SumMAT Camp Activities
Our SumMAT Camp programs are jam-packed with adventure!
Here are some more detailed descriptions to help you learn a little more about what we do.
Day Camp Activities
Outdoor Rock Climbing
Location: Our outdoor climbing days take place at Lower West or The Nap (located along Bolton Notch Road), or the Bolton Dome off Route 2. All of these climbing areas are in Bolton VT. Some of the best and most appropriate climbing in Vermont for our age groups lies here, only 25 - 30 minutes away.
Climbers climb 50 to 90 feet on top rope on Vermont’s quartz-abundance green schist. Climbers wear harnesses and helmets for safety.
Staffing: During outdoor climbing, an additional “climbing specialist”, who has specific climbing and rescue training, is added to make the ratio 3 adults to 10 campers.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Each camp group spends at least one camp day at our facility in Burlington VT.
Our indoor day includes:
rope & auto-belay climbing
bouldering (climbing low to the ground without a rope)
camp games & tie-dye
high ropes course & team-building games
a walk around the corner to Oakledge Park
Kayaking
Our groups participate in flat water and occasionally swift water kayaking (no whitewater). All paddlers, including staff, wear PFDs at all times while on the water.
Locations: Waterbury Reservoir, LaPlatte River, Lake Champlain, or the Winooski River (Waterbury Dam to Bolton). Locations are chosen based on weather conditions & local knowledge.
Staffing: On kayaking day, an additional “kayak specialist” with specific kayak safety and rescue skills works with the group go make the ratio 3 adults to 10 campers.
Location: Petra Cliffs operates the high and low challenge courses at Bolton Valley Resort.
The course is in a beautiful wooded area off the Nordic ski trails. The high course includes a four-part circuit with balancing elements that is 30 feet off the ground, and a Giant Swing element.
Ropes course participants always wear a harness and helmet, and are attached to a rope at any height on the course. The low course includes cable walks and low-to-the-ground balancing, problem-solving, and resource management challenges.
Staffing: The Ropes Course Specialist chooses which elements to prepare for the day based on timing, weather, and the abilities of the entire group This specialist is added to make the ratio 3 adults to 10 campers.
Caving
Location: We go to the Colchester Caves. The caves are on town property, but because the trail is on posted private property, we cannot provide walking directions to the caves. Petra Cliffs has been granted permission from the landowner to access the caves.
The caves are marble, and the kids learn about geology and how the caves were formed through erosion. Everyone will get very muddy and wet!
Cavers wear helmets for protection with headlamps attached.
Overnight Expedition Activities
Outdoor Rock Climbing
Location: Our outdoor climbing destinations vary by trip. Our guides carefully select where to climb based on weather, group experience, and a variety of other factors.
In general, our expeditions climb in the following areas:
Caves & Climbs Junior Expedition - Falls of Lana (VT)
Rocks & Rivers Junior Expedition - Chapel Pond area (NY)
New Hampshire Rocks! Expedition - Rumney (NH), Echo Crag (Franconia NH), Cathedral Ledge (Bartlett NH), Square Ledge (Gorham NH)
Staffing: During outdoor climbing, an additional “climbing specialist”, who has specific climbing and rescue training, is added for the day. For 7-day expeditions, one of the leaders doubles as a guide.
Indoor Rock Climbing
Upon returning to Petra Cliffs at the end of each expedition, the group will have an opportunity to do some indoor climbing in our facility. Depending on time, clean up, and the interests of the group, camper may have a chance to do some of the following:
rope & auto-belay climbing
bouldering (climbing low to the ground without a rope)
camp games & tie-dye
high ropes course & team-building games
Caving
Location: Weybridge Cave is located in Weybridge Cave Natural Area and is one of the biggest cave systems in Vermont.
After a short hike through fields and forests, campers arrive at the entrance: a humble hole that speaks nothing of the rappels and tunnels that lie below. Campers scramble, rappel, and squeeze through the cave, exploring different chambers and termini.
Everyone will get muddy while learning about the caves' geology and environment. All cavers wear harnesses and helmets, plus headlamps for light, at all times.
Staffing: An additional Climbing Specialist joins the group for caving at Weybridge to rig the technical systems and guide everyone through the cave. All Climbing Specialists have specific climbing and rescue training. The ratio for caving at Weybridge 3 adults to 10 campers.
Location: Petra Cliffs operates the high and low challenge courses at Bolton Valley Resort.
The course is in a beautiful wooded area off the Nordic ski trails. The high course includes a four-part circuit with balancing elements that is 30 feet off the ground, and a Giant Swing element.
Ropes course participants always wear a harness and helmet, and are attached to a rope at any height on the course. The low course includes cable walks and low-to-the-ground balancing, problem-solving, and resource management challenges.
Staffing: The Ropes Course Specialist chooses which elements to prepare for the day based on timing, weather, and the abilities of the entire group This specialist is added to make the ratio 3 adults to 10 campers.
Camping
Location: Our camping locations vary by trip. We stay at a mix of state park campgrounds, private campgrounds, and American Alpine Club campgrounds throughout New England.
Specific trip itineraries will be sent out 1-2 weeks prior to each trip.
Staffing: Camp leaders sleep in their own tents located nearby in case of emergency. Tent assignments are designated by gender & buddy requests, with additional accommodations based on participant gender identity.
Gear: Petra Cliffs provides tents and group kitchen gear. See expedition packing list in handbook for details. Campers are expected to contribute to shared camp responsibilities, such as dish-washing, cooking, gathering water, etc.