun learning and improving rock climbing physical skills
• To understand and develop important safety rope skills as knots and belaying
  
• To understand and practice safe habits related to outdoor activities
  
• To become proficient at rappelling
• To set goals and complete tasks that require good communication, teamwork and taking responsibility for actions.
  

Day Campers: 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.

Lodging Information for Overnight Campers:

• Campers will sleep in tents separated by gender.
• We stay in public campgrounds such as Bar Harbor Campground and Park’s Pond Campground. Campgrounds have bath and shower facilities and some have swimming areas.

Food Information for Overnight Campers:

• Breakfasts, lunch, snacks, and dinners will be provided. We will eat well!
• Campers join the leaders in preparing delicious, healthy camp meals.
• Vegetarian options are available as well.
• Sample evening meals include pasta with sauce and salad, vegetable stir fry w/ chicken side, etc.
• Please let us know if you have any food allergies or requests. We will also do our best to accommodate various food requests and preferences.

• Compression stuff sack for sleeping bag to minimize the size of your sleeping bag.
• Sleeping pad 72” x 24” of closed foam or inflatable
• Camp pillow. A small outdoor camp pillow is allowed, not a regular bed pillow. (optional)
• Appropriate footwear for camp activities. Generally, a lightweight hiking shoe is sufficient. Be sure to break in before camp.
•  Water shoes with straps. A quick drying shoe that can be used paddling or stream hopping.
•  Shower sandals.
• Wool blend hiking socks. No more than 3 pr.
• Enough underwear bottoms for once a day change per week.
• 1 mid-weight long underwear long sleeve shirt synthetic or wool blend only
• 1 mid-weight long underwear pant synthetic or wool blend only
• up to 4 t-shirts & sport bras. Cotton or synthetic ok.
• 2 pr quick drying shorts
• 1 – 2 pr quick drying pants. Zip-off convertible pants to shorts work great
• 1 long sleeved sun shirt or hoodie
• 1 swim suit
• 1 waterproof hooded rain jacket
• 1 waterproof rain pant preferably with side zippers
• 1 warm synthetic fleece or insulated jacket.
• 1 set PJ’s for sleeping
• 1 wool or synthetic beanie style warm hat.
• 1 brimmed hat for sun protection (optional)
• 1 mosquito headnet (optional)
• Small travel size container rub-on deodorant if desired
• Small travel size container of biodegradable soap
• Small travel size container of biodegradable shampoo/conditioner
• 1 reading book
• Music list to share with the group (Leaders can make a playlist on their devices.)
• Paperwork / Personal Info Bag (labeled with camper name)
  • This should be a waterproof bag – Ziploc is fine.
  • Outside organization Contract Waivers signed by guardians
  • Some photos of your friends and family (pets too) to share if desired
  • Pre-written letters to yourself or friends if desired
  • No more than $100 spending money per week for town day or souvenirs

        If traveling by air, train or bus to camp

• • Printed off airline/bus/train confirmation and ID
  • Credit/Debit Card for return if needed for airline baggage fee and unaccompanied minor ticket on return flight if you are unable to pay in advance.
  • Camper Cell Phone (with charger). This will be secured in our office during camp.

• Medication  Bag (labeled with camper’s name).

• • This should be a waterproof bag – Ziploc is fine.
  • This includes is any substance a person takes to maintain and/or improve their health including vitamins and supplements.
  • Bring 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.
  • We suggest sending a second set of prescription medications as a backup if on overnight camp.
  • See medication policies for administration and security of medications while at camp.
• Climbing Gear (these are provided for RockPro I and II campers if they don’t have their own)
  • Climbing Shoes
  • Climbing Helmet
  • Climbing Harness
  • Belay Device
  • 2 Locking Carabiners
  • Chalkbag

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.

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.

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.

Unaccompanied minor services from the airline or bus service are required for campers age 7-12 and optional for ages 13 – 18. Please prepay for this service and arrange it in advance. Please use the name Jon Tierney as the person who will arrange pickup for your child. In order to simplify departures and avoid problems at the airport please have completed all of the necessary airline forms before your child’s arrival at camp.

Campers are met at the terminal by camp personnel wearing Acadia Mountain Guides apparel and are escorted to our vehicle for the trip to camp. These participants will either stay at our climbing school base in Orono or join an existing session. If staying at base, campers are asked to be responsible for their own meals that evening. While not directly supervising campers, camp leaders will be at the school base during this time if needed. Pizza and other restaurants are available within a five minute walk of the base. Orono is a small university community and our staff will accompany campers into town. Schedule arrival for the as late as possible before camp starts and departure as early as possible for the morning after camp ends.

Campers should carry a list of phone numbers, including Acadia Mountain Guides numbers (listed in this packet) and a small amount of travel money. We will telephone you when your son/daughter arrives.

Round trip tickets, excess money and unaccompanied minor forms will be collected and placed in the camp office until departure.

Campers arriving by plane or bus should pack a change of clothes, a rain jacket and toothbrush in a backpack to carry on the plane or bus should luggage arrive late. Please be sure to label your child’s clothing and gear.

We try to accomodate all pick up requests outside of our normal time frames but with some trips it is not feasible due to the traveling nature of our camps.