July 13-18, 2024
raddest
Climbing
camp ever.
Exclusive access to Nelson Rocks private climbing area!
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Spend the week climbing, hiking, and developing leadership skills in rustic North Fork Valley, WV.
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An action-packed 5 days include single/multi-pitch and via ferrata
climbing and hiking in the spectacular Monongahela National Forest.
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Learn From the Best!
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Climbing Adventure Camp director and lead instructor Tom Cecil has been climbing in the North Fork Valley for 50 years and summitted Seneca Rocks for the first time at 13 years old. He believes in the process of mentorship and worked to share the industry's best practices as a member of the Professional Climbing Guides Institute Board of Directors, American Alpine Club Regional Education Director, and Co-Chair of American Alpine Club-Seneca Rocks Chapter. Legendary rock climber and author of leading instructional books, How to Rock Climb and Climbing Anchors John Long says, "simply put, from gyms to big walls Tom Cecil was instrumental in establishing the safety model followed by modern climbers, and for half a century he’s been a leading ambassador for the sport."
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Exclusive Access!
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We're lucky to have exclusive access to to one of the best private climbing areas in the country. This means no crowds, instant access to all the routes, increased safety and climbing a short walk from the main campus.
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achieve your goals!
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Climbing is led by SRMG's full-time AMGA/PCGI Certified Guides. Our guides are the area's most experienced and trusted certified professionals, with unique local knowledge and industry-leading safety standards and records. High instructor-to-camper ratios ensure each camper receives personal attention and achieves success on challenges tailored to their ability levels.
The
Big
Picture
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Trad, Sport and Top Rope single/multi-pitch climbing with AMGA and PCGI certified guides covering topics including: current best practices, safety, gear, movement, & self-rescue skills
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Via Ferrata Climbing - "The Iron Way"
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Full indoor climbing gym if rain is in the forecast​
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Teamwork & communication activities
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Leave No Trace
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Leadership development including: risk assessment, group management, critical thinking & problem-solving
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Lodging at NROCKS Resort rustic cabins, Campout at the base of Seneca on the last night of camp
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Guided climbing to summit of Seneca Rocks, WV to culminate the week
Tuition includes:
Use of Rock Climbing/Camping Equipment
5 Days of Guided Climbing
All Meals &
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Ages 11-14 | Co-Ed
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Cost: $1200
Meet Our Lead Instructors
Tom Cecil
Tom is the owner of SRMG, the American Alpine Club's Regional Education Director. Tom started climbing at the age of 13 at Seneca Rocks with his mentor. By the age of 14, he was leading Seneca classics like Ecstasy (5.7) and has climbed that particular route over 1000 times in the years since. Tom has climbed and/or guided 10 different El Cap routes and many other big walls. He has also put up more than 25 first ascents at Seneca, hundreds in the North Fork Valley, and hundreds in Thailand and other international locations. He formed Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides in 1988 with one mission in mind: to teach the best practices and techniques and become a mentor for the new generation of traditional climbers. In 1998, Tom also became an adjunct professor at the Adventuresports Institute of Garrett College and continues to teach there today.
Troy Phillips
Troy Phillips has been an outdoor industry professional since 2008 and has been instructing and managing rock climbing programs since 2012. Following a career in the Aerial Adventure Park Industry, Troy committed to his passion for teaching and began working toward developing his skills as a Climbing Instructor. Since then Troy has completed apprenticeships and formal trainings through the AMGA, WMA, Boy Scouts of America, National Ranger Training Institute and is a Certified Multi-Pitch-Guide through the Professional Climbing Guides Institute.
Holly Frost
Holly started climbing in 2014 and spent several years working for Movement Climbing and Fitness (formerly Earth Treks) before transitioning to outdoor instruction through the Earth Treks Outdoor School. In addition to her work with Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides in WV, she also guides and teaches in the Washington DC, Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides East. She has obtained certifications through both the AMGA and PCGI. Holly holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Florida, and practiced manufacturing engineering before transitioning to the climbing industry.
Jen Johnson
Jen received her degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College and has been a professional in the outdoor recreation industry for more than 10 years. She went on to lead an intensive wilderness recreation program at Hocking College and taught many of the wilderness immersion courses within the program. Jen has instructed hundreds of students, in and out of the classroom, in a wide range of disciplines, from stepping off the cliff on their first rappel to building asset-based community development initiatives in Appalachia. Her specialty is teaching Wilderness Travel, Expedition Leadership, and Wilderness Survival skills.
Frequently Asked QuEstions
What will we do?
