About Treetop Explorer Curt & Jennifer started Treetop Explorer in 2016.
Climbing trees has tremendous physical, emotional, and developmental benefits for the human body and mind. Recreational Tree Climbing is a unique and exciting way to challenge yourself and connect with trees.
Our Recreational Tree Climbing experiences enable you to enjoy exploring the world above the ground in a fun, encouraging, and accepting atmosphere. We offer numerous public climbs and are available for private events like birthday parties, scout troop outings, and staff retreats. Our Learn-to-Climb classes introduce you to the world of technical tree climbing; including the equipment, techniques, and methods that will allow you to enjoy countless hours of tree-time on your own. Treetop Explorer strives to raise awareness of this unique and rewarding outdoor experience across Wisconsin. Climb with us and discover the impact tree-time will have on you! Meet Our Tree Climbing Adventure Guides
I climbed into my first tree as a professional in 1995, and have taken friends and family up to enjoy the unique experience over the years. However, I did not "discover" recreational tree climbing until relatively recently.
Formally trained as an arborist, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to study, climb, work with, plant, teach, and talk about trees for over 30 years. I have learned many things from my time spent with trees. As rewarding and exciting as climbing as an arborist was, it was through climbing simply to enjoy the experience of being in a tree where I found a deeper understanding of myself and my connection to Nature. Climbing trees provides peace and rejuvenation unlike any of my other outdoor hobbies. Upon realizing that others outside of my circle of friends & family were also interested in the recreational tree climbing experience, I knew that Treetop Explorer would be the most meaningful way I could share the benefits and impact that trees and outdoor adventures have on our health and well-being. When I’m not in the trees, Jen and I are enjoying our time together. You may find us relaxing in the garden or working on our goals of completing a half marathon in every state and visiting all of the National Parks. I have climbed trees around the country and have enjoyed countless hours of tree time. Alone or with others, each climb brings a greater appreciation for nature and deeper understanding of myself. The joy of climbing a tree today takes me back to where my love of trees began as a young boy, enjoying the taste of freshly picked tangerines that I carried with me to the top of the oak tree in our front yard. I'd love to share a branch with you & listen to your story! - RTC Senior Instructor - Global Organization of Tree Climbers - RTC Lead Facilitator - Global Organization of Tree Climbers - TCIA Approved Instructor - TCIA Tree Care Academy Academy Certifications: Tree Climber Specialist, SRT Climber, Aerial Rescue, Tree Care Specialist, Plant Health Care Technician - Consulting Arborist & Trainer - Tree Health Specialists - ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #MW-0433B - TCIA Certified TreeCare Safety Professional #2345 - graduate: Davey Institute of Tree Sciences (Highest academic achiever, Class of 1997) - Global Organization of Tree Climbers - Board member, past-president - member - Wisconsin Arborist Association, International Society of Arboriculture, Tree Care Industry Association, Global Organization of Tree Climbers Jennifer - tree climbing adventure guide
My first ascent into the trees was in a beautiful white oak in Indiana almost 15 years ago. Sitting on top of a ridge, the view from high in the canopy stretched out for miles across rolling wooded hills.
Little did I know the course our lives would take to bring us to today. With the desire to create a better work-life balance, Curt and I are fortunate enough to be able to actively pursue our dreams, one of which being to impact people's lives in an enjoyable and rewarding way. While pursuing our respective careers, we worked hard at my previous business in order to provide a comfortable and engaging atmosphere in our Irish pub. The enjoyment and pleasure of providing a quality customer experience is addictive, which is part of the reason we found ourselves drawn to creating a new business focussed on the customer's experience. After achieving many milestones and selling that business 10 years ago, we found ourselves at a point in life where we were once again ready to take a turn and head down the unpaved path. Climbing trees can be energizing and therapeutic, which is very much welcomed at the end of a hectic work week. It also fits right in with my other interests of yoga, hiking, reading, walking, camping, traveling, and finding new ways to relax outdoors. As I continue the pursuit of my personal career, it is a pleasure to be able to host climbers at as many of our climbing events that my schedule allows. - RTC Lead Facilitator - Global Organization of Tree Climbers Amanda - tree climbing adventure guide
Amanda's background as a certified therapeutic recreational therapist and experiential therapist provides her with great understanding and insight into the many benefits our experiences can provide to those who join us in the trees.
Her adventurous personality and active lifestyle has driven her to pursue her credentials as a tree climbing adventure guide. - Treetop Explorer RTC Lead Facilitator Emma - tree climbing adventure guide
Climbing high into a tree for the first time left me feeling invigorated and calm. I knew after my first climb that I was hooked.
I believe that being in a tree can bring a renewed sense of trust in yourself and the environment around you. It can also quench your thirst for adventure and challenge! In my spare time I enjoy camping, hiking, biking, yoga, music and paddling. I teach piano lessons and also play piano in the band The Watchbirds. I look forward to helping people experience the joys, challenges, and benefits of climbing into the treetops! - Treetop Explorer RTC Facilitator Tess - tree climbing adventure guide
- Treetop Explorer RTC Facilitator |
With the popularity of our tree climbing offerings, we have utilized the services of the Waukesha Small Business Development Center. Accelerate (Oct 2018)
"People in the trees" - original art work by Dave B.
- Donated to Waukesha Community Arts Project 
Treetop Explorer procedures comply with the facilitated tree climbing standards put forth by the Global Organization of Tree Climbers. Our lead facilitators are recognized by the GOTC.
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The Climbing Tree
by Curt Andrews
I do not recall the species of my first climbing tree. Ash, elm, oak, I couldn’t say. The memories, however, are still vivid in my mind.
At first, I had to ask my older brothers to give me a boost. As they hoisted me high, I stretched my scratched, bruised summer-time kid arms up to the lowest limb and pulled myself up with an “umph” to sit on the worn branch. In time I grew and was able to jump up and touch the limb. Not much longer after that, I was able to jump up and grab the limb all on my own! That was the climactic day that I could finally get myself into the tree relying solely on my own strength and skill.
By that time, I had already been climbing higher into the canopy and further out on branches. My older brothers had shown me where to hold with my hands and where to place my feet so I could discover different spots in the tree. They encouraged me to challenge myself until I could confidently reach out to the two swinging limbs- limbs you could hold onto with both hands and let yourself hang and swing and yell out wild calls into the canopy.
We had many adventures in that tree. We schemed harmless heists and mused over the standard philosophical school boy chatter. The tree served as our fort where we would plot our neighborhood mischief for the day. Even though it was our fort, we never used a single nail or board. The number of branches and the perfect sitting areas throughout the crown of the tree served as the ideal fort for us.
Oftentimes I'd head up alone on a hot summer day to lay back on one of the limbs that held me as if they had grown for just that particular purpose. Other times I would climb to the "crow's nest", a point where five branches emerged at the same point and curved upward to create a seat which cradled my upper body.
It was here that I could read a book, while swinging one leg lazily between limbs or doze off in the calmness and serenity of the canopy, as thousands of emerald leaves twisted and turned around me in a soft summer breeze. I had discovered tree time.
Treetop Explorer, LLC. - PO Box 2001, Waukesha, WI 53187 - (262) 894-4949. - TreetopExplorerLLC@gmail.com
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