Camp Vertica grew out of a summer spent in the alpine that inspired a vision for something bigger. While working at a sleepaway camp in Estes Park, I spent my days watching young people step outside their comfort zones, trying new things, building friendships, and discovering confidence they didn’t know they had. Being surrounded by mountains and that kind of growth sparked something in me. I started thinking about my own path: growing up climbing in gyms, loving the sport deeply, but not always having easy access to climbing outside. That’s when the idea hit! What if there were a sleepaway camp designed specifically for kids who want to climb outside, but don’t know where to start?

I imagined a place where young climbers who grew up indoors could transition into the outdoor world in a supportive, intentional way. A space where technical skills matter, but so do mentorship, resilience, and community. Camp Vertica was born from that vision, blending the structure and energy of sleepaway camp with the transformative power of outdoor climbing. The name “Vertica” reflects upward growth, not just on the wall, but within each camper as they build confidence, independence, and trust in themselves and their peers.

At first, it felt like a big dream, maybe even too big. But my peers and mentors encouraged me to take it seriously. They saw the need. They saw the potential. With their support, the idea shifted from “what if” to “why not?” That encouragement gave me the push to begin planning, designing a pilot program, building partnerships, and turning notes into action. Thanks to my co coach Addy Tallent (who was equally psyched about the idea), we are able to launch our very first program for summer 2026.

Camp Vertica exists because I believe in the kid who falls in love with climbing inside and wonders what it might feel like outside. It exists because mentorship matters, because access matters, and because the outdoors can shape who we become.

- Kiera Murphy, Founder & Camp Director