Each day will consist of sessions in the morning, afternoon and evening. During these sessions participants will trad, sport, and top rope climb at private areas around NROCKS resort and Seneca Rocks, including climbing the Via Ferrata ("The Iron Way"-A metal Ladder imbedded in the mountain to make passage easier-with a protection cable for safety) at NROCKS and summiting the South Peak, "The Mountaineers Summit", at Seneca Rocks. The South Peak can only be attained using technical equipment. Each day will begin with a safety debrief climbing portions will include daily lessons in current best practices, movement, and self-rescue. Participants will also take part in activities to gain wilderness and expedition leadership skills including wilderness travel basics, what to do in a wilderness survival situation, leadership styles, group dynamics, risk assessment, and expedition success through critical-thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication.
What do I need to bring?
We will provide everything you need to go climbing including shoes, harness, belay devices and helmet at no extra cost. If you already have that stuff, you are welcome to bring it. You will receive a detailed gear list when you sign up. The basics are:
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Sleeping bag and pillow
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Rain coat and rain pants
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Closed toed hiking shoes
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Warm clothes for those cool mountain nights by the campfire
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A headlamp with extra batteries
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2 32 oz. water bottles
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A hiking backpack no larger than 25L
If you have any other questions please reach out to us at climb@senecarocks.com or 304-567-2115
Is it safe?
Life is not without risk, however risk becomes more apparent and must be understood and prepared for the further we venture from civilization. As with frontcountry activities, outdoor adventure carries "inherent risks." In many cases the risk is what draws us to the unique character of the activity. The path to adventure is not paved for easy access, therefore instead of fearing for our safety and choosing not to do the activity, we accept it and prepare for the risk as best we can. We achieve this by thinking ahead, getting trained and certified, using the correct gear, educating ourselves to best practices, and building on our knowledge through repetition. At SRMG our participants are paired with certified guides and instructors to ensure the activities are enjoyed safely. Our expeditions are prepared carefully with risk-mitigation at the forefront. Equipment is regularly inspected and is used in the manner for which it was designed with respect for it's limitations. Our staff is prepared for medical emergencies and serve as the first responders for the Seneca Rocks climbing area.
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If you have any other questions or concerns please reach out to us at climb@senecarocks.com or 304-567-2115
This area of WV is known as the National Quiet Zone, where service is limited by the military for research purposes. There is no cell reception in the area. However, all of our instructors carry radios and satellite communication devices for emergency purposes, at all times. Participants can use their devices on wifi at the NROCKS Welcome Center and will be given blocks of time to hang out there everyday. Wifi is not available at the cabins or climbing sites. We want kids to call their parents and tell them about all the fun they're having but we also want them to notice and enjoy the world around them. If parents need to reach their kids while they're participating in field activities, our management staff can make that happen.
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Will there be cell service?
One of the most common misconceptions about rock climbing is that have to be ripped if you’re even going to consider doing it. This is absolutely not the case! Rock climbing is truly a full-body sport. We like to remind folks that if you can hike, you can climb. As new climbers develop their skills, they will discover that technique and balance are actually more important than their arm strength. We do ask that participants have climbed several times in an outdoor or gym setting before attending this camp.
Am I strong enough?
We love to help people push past their comfort zone, and nerves are totally normal when climbing. Especially at Seneca Rocks where the exposure (the amount of empty space below you) is absolutely noticeable (and epic!) However, if you believe that this might be overwhelming, SRMG Adventure Climbing Camp may not be the best place to work on that. In a group setting like this we want to squeeze in as much adventure as we can, and if the rest of the group can't move forward because 1 person is too afraid, we haven't allowed the group to reach their potential. In this case, SRMG provides lot's of other opportunities for young aspiring climbers to gain confidence through other courses and private guiding.
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If you have any questions please contact us at climb@senecarocks.com or at 304-567-2115
What if I'm afraid
of heights?
We love newbies! Exposing new people to climbing and mentoring their use of best practices is what we're all about. However, we ask that participants for this camp have some exposure to climbing before they attend. This camp is geared towards growing existing knowledge and skills, as opposed to gaining baseline skills in climbing. There are of opportunities to start your climbing journey through courses and private guiding at SRMG or at your local climbing gym. Contact us for recommendations.
If you have any questions please contact us at climb@senecarocks.com or at 304-567-2115
I've never climbed
before, can I come?
What's the refund policy?
To receive a full refund you must cancel reservations 90 days before the start of the camp. We encourage participants to purchase travel insurance to protect their investment if cancelation is necessary after the 90 day time period. During any SRMG service, our guides and instructors reserve the right to remove any person, for any reason. These reasons generally stem from a person jeopardizing the safety of themselves or another team member. In all these cases, there are no refunds whatsoever, and the client will be responsible for any additional costs incurred in leaving the trip.
For More details Contact:
At least 4 participants must sign-up for this camp to run. We reserve the right to cancel camps at any time.
In this case, participants will receive a full refund