CLINICS
Camden Climbing Festival 2026 clinics will be conducted all weekend long for beginners and experienced climbers. We kick off Saturday at 12:00 PM with the most important clinic of all - Cliffside Trail Maintenance. This clinic is all about stewardship, one of the three main pillars of our climbing festival.
CCF recommends first time rock climbers and those with some gym climbing experience sign up for Introduction to Rock Climbing, All Things Anchors, and the all day clinic Women’s Climbing - Maiden’s (for women only). Experienced climbers and previous CCF participants are welcome to sign up for those clinics too, as well as choose from these options: Top Managed Belay / Rappel Systems, Single-Pitch Self Rescue, Sport Leading and Trad Leading.
As always, CCF provides industry standard instruction and support from our all-star Maine instructor team, consisting of local climbing sensei’s, AMGA certified instructors, and most importantly - all passionate, supportive and caring climbing ambassadors.
We encourage seasoned climbers to mingle with fellow festival attendees at the Kickoff gathering Saturday evening and make plans to climb together when not participating in clinics. If you are an experienced climber and would like to support CCF instructors during clinics, please reach out to Ryan at ryan@northernvertical.com with your climbing resume.
CCF is all about Stewardship, Community and Education. Your mentorship and your experience is valued!
YOU MUST REGISTER AND PAY YOUR FESTIVAL DONATION BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR CLINICS.
THE CLINICS
CLIFFSIDE TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Saturday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Project Location TBA)
Stewardship is one of three CCF pillars. Learn how to steward cliffs and trails right here in the Camden Hills with dedicated State Park Trails Supervisor, Erik Brooks. There is nobody regionally who is better suited to teach a comprehensive clinic on the mediums we climbers love. Over the past three festivals, Erik has led CCF participants on volunteer initiatives to improve recognized state park hiking trails. Last year’s project focused decreasing erosion on the Guide’s Wall trail and staging areas seen in the photo.
As always, Erik will focus on standard trail maintenance, in particular, the first step in proper erosion control. If time allows, he will talk about cliff maintenance, including the basic tools and best practices.
This clinic is real work! Help us give back, and be examples if real stewardship. The more the merrier! Take these newly discovered and practiced skills to your climbing region and teach your community how to keep them viable and sustainable. A little bit really goes a long ways!
INTRODUCTION TO ROCK CLIMBING
Barrett’s Cove Cliff - Sunday 8:30 AM
Experience beginner friendly, top rope rock climbing at Barrett’s Cove Cliff with sweeping views of Lake Megunticook. That’s right, the view is amazing and so is the rock. Barrett’s Cove is a 250’ cliff composed of metamorphic schist, which is a very grippy, high friction rock that focuses on balance rather than upper body strength.
What and discover the basics: preparation, equipment, top rope system, knot tying, belaying, movement, communication, and risk management. Several instructors will be on site to teach and guide the process.
Intro to Rock Climbing is ideal for first time climbers and indoor climbers new to outdoor climbing.
Rental equipment available through sign up.
TOP-MANAGED BELAY / RAPPEL SYSTEMS
Verticals - Sunday 8:30 AM
This clinic has been a festival favorite, because the techniques are valuable for anyone looking to set up their own climbs in places like Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park.
We recommend this experience for climbers with a minimum of one year of outdoor rock climbing, or for previous CCF participants who successfully completed Introduction to Rock Climbing and All Things Anchors.
After hiking to the top of the Verticals, participants will gear up, learn how to assess various anchor types and how to set up and manage up belayed rappels.
Several CCF team members will be present to demonstrate and coach participants on how to construct and use these efficient and fun technical systems. Participants will partner up and take turns setting up the system and managing each other on a climb. With video support, we aim to help you utilize this system with your climbing partner(s)
ALL THINGS ANCHORS
Barrett’s Cove - Sunday 1:00 PM
All Things Anchors is the second clinic for beginner climbers at CCF2026. Our team covers all three anchor types found in a rock climbing environment. Our favorite teaching tool (LEADSTER) for remember crucial elements like: redundancy, strength, angle, direction, etc, will become your new anchor building friend.
