The Climbing Experience

What's it like to sit in the branches?
"Our comparison of tree-assisted therapy found greater reductions in participant tension, anxiety, depression, and anger and a greater increase in participant vitality."

​- Dr. John Gathright
Comparison of the Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Tree and Tower Climbing (pdf)
Recreational Tree Climbing with Treetop Explorer & Hartford Parks Department (4:56) - TnF Videos

​​​Benefits of Tree Climbing

​Great exercise
Builds self-confidence
Extends attention span
Develops creative thinking
Increases positive emotions
Reduces stress
Engaging outdoor activity
Family friendly activity
Decreases negative emotions
Connection to the natural world
Facilitated Climbing Experience
(See Rec, Open, Adult, Girl Scout climbs)
Watch climbers take to the trees during a facilitated climb! (0:52)
Take a trip into the trees to see what awaits! (1:57)
Trained Climber Experience
(see Learn-to-Climb classes)
Climber going up for first time.  (3:25)​
​Video used by permission of Tree Climbing Colorado,  Harv Teitelbaum is a founding member and past president of the Global Organization of Tree Climbers.​
Experienced climbers spend 5 days traversing 1KM/82 trees across the forest canopy.  (27:11)​

What does the research show about spending time with trees?

Therapeutic and Societal Benefits from Technical Recreational Tree Climbing Programs 
​John Gathright - Urban Forestry & Urban Greening (pdf)
Benefits and risks of tree climbing on child development and resiliency 
Carla Gull, Suzanne Levenson Goldstein, Tricia Rosengarten - International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education​ (pdf)
How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain
Gretchen Reynolds - The New York Times (pdf)
​
Exploring Connections Between Trees and Human Health
USDA Forest Service Science Findings (pdf)

More benefits discussed on our Stories & Studies Pinterest board