We’re on a mission to guide young people off the grid & into their hearts.
We envision a world where every young person has a place where they can breathe deeply, get muddy, take healthy risks, build meaningful relationships, and remember who they are.
Swimming Upstream
What if what kids need most isn't another thing to do?
What if they need people who know them, places where they belong, room to breathe, and the chance to discover what they're capable of? That's where we start.
We swim upstream—showing up early, building relationships, creating belonging, and giving young people meaningful experiences that help them grow before they're in crisis.
It's about more than the adventure. A hike is a hike. A campout is a campout. What makes Hearty Roots different is what happens along the way. Young people are known here. They try hard things with people they trust, reflect on what they're learning, and come back season after season. That's how an experience becomes a relationship—and a relationship becomes a place to belong.
From a scrappy idea to a community.
Nine years ago, Hearty Roots was a homegrown idea: get kids off the grid and into their hearts. Get outside. Try something new. Explore feelings. Discover joy. Have an adult who genuinely cares. That idea has grown into a year-round community serving 1,600 young people in 2026—with a home in Bremen, headquarters in Damariscotta, and programs woven into schools and communities across Lincoln County. We're still growing. We’re still learning. And we're still figuring out what’s possible.
Find Your Way In
Whether you're looking for an adventure, a community, a trusted mentor, or a little more support—there's a place for you here.
your instincts are right.
Our approach is beautifully simple. It’s also informed by research on positive childhood experiences, youth mentoring, nature connection, and social-emotional development. Review the Science.
Hearty Roots In The Wild
We’re part of a bigger conversation about what young people need to thrive. Check Out Shannon Parker’s Maine Policy Review Article: Therapeutic Adventure as a Scalable, Accessible Solution to Maine’s Youth Mental Health Crisis.
