RIVEREDGE TREE CLIMBING
Come hang out with us. In a tree!
Welcome to Riveredge Tree Climbing Adventures, where excitement abounds and having your head in the clouds is our goal!
Tree climbing?
This probably isn’t the tree climbing you’re thinking of. With the help of our trained facilitators, you’ll get up in the trees like never before. Using the same professional equipment that arborists and scientists use when they ascend into the treetops, our highly trained and experienced facilitators will teach you everything you need to know to get harnessed up, in the saddle, and headed toward the treetops. Once you’re at a height that’s comfortable for you, you’ll be free to swing, spin, bounce, walk the branches, or just hang out in a tree. It’s your adventure!
Recreational tree climbing is safe, unique, and most importantly, FUN. In its over 30 years as an organized activity, more than 350,000 people have taken part. Now it’s your turn!
Okay, that does sound cool. But why tree climbing?
FUN FOR “KIDS” OF ALL AGES
Kids as young as 7 and those who are just kids at heart are all capable of reaching new heights and having a great experience.
GREAT EXERCISE!
It’s not only fun, but a fantastic workout. While climbing is not as demanding as it looks, it will definitely help strengthen your arms, legs, and core.
RECONNECT WITH NATURE
Climbing is a great way to clear your mind from everyday thoughts and focus on “being here, now”. It is both peaceful and exhilarating.
SELF PACED
We focus on having a fun experience and encourage our tree climbing guests to climb at their own pace and go only as high as they desire. Tree climbing is not a race or competition!
“Our scouts LOVED the professional tree climbing at Riveredge! We have bragged about your Tree Climbing event with so many other scouts. Feels so natural to be climbing into the tree limbs then any rock wall that can be done indoors these days.”
Chris Lindeman
Co-Leader of Cadette Girl Scout Troop 8098The Tree Climbing program at Riveredge has been such a breath of fresh air (literally) for us. Tree climbing gives our kids a place to find balance physically, mentally and emotionally. They don’t even know it’s happening – they just know they are having fun. They come out of it with tired arms or legs, but they have such a renewed energy and attitude.
Cathy Gettelfinger
Mom of Tree Climbing Club MemberThe girls all said this was by far their favorite field trip! I was super impressed with how quickly they picked up on everything. Super cool experience, thank you for offering it!
Marsha Mamerow
Parent of Tree Climbers“Our family has climbed with Riveredge staff during open climbs and a birthday party. The staff is knowledgeable, fun and will help even the littlest climbers feel comfortable. It is a beautiful and peaceful time up in the trees! Our kids as well as us parents look forward to climbing a few times each season”.
Nicole Theys
“Just a quick note to tell you that my wife and two granddaughters enjoyed the tree climb. The staff members were excellent. We all learned much about the technicalities of tree climbing and enjoyed our time swinging in the tree canopy. Hats off for making it a fun and educational experience.”
Bill Fruend
ParticipantExperience matters.
As the first nature center in Wisconsin to offer recreational tree climbing, Riveredge’s program offers a unique blend of experience and innovation that no one else can match. Our dedicated facilitators (who just so happen to be professional educators too!) all have a few things in common: extensive training, a personal love of tree climbing, and the Riveredge passion for making outdoor adventure and exploration something that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
With almost 50 years of experience as a leader in nonprofit environmental education, we know just what it takes to make programs fun, safe, affordable and, ultimately, meaningful. And tree climbing is just the tip of the iceberg- when you join the Riveredge family, you’re joining a family that has adventure in its blood.
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OFFSITE GROUP CLIMBSAlright, you’ve convinced me! Now when can I get in the trees?
We’ve got tree climbing opportunities for climbers of every age! Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a group, we can work with you to get you up in trees. If you’re looking for something pre-planned, why not join one our awesome climbing clubs (meet monthly for climbing, community, and a darn good climb) or just simply sign up for one of our open climbs to experience the rush and relaxation with no commitment!
Open Climbs
Not ready to commit to club climbing? No problem! Just sign up for one our open climb days and explore Riveredge at a new elevation! Our Tree Climbing programs can accommodate youth and adults, age 7 and above, with little to no tree climbing skills. Ascend ropes and explore the world way above your feet. We make it safe and easy! All the equipment is supplied; all you need is loose clothing (a t-shirt and long pants recommended), closed toe shoes (hard soles recommended), and some extra energy.
Climbers typically spend about 45 minutes in the trees during these two-hour programs. Open Climbs are held April through October, and a list of currently scheduled climbs can be found below. To register, click your desired date below or visit our calendar page and find the climb date you are interested in and a registration link will be provided there. Open climbing price for members is $20/person for All Access Members, $25/person for Trail Pass Members and $35/person for non-members.
