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Cornell University

Tree Climbing Courses

Tree climber in the Finger Lakes

Private Courses

All our courses are open to anyone. Individualssmall groups, educators, scientists and professionals, and youth groups often take private lessons. Once or twice a year we offer expeditions to climb in the Redwoods and the Costa Rican Rainforest. You can Request a Program on any of the days available on our Calendar of Events.

PE Credit Tree Climbing

Our PE credit courses are offered three times per semester in Ithaca, New York, and once a year in Costa Rica. Taught in a group setting, these courses cover the basics of tree hazard assessment, line placement, ascending, descending and moving around in the canopy. We visit several locations around the areas, sampling a few different environments and tree species. A much anticipated highlight of our local and international courses is the tree overnight. We have the option of camping out on our tree platforms or sleeping suspended in hammocks between branches of the same tree! All equipment is included in the course fee.

For more information see our PE Courses page.

Custom Courses

If you are interested in designing a custom course, below is a sample list of lessons that we could incorporate in a course.

You can Request a Program on any of the days available on our Calendar of Events. Be sure to include details of exactly what kind of instruction you are interested in.

  • Tree hazard identification

  • Line insertion
  • Hauling
  • Single rope techniques
  • Double rope techniques
  • Alternative climbing styles (direct aid, unicender, etc.)
  • Rappelling
  • Tree to tree traverse
  • Managing students in trees
  • High Angle Rescue
Tree Climbing Participant Waiver

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