Rock Pro 1 - Youth Climbing

RockPro I - Youth Rock Climbing Camp

Five days of rock climbing and learning essential climbing safety skills in the great outdoors of Maine.

Throughout the week, campers learn the fundamentals of rock movement, belaying, rappelling, and knot tying. Rock climbing builds self-confidence, strengthens independence, and creates lasting friendships, all while exploring some of Maine’s most beautiful landscapes.

Each day features a new climbing adventure. With countless routes to choose from, some easy, some challenging, and some just right, campers stay engaged and motivated all week long. RockPro I is designed for kids who want to spend most of their day climbing, with plenty of variety built in.

When bodies or minds need a break from climbing, campers may hike, swim, paddleboard or canoe, or simply relax and enjoy nature. We explore the mountains and coastal cliffs of Acadia National Park, with some sessions also traveling to Clifton Crags and Camden Hills State Park.

No prior climbing experience is required. Campers begin roped climbing on Day One, safely belayed by skilled instructors. As the week progresses, participants build responsibility and trust as they learn to belay and rappel themselves. With growing confidence, campers are encouraged to challenge themselves on a variety of routes while improving techniques for slabs, faces, and cracks. Additional knots and rope skills are introduced throughout the week, along with hikes to several Acadia summits.

Our curriculum emphasizes building a strong foundation of basic climbing skills, critical for developing capable, thoughtful climbers and fostering responsibility, trust, and teamwork that extends far beyond the rock.

RockPro I Learning Objectives

• Have fun while learning and improving rock climbing skills

• Learn and practice knot tying and belaying

• Develop safe habits for outdoor activities

• Become proficient at rappelling

• Set goals and complete tasks requiring communication, teamwork, and responsibility

Sample Itinerary

RockPro I is offered multiple times throughout the summer. Each session is intentionally varied, making it possible to attend multiple camps with minimal repetition.

Day 1
Introduction to climbing equipment, harness use, knots, and safety guidelines. Learn basic climbing movement and practice roped climbing on low-angled rock, such as the Canyon.

Day 2
Focus on balance, body awareness, and weight transfer. Introduction to rappelling and belaying a partner. Afternoon swim at one of Acadia’s freshwater swimming spots.

Day 3
Hike to the summit of one of Acadia National Park’s open peaks, followed by an afternoon of climbing and swimming.

Day 4
Canoe across Jordan Pond to climb on South Bubble. Continued development of rope safety skills.

Day 5
Climbing by the sea on some of the greatest sea cliffs in the U.S. Finish the week by building and traversing a rope "zip-line" bridge across a gorge.

Overnight campers receive additional climbing and bouldering time, short summit hikes, evening activities, knot practice, introduction to climbing protection, such as cams and stoppers, basic first aid and rescue skills, and opportunities to assist with meal prep and camp tasks.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times and Locations

Drop-Off, First Day:

• 7:30 AM, Alpenglow Adventure Sports / Acadia Mountain Guides
  753 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME

• 9:30 AM, Acadia Mountain Guides
  228 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME

Pick-Up, Final Day:

• 3:30 PM, Bar Harbor

• 5:30 PM, Bangor

Rainy Day Policy

We proceed with planned activities whenever possible. Schedule changes occur only in the event of lightning danger or major storms.

Discounts

Volume Discount, Explorer’s and RockPro I Camps:

• Register the same camper for 2 camps, save 15 percent

• Register the same camper for 3 or more camps, save 20 percent

Sibling Discount:

• Save $50 for each additional camper from the same family registered for the same camp

Refer-a-Friend Discount:

• Returning campers receive a $25 credit for day camps or a $40 credit for overnight camps when referring a new camper

• Friends must mention your name at registration for credit to apply

Minimum and Maximum Enrollment

• Minimum, 4 participants

• Maximum, 6 to 12 participants, depending on the camp

Programs are confirmed three weeks prior to the start date. If enrollment is low, families may choose to join another session, receive a refund, or pay an additional amount to run the camp with reduced numbers.