Campus for Mindful Adventure Get Off The Grid & Into Your Heart What is Hearty Roots? Camp Activities Testimonials & Photos Videos In The News The Appeal of Awe
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Taproot Therapeutic Adventure Teen Programs Saunters Pop-up Adventures & Outing Clubs Summer Adventures
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Scholarship Partners Community Partners Philanthropic Foundations

We’re on a mission to guide youth off the grid and into their hearts

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What is Hearty Roots?

Finding Adventure

We’re all about meeting each kiddo right where they are. New to playing in the outdoors, or seasoned pros, we have something for everyone. Adventure doesn’t have to be grand. In fact, daily adventure in small doses is good for the soul. Even science says so!

 
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Campfire Building

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Hiking

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Cross-Country Skiing

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Backcountry Planning

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Overnight Camping

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Fat-Tire Biking

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Trail Navigation

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Stand-Up Paddle Boarding & KAYAKING

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nature exploration

 

Digging Deeper

In addition to the outdoor component of our program, what makes us special is our social-emotional curriculum which inspires kids to dig a little deeper and reflect. While our work is therapeutic, it is also non-clinical. There are inherent strengths in every young person that we cross paths with. Our skilled youth professionals deliver friendly, fun, and supportive programming that helps bring out the inner-shine. Don’t we all need a little help with that at some point in our lives?

 
 
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Journaling

Gratitude Circles

Mindfulness Activities

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Social Skill Development

Goal Setting

Communication Circles

 

Happy Campers

Testimonials - Source

I wish that all of my friends could come to Hearty Roots. Getting to play games, hike, do yoga, and paddle board with Haley and Becca are my roses of the week. Roses are highlights, buds are something we look forward to, and thorns are things that happened that are hard for us. I realized this week that I am actually able to handle the thorns that come my way. I am determined, no matter the size of the thorn. - K.P., Camper, Sessions 1 & 5

Hearty Roots is a place where girls can learn to be girls without make up or cell phones. When we are here, we are wilderness warriors. We like that we’re strong, tough, and work together to make things happen. I love building fires then writing down my feelings while sitting in the forest overlooking a beautiful lake. - A.W., Camper, Session 4

I’ve learned to love who I am, and try harder to find things in my life that I am grateful for. I know that talking about problems that I have with my family is more helpful than fighting - E.G., Camper, Sessions 2 & 3

A special thank you for all of your hard work with our girls at this special Hearty Roots camp. As parents, we would definitely rate it at a 10! Our girls have always been with family during summer and reluctant at times to choose summer activities such as a camp. Hearty Roots was a wonderful experience for them both and nurtured their self esteem and mindfulness along with stepping out of their comfort zone due to their quiet nature around certain groups. Spending time outside paddle boarding, swimming, campfires, and the overnight were surely some of their favorite activities.

-The Gosselins, Parents

I love being a wilderness warrior because we are strong and loving at the same time. I've never been to camp before, mostly because I haven't had rides to get there, but also because I have a hard time making friends. I went to two sessions of Hearty Roots, and I feel like a real girl. These are people who understand me, and taught me how to paddle board, sleep in a tent, and build a fire. I wish Hearty Roots was every day, because it's the happiest I've ever been. I have super powers now, and I believe for the first time ever that people do care about me.

- J.J., Camper

My daughter Kiki joined the first session of Hearty Roots Camp this June. Kiki overcame certain fears and doubts and rediscovered her love of being outside, in the woods, with other girls her age,  excited for the next day and their new adventures, and so excited to tell me what she did during the day. Kiki was also able to join another week later on in the Summer and again enjoyed the group and the experience immensely!

- Betsy Pitcher, Parent

Videos From The Heart

 

Our Campers tell us what makes Hearty Roots so special to them!