There are several nifty methods to construct and deconstruct anchors given the terrain, equipment and human needs, so this clinic will help you dial in fundamentals and support fellow experienced rock climbers.
Experienced climbers will learn a lot from this clinic too, so don’t hesitate to sign up.
LEAD CLIMBING - SPORT
The Outback - Sunday 1:00 PM
Learn techniques for leading sport climbs with some of Camden’s top climbers and route developers. We cover: equipment, route selection, proper clipping, communication, how to be a good belayer, basic anchoring techniques, strategy, mindset and falling.
After learning the basics, participants will mock lead at least one sport climb with the safety of a top rope. Instructors will be observing participants progress and support your first proper lead if time permits, and you are ready!
All participants must have at least one year of indoor or outdoor climbing experience and come prepared with personal climbing equipment.
SINGLE PITCH SELF RESCUE
Barrett’s Cove Cliff - Sunday 1:00 PM
When things don’t go as planned it’s important to have the skills to get you and your climbing partner out of an unexpected situation. Participants will learn single pitch rescue techniques including, knots and friction hitches, taking over belays, ascending the rope to rescue a scared or fallen climber, as well as descend with a fellow climber. We go beyond the general risk management discussion into how to assess and manage risks for climbers setting up outdoor climbs, with a precedent on how to get in front of potential problems before they arise. This clinic is designed for intermediate to advanced climbers with previous outdoor climbing experience. While self rescue is an essential skill that every climber needs, those who frequently climb with less experienced or younger climbers will find this clinic especially useful.
LEAD CLIMBING - TRAD
Guide’s Wall / Ramparts - Monday 9:00 AM
Learn and cultivate the basic techniques for leading traditional climbs with some of Camden’s top trad climbers and route developers. We will introduce multiple topics including: racking, macro and microstructure, passive and active placements, rope management and more.
After learning the basics, participant will have at least one chance to practice leading, while on top rope for safety. All participants must have at least one year of outdoor climbing experience and indoor lead climbing experience is recommended.
Come prepared with personal climbing equipment and a full day of learning and climbing. You may just lead your first ever trad route!
WOMEN’S CLIMBING - Maiden’s
Maiden’s Cliff - Monday 9:00 AM
Calling all lady crushers for an All Day adventure involving a hike to the top of Maiden’s Summit to reach a beautiful crag nestled high above Lake Megunticook.
Maiden’s Cliff hosts a wide range of beginner, intermediate, and advanced climbs, and home to some stellar top managed climbs from 5.7 to 5.13. Experienced climbers are encouraged to check out the various cliffs: Voyage Wall and 90 Degree Wall, as Sarah Gall and Krystal Tavares support and coach new climbers.
This clinic has been another well attended CCF favorite, building up women in a previously male dominated sport. We welcome all women to this culminating festival clinic in a supportive environment to continue learning, push past comfort zones, refine technique and build community with Sarah and Krystal.
DON’T SEE THE CLINIC YOU NEED?
We want to hear from you!
CCF clinics are designed to take beginner climbers through a logical progression to discover and enjoy rock climbing, while experienced climbers progress into leadership roles setting up technical systems, leading and self-rescue.
But there is much more you may want to learn, perhaps something niche within our sport...
Our festival team would like to hear what would you like to learn? Perhaps we can create a new clinic, or cover the material in one of our established clinics. There is no guarantee we can satisfy your request, but nevertheless we’d love your feedback, and love to support your climbing journey!
2026 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
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
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
Sunday, May 24th, 2026
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)
6:00 - 7:30 PM: Dinnah at the Picnic Shelter
7:00 - 10:00 PM: Guest Speaker followed by Dance Party at the Picnic Shelter (BYOBeverage)
10:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Quiet hours
Monday, May 25, 2026
*deconstruct campsite prior to departing for the days climbing adventure
6:00 - 7:30 AM: Breakfast at the Picnic Shelter
7:30 - 8:00 AM: A message from CCF Founder, Ryan Howes and Staff
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: More Amazing Clinics
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!
