CAMDEN CLIMBING

FESTIVAL

The Camden Climbing Festival returns to celebrate the climbing lifestyle on the coast of Maine. Last year our inaugural festival brought in 50 eager climbers and non climbers to Camden Hills State Park, in Maine. We provided trail maintenance with the State Park’s Trails Supervisor, we climbed on five cliffs within the Park, we hung out together sharing good food and tall tales, and we watched exciting footage from our keynote speakers. Participant feedback— We can’t wait to come back!

SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENT, HELD IN CAMDEN, MAINE - 2025 DATES COMING SOON!

RECAP OF THE 2024 CAMDEN CLIMBING FESTIVAL

Well here we are and CCF is for all. Anyone who wishes to experience climbing and this community for the first time is welcome. Anyone who climbs indoors and outdoors and looking for more instruction is welcome. Anyone who simply wants to kick off the 2024 rock climbing season with a wicked good Maine time is welcome. So tell your climbing partners, tell someone who has never climbed and ready to learn, and tell anyone who loves to be outside that the Camden Climbing Festival is back! Let’s bring 100 lovely humans to the festival May 17-19th.

All CCF festivities, camping, climbing and clinics will be located in the Camden Hills State Park. Take a moment to read all of the information provided below, then join dozens of like-minded and like-hearted individuals, seasoned climbers and novices, for a celebration of humans helping other humans thrive in nature! Do this by entering your information in the contact card below and tell CCF about yourself and why you want to join the festival!

To participate, CCF asks for a sliding scale donation of $250-$500 for this weekend experience. Your donation has high value and covers many festival costs seen below. Any amount is very much appreciated as proceeds goes to two excellent causes: 1) continued stewardship of Camden Climbing maintenance and bolt replacement, and 2) people who do not have the means to climb in Camden, especially youth, climb for FREE!

Here is what your donation earns you:

  • Camden Hills State Park multi-day admission and group camping with CCF participants

  • All nourishing dinners and breakfasts (good locally supported food) from Friday evening to Sunday morning (snacks are your responsibility)

  • All Saturday and Sunday clinics appropriate to your climbing experience (see clinics below)

  • Friday evening’s Kickoff Social with guest speaker (TBA) and climbing film on the big screen

  • Saturday evening’s social with guest speaker (TBA)

  • Saturday evening’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Dance Party

  • CCF swag

  • A well lit hearth

  • CCF expects all participants to bring personal camping equipment and cutlery, plate, bowl and a cup for coffee and evening beverages! Thank you in advance for helping us cut back on unnecessary waste :)

Sliding-scale donation: $250 - $500

2024 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday, May 17th, 2024

9:00 AM: Park opens, set up camp anytime of the day

12:00 - 5:00 PM: Volunteer trail work with the Camden Hills State Park Trails Supervisor, Erik Brooks

6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter… We are having Tacos!

7:00 - 9:00 PM ish: Kickoff Social with CCF Staff, climbing film and guest speakers at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage)

10:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Quiet hours

Saturday, May 18th, 2024

6:00 - 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the Picnic Shelter

7:00 - 8:00 AM: Orientation for clinics, meet your instructors at the Picnic Shelter

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM: Clinics for all (meeting at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook)

4:30 - 6:00 PM: Swimming and refreshments at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook

6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter hosted by local culinary guru India Mc the Green Bean Cookhouse

7:00 - 10:00 PM: Guest Speaker followed by Dance Party at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage)

10:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Quiet hours

Sunday, May 19th, 2024

*deconstruct campsite prior to departing for the days climbing adventure

6:00 - 7:30 AM: Breakfast pop up in group campsites

7:30 - 8:00 AM: A message from CCF Founder, Ryan Howes and Staff

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM: More Amazing Clinics

4:30 PM: Swimming and refreshments at Barrett’s Cove Beach on Lake Megunticook

THE VENUE - CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK

First step upon arrival is to check in with Camden Hills State Park Staff at the Entrance Booth for vehicle and camping tags. Make sure to announce you are attending the Camden Climbing Festival, Bub! Then, continue taking the first right to CCF Group Camping sites 3, 4 and 5. These sites are first come first serve and holds up to 10 guests per site.

Bring whatever creature comforts you need for the weekend and help us cut back on waste by bringing personal cutlery, plate, bowl and a cup for coffee and evening beverages!

Depending on what time you arrive on Friday, join CCF crew for volunteer trail work, dinnah, and CCF Kickoff Social at the Picnic Shelter. Look on the map above for an icon that shows a small picnic table inside a shelter. You cannot miss it, Bub!

VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORK

CCF and Camden Hills State Park’s Trail Supervisor, Erik Brooks will be working together to clean up park trails. This five hour volunteer initiative benefits all park users in addition to protecting the natural resource. Traditionally, Maine’s state parks resources are spread thin and trail is supported by local volunteer friend’s groups. Camden Hills State Park is excited to receive our support. Last year we sent eight hardworking volunteers into the hills. Let’s double that number this May. Thank you in advance for showing up early to work with us! 12 PM departure from the Picnic Shelter.

KICKOFF SOCIAL

CCF Founder, Ryan Howes kicks off the Camden Climbing Festival by welcoming all into the spirit of Camden climbing, making CCF Team introductions and festival key players like our amazing sponsors: Zoot Coffee of Camden, Alpenglow Adventure Sports of Bangor, and Northern Vertical Climbing Guides of Camden. Ryan will provide an orientation to the weekend adventure, and facilitate a campfire discussion on how climber’s manage risk. CCF is excited to announce several amazing auction prizes from our sponsors, which will be auctioned off Sunday morning. A viewing of a short climbing documentary of failures and success in the mountains will be followed by CCF’s Friday night speakers.

Those coming just for evening festivities are asked to make a donation to CCF. Thanks!

GUEST SPEAKER & DANCE PARTY

During the inaugural Camden Climbing Festival we had Camden’s very own guidebook author and historian, Ben Townsend sharing in detail the history of Maine climbing pride and joy state land, Camden Hills State Park. If that wasn’t enough stoke to get everyone ready to climb in the hills, we followed that talk with Saturday’s Keynote Speaker, John Bragg, who came with tall tales and first ascents from Patagonia, Yosemite, Eldorado Canyon and the Gunks in the 70’s. A true climbing legend, pioneer and Camden resident: John (Johnna) brought us the visual and auditory creation “Climbing in the Days of Wonder”. If you missed this you missed a true legend. Who knows, perhaps Johnna will make another appearance. Stay turned to find out who we have in store this year, but for now, check out JB’s amazing poster!