 

Parents & staff reflect on the power of hearty roots

In The News

2024

Boothbay regional elementary school announces new outdoor club, classroom space - boothbay register

Hearty Roots Hosts ‘First fire’ - boothbay register

Local camps make nature accessible for kids with autism - Portland press herald

Hearty roots hosts 3rd annual paddle for a purpose - boothbay register

CTL STUDENT Research Maine Non-Profits (and HEarty roots - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

Hearty Roots finds permanent home in bremen with land purchase - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

A weekend in the woods for teens - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

A walk in the woods, hearty roots style - boothbay register

POrtside Real Estate Group Chooses Hearty Roots as ‘1% back to maine’ recipient - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

eighteen grants will boost maine community conservation projects - portland press herald

Hearty roots raised fun and friendships with a hardy new year’s plunge - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

2023

POINT32HEALTH FOUNDATION Grants Support To HEARTY ROOTS’ MENTAL HEALTH WORK - YAHOO FINANCE

TRAILBLAzers in a trailblazing industry - Boothbay Register

HEaRTY ROOTS WINS 2023 “outdoor innovation” award - MAINE BIZ

HEaTHER ABELLO WINS 2023 LEADERS & LUMINARIES AWARD - PENBAY PILOT

Hearty Roots Raises $500,000 for new campus - WISCASSET NEWSPAPER

Hearty Roots gets local teens into Maine’s wild - boothbay register

HEARTY ROOTS Partners with island institute - boothbay register

Peter ALFOND FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HEARTY EXPANSION - Maine Biz

LeaH K. Bauer Joins The board of Hearty Roots - boothbay register

navigating the pathways between teens and technology - boothbay register

SEND A MESSAGE THAT ISN’T A TEXT - boothbay register

all smiles at sunbeam camp - boothbay register

Hearty roots on the move - boothbay register

Hearty Roots at Hog Island - Boothbay Register

Hearty Roots looks to fill Midcoast’s mental health needs - Boothbay Register

Paddle The damariscotta river in support of kids - Boothbay Register

Earth Day Explorations with Hearty Roots - Boothbay Register

Hearty Roots Launches Capital Campaign for Permanent Campus - The LINCOLN COUNTY NEWS

Bezon named ‘Outstanding Woman’ - Boothbay register

Taproot Therapeutic Adventures Expands… - The Lincoln county news

Tap into Hearty Adventures - Boothbay Register

Fall into Outdoor Adventure - Boothbay Register

Ray of Light at Hearty Roots - Boothbay Register

Coastal Rivers Lends Land to Hearty Roots - Boothbay Register

Hearty Roots Fundraiser Paddles to Success - The Lincoln County News

Small-Scale Kid Camp Gets Big Support - The Lincoln County News

Hardy Kids at Hearty Roots - Boothbay Register

Rest and Restore: Midcoast Maine Style (Women’s Retreat) - Boothbay Register

Statement of Inclusivity: Hearty Roots believes every human should feel safe and supported at home, in their communities, and in the outdoors. We do not exclude people based on social economics, race, national origin, age, religion, disability, sex, mental health conditions, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Hearty Roots believes in the restorative power of the outdoors to bring us closer to each other and our wild spaces.

Our organization was built on the principle of treating others with kindness and empathy, and we retain this approach in all programming, hiring, and community outreach. Our organization treats all humans with respect and care, and we challenge ourselves to listen, learn, and do more in order to affect generational change in Maine. We stand in solidarity with changemakers as we welcome humans, engage ideas, and equalize programs & purposeful partnerships.

Land Acknowledgement: All programs at Hearty Roots are dedicated to reflection, respect for humans, and respect for the land. In such, we recognize that we work in the homeland of the Wabanaki people, the original stewards of the Wabanakik. We recognize that healing begins with conversations. We Participate in—and encourage—active and engaging approaches to discussions around land sovereignty and stewardship, and extend an invite TO visit mainewabanakireach.org, the Wabanaki REACH organization. The work ahead is communal work, and there is a place for every voice.