4-Hour Experience
Gunpowder Falls
State Park
Beginners & Climbers Welcome
Why Climbing + Therapy Works
Nature-based movement activates the same neural pathways targeted in CBT and mindfulness—now super-charged by vertical challenge.
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Reduces cortisol by up to 26 %*
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Reframes fear into curiosity
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Builds trust through belay partnership
What You'll Experience
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Warm Welcome & Gear Fitting – cozy coffee circle, harness demo.
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Immersive Forest Therapy Walk – sensory reset on the approach trail.
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Scaling Internal & External Walls – guided climbs with therapist framing.
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Stress-Management Toolkit – physiological sigh, curiosity cue-cards.
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Reflection Hike & Gratitude Circle – anchor insights before departure.
Bring Roots & Rocks to Your Group
You don't have to wait for the next scheduled retreat. Roots & Rocks is available as a private experience for groups of up to six participants, with the option to add additional participants.
Gather your friends, colleagues, community, or organization for a four-hour outdoor climbing experience designed to build resilience, strengthen connection, and explore how we respond to challenge, fear, and uncertainty.
Each private experience includes:
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Clinician-guided nature-based practices and reflection
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Professional outdoor climbing instruction and support
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Climbing experiences adapted to your group's comfort and experience level
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All climbing gear, including helmets, harnesses, shoes, ropes, and safety equipment
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A private date arranged with your group
Private Group Experience: $1,450 for up to 6 participants
Additional participants: $190 per person
All climbing gear is included. Additional participants are subject to staffing, site capacity, and safety requirements.
No previous climbing experience is necessary. Roots & Rocks follows a challenge-by-choice approach. You decide how and how much you participate.
Interested in creating a Roots & Rocks experience for your group?
100 % of retreat proceeds fuel the CNIT Scholarship Fund, opening nature‑informed healing to individuals and communities who could not otherwise afford it.
Who It's For
Adults & teens managing anxiety, stress, trauma, or low self-esteem who want an active, nature-based route to healing. No climbing experience required.
Agenda at a Glance
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1:00 — Welcome, coffee, gear fit
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1:20 — Mindfulness walk, nature token ice-breaker
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1:50 — Climbing safety & practice belay
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2:30 — Guided Climb I + journal circle
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3:15 — Snack & Comfort-Zone mapping
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3:45 — Guided Climb II, fear-coping drills
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4:30 — Reflection hike & closing gratitude
Safety & Emotional Support
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Challenge by Choice – you decide how high to climb.
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Every experience includes therapeutic facilitation and professional climbing guidance, with staffing adjusted to group size and site safety requirements.
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Emergency & weather protocols
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never climbed before—can I join?
Absolutely. Routes start at beginner (5.4). We teach knots, belay, and movement from the ground up.
What gear is included?
Helmet, harness, climbing shoes, ropes, and all safety hardware. Bring weather-appropriate layers, lunch, and a full water bottle.
Physical requirements?
If you can comfortably climb a household staircase and stand for 10 minutes, you can participate. We adapt routes for varying fitness levels.
What if I feel anxious on the wall?
A licensed therapist is on-site. We use “challenge-by-choice” and grounding techniques; you can descend or pause at any time.
Is the program rain-or-shine?
Light mist is fine; thunderstorms, heavy rain, or dangerous heat move us to a covered resilience workshop or trigger a weather reschedule (no extra cost).
Do proceeds support scholarships?
Yes—100 % of retreat proceeds seed the CNIT Scholarship Fund for underserved participants.
Still have questions? Contact us → and we’ll reply within one business day.
