Hearty Roots was recently awarded the “Trailblazer Award for the Outdoor Innovation of the Year” by Maine Outdoor Brands. Hearty Roots offers an all-outdoors Therapeutic Adventure program, which marries non-clinical mental health support with land-based and waterway adventure. In 2023, their mindful, informed programming helped 250 kids find their grit while onboarding coping skills to handle big emotions and overwhelming situations. Hearty Roots serves school-aged children throughout Lincoln and Knox Counties. Their innovative approach to social emotional wellness and mindfulness has taken root in school systems, community offerings, group outings, and one-with-one outings. 

“We are grateful to our community members who nominated us, and to the Maine Outdoor Brand Board Members who chose to recognize our innovative approach to holistic youth wellness on Maine trails and waterways,” said Jess Ruhlin Donohoe, Deputy Director and Therapeutic Adventure Mentor for Hearty Roots. “Time in nature is therapeutic,” added Lisa Katz, Clinical Social Worker at Lincoln Academy, and board member for Hearty Roots. “In nature, our nervous system calms and our mind is more at peace and more open to growth and learning. Hearty Roots takes this natural process a step further by providing caring and skilled mentoring during adventure activities in our beautiful Midcoast region. This award highlights how lucky our local youth are to have the opportunity to build resilience, self-esteem, and positive mental health with Hearty Roots. All the ingredients are present for incredible personal growth and healing to take place,” Katz continued.

Maine Outdoor Brands was launched in 2017 and works to create opportunities for local business leaders and entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and collaborate, and shout their praises from the mountaintops to elevate the Maine Outdoor Brand on both a national and international stage. Keeping in line with their belief that we are stronger together, they partner with Maine’s Outdoor Office of Recreation to support career exposure and recruitment to ensure the Maine outdoor industry has a thriving, top-shelf workforce.   

Hearty Roots was honored to accept the award on behalf of their pioneering team of supporters, and invites all readers to support children to “get off the grid and into their hearts.” The organization welcomes readers to join like-minded adventures on New Year’s Day for the first annual Hearty Roots “Plunge for a Purpose” at Pemaquid Beach. Hardy locals will help raise funds to provide scholarships and programming for local youth. For more information on upcoming events, Hearty Roots year-round programming, summer offerings for youth, teen retreats, in-school offerings, adult saunters, supporting the organization, or sponsoring a child’s hearty adventure through scholarship, visit heartyroots.org. The team at Hearty Roots can’t wait to join you in Maine’s wild, where journeys overlap.