2019 Open Climb Dates:
Sat 4/27 12-2 pm Earth Day Climb Sat 5/4 1-3 pm Open Climb Sat 5/18 Frothy Forage Adult Only Climb Sat 6/1 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 6/22 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Tues 7/2 5-7 pm Open Climb Sat 7/20 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 7/27 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 8/10 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 8/24 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 9/14 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 9/21 10 am-12 pm Open Climb Sat 10/5 1-3 pm Open Climb Sat 10/19 1-3 pm Open Climb @The Farm Fri 10/25 4-6 pm Open Climb Cancellation/Refund Policy for General Programs/Special Events: You may cancel your registration up to one week in advance of the program and receive back 75 % of the original purchase price. Any cancellations made after this time are not refundable. If Riveredge Nature Center cancels a program for any reason, you will receive a full refund. Please contact Riveredge Nature Center at 262-375-2715 with any refund requests.Youth Tree Climbing & Flying Club
- Are you ready for an awesome season of climbing and flying?! Riveredge Youth Tree Climbing and Flying Club is back and better than ever. This year you can choose from either the Youth Tree Climb or Family Climb each month to better accommodate your busy summer schedules. This is a pretty special experience – one where the members will climb together from June – October, form a tight knit community, and have all kinds of one-of-a-kind fun outdoors while developing a new skill, improving their fitness, and building relationships with our natural world. Discover trees all over Riveredge, pick your own special “tree name,” and play fun games in the trees during each club meeting. Absolutely, positively no prior experience needed to join the club! We’ve got lots of fun planned for this year including “tree boats”, i.e hammocks way up in threes. Yes, you heard that right. Hammocks in the TREES.
Club Membership Includes: 5 climbing days (parents and family members can climb too during the kick off meeting in June and the closing party in October), use of all equipment, tree climbing club t-shirt, recognition on the tree climbing club “trunk of fame” which will be permanently installed at the end of the climbing season at Riveredge (it’s actually a bench by the main tree climbing area – but we like to call it a trunk).
Meeting dates & times:
June Club:
6/30 1-3 pm Youth Club
6/23 1-3 pm Family & Adult Club
July Club:
7/28 1-3 pm Youth Club
7/14 1-3 pm Family & Adult Club
August Club:
8/18 1-3 pm Youth Club
8/4 1-3 pm Family & Adult Club
September Club:
9/22 1-3 pm Youth Club
9/8 1-3 pm Family & Adult Club
October Club:
10/20 12-4 pm Drop in any time!
Price: $130 per member (Must be a Riveredge member to join. Not a member? Your whole family can join for as little as $40. Have a 4th grader? Click here to get your 4th grade family membership for free!)
Can’t make a meeting or one gets rained out? Club members who miss a meeting can transfer to the other club for the meeting missed or sign up for an open climb(maximum of 2 times per season). 5 Climbs not enough? Contact Steff to find out how you can sign up for more!
To enroll, all you have to do is fill out an easy online form! Register for Youth Tree Climbing Club here.
For questions, contact the club leader, Steff Merten (Adventure Education Manager) at smerten@riveredge.us or (262)375-2715.
Adult Tree Climbing Club
- Do you need time away from the screen, a way to reconnect with nature, or just something fun to do? Join the Riveredge Family & Adult Tree Climbing Club! This experience will help you form a tight knit community as you climb from June to October and have all sorts of one-of-a-kind fun outdoors while developing a new skill, improving your fitness, and building relationships with our natural world. Discover trees all over Riveredge, pick your own special “tree name,” and relax at new heights. Absolutely, positively no prior experience needed!
Club Membership Includes: 5 climbing days (family members can climb too during the kick off meeting in June and the closing party in October), use of all equipment, tree climbing club t-shirt, recognition on the tree climbing club “trunk of fame” which will be permanently installed at the end of the climbing season at Riveredge (it’s actually a bench by the main tree climbing area – but we like to call it a trunk).
2019 Meeting Dates & Times:
6/23 1-3 pm
7/14 1-3 pm
8/4 1-3 pm
9/8 1-3 pm
10/20 9 12 – 4 pm Drop in any time!!
Price: $130 per member (Must be a Riveredge member to join, not a member? Your whole family can join for as little as $40. Have a 4th grader? Click here to get your 4th grade family membership for free!)
Can’t make a meeting or one gets rained out? Club members who miss a meeting can sign up for an open climb!
To enroll, all you need to do is fill out an easy online form! Register for Adult Tree Climbing Club here.
For questions, contact the club leader, Steff Merten (Adventure Education Manager) at smerten@riveredge.us or (262)375-2715.
Can we schedule our own climb with you? Can you come to us?
Yes all around! Whether you’re looking for an awesome team building training for your staff, the birthday party of a lifetime, or a totally unique addition to your offsite event or organization, we will work with you to organize your perfect climb! Check out some of the options below, or contact Steff Merten, our Adventure Education Manager, at 262-375-2715 or smerten@riveredge.us, to chat about what you’re looking for.
Group Climbs
Do you have a youth or adult group that you’d love to send up into the trees? We can do that! Programs are 2 hours long and include introduction activities and lots of climbing. Each participant will be able to climb for approximately 45 minutes. We provide 1 facilitator for every 6 participants and are happy to facilitate the experience to meet your group’s goals. Be it teamwork, overcoming challenges, learning about the forest ecosystem, or just having fun, we can do it!
Price: $250 minimum (1-10 climbers) + $25 each for each additional climber
Let us work with you to create a program that meets your group’s specific needs. We can provide a meeting space prior to or after the climb, lead an interpretive hike through the amazing Riveredge nature sanctuary, or provide an educational program about a nature or “green living” topic of your choice. Extra charges apply. Please contact Steff Merten at smerten@riveredge.us or 262-375-2715 for more information!
Offsite Climbs
Let us come to you! Our experienced and fully trained staff will come to your location or event, provide all the equipment and instruction, and allow your audience to experience the magic of tree climbing!
Choose from either festival climbing (each participant will have climb once in an abbreviated session- perfect for events with lots of interested attendees) or recreational tree climb (option for participants to climb more than once if no line- great for smaller groups).
For more information on pricing and details, please see our info sheets on offsite festival climbing or offsite recreational climbs. Steff (smerten@riveredge.us, 262-375-2715) is happy to answer any questions or start the planning process with you!
Birthday Parties
The best birthday party ever! Bring your group to Riveredge for your own private tree climbing party. Your tree climbing/birthday party package includes: a two hour tree climbing program for your group, you also rent our “Coop” or a classroom for your celebration (cake, presents, gathering place, etc.) for just $50 . This is a special option for our members only. Not a member? The entire family can join for as little as $40!
Price: $200 minimum (1-10 climbers); + $20/person for each additional climber. If weather does not allow for climbing, you may still use the “Coop” for your celebration for a $50 rental fee and you will not be charged for climbing that does not occur. A group of ten climbers can expect to climb for approximately 45 minutes each; larger groups are welcome, but individuals will have slightly less time to climb. Nature exploration tools and a huge area of the woods are provided for the birthday party kids who are not currently climbing to use and explore!
Contact Steff to schedule a date and time: smerten@riveredge.us or (262)375-2715
Featured on
The tree climbing movement is catching on! Click their logos below to check out the great coverage from some of the region’s top news outlets for a better idea of how tree climbing works and why we do it!
I’ve just got a fewww questions.
IS THIS SAFE?
Absolutely! Safety is our biggest focus. Facilitators at Riveredge have been trained by the Global Organization of Tree Climbing approved organization Tree Climbing Colorado and follow only approved practices and procedures for institutionalized climbing.
Tree climbing has almost 30 years as an organized activity with more than 350,000 climbs conducted worldwide. Prior to climbing, the tree’s setting, root system, bark, trunk, structure, and crown are appraised to assess overall health and appropriateness for climbing activity. Lines are placed only over live limbs that are overly sufficient to support climbing activity. Lines are weight-checked and bounce-tested prior to climbing. Only ANSI-compliant Ness recreational tree climbing saddles and professional arborist rope, along with buckeled Petzl Elios-class helmets are used. Rock climbing saddles and rope do not meet our safety protocols, and are not used. All equipment is inspected before and after each climbing session. By using proper techniques and equipment, and by following all safety procedures, the risk of being off the ground is minimized.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?
Tree climbing is an outdoor experience so prepare as well as you can for conditions the day of your climb. We recommend sunscreen and bug spray, hair ties for shoulder length or longer hair, drinks and snacks, and a camera. We’ll provide the fun!
Clothing wise, comfortable is best! We recommend long pants and a t-shirt to help protect skin from rough bark. Closed toe shoes are required and shoes with a sturdy sole are also recommended. In cooler weather, please dress in layers. If you start getting warm, you can start shedding them!
DO I HAVE TO BE SUPER STRONG TO DO THIS?
No need to bodybuild before coming out! While climbing is great exercise and will certainly help make you stronger, we’ve had climbers of all ages and fitness levels, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know to get up in the trees!
CAN I BEAT MY CHEST AND YELL THE TARZAN NOISE WHILE I SWING FROM THE TREES?
Well, duh!
Any other questions?
There’s nothing we love more than talking about tree climbing! Please don’t hesitate to give our Adventure Education Manager, Steff Merten, a call at 262-375-2715 or smerten@riveredge.us. We hope to see you in the trees very soon!
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