Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is your cancellation policy?

Reservations are strongly recommended. When you book a tour, we schedule guides and make commitments to vendors to make your adventure memorable.

You may cancel your adventure or tour, at no cost, more than 48 hours (two days) before your scheduled event. Need to reschedule? Please contact us and we can help you pick a new date for your event! Team Building & Parties & Team Bonding events have unique cancellation policies, please be sure to read the details of items you’d like to book, or give us a call with any questions.

If you cancel your adventure or tour 48 hours (two days) or less before your scheduled event, you will not be issued a refund. If you fail to arrive for your adventure/tour appointment and do not notify us to request a raincheck for your event, you will not be issued a refund. We still incur all the same expenses and may have turned others away so you will be charged the full tour price.

If you need to change the date or start time for your adventure, less than two days before you are scheduled, Terrapin Adventures will provide a raincheck or alternate date within six months, but no refunds will be issued.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, while we are periodically able to accommodate walk-in guests we do strongly recommend that you book your adventure online or call ahead for availability. You may book a same-day adventure, but please make sure to check our tour times and availability before walking in. Particularly in our busy season, there are times our park is unable to accept more guests due to other groups on site.

I have a group. How do I get a quote or reserve a date?

Team Building

Groups consist of at least 8 adults or 10 youths. To book a team building program for adults or a field trip for students or scouts, please complete the Team Building Inquiry Form.

We will then contact you, review program options and dates, and walk you through the entire booking process. Team Building programs and Field Trips must sign a contract and guarantee the minimum payment.

Parties, Scout Events, & Team Bonding

Groups of 8 or more also qualify for additional group rates — Party Packages or Team Bonding Packages! You can book your Party Package online at least 2 weeks prior to your desired event date. 

If you are unsure about hitting the minimum amount of participants, we suggest you sign up for the various aerial park adventure packages as individuals (between 1-7 participants).

Do I need to be in good physical shape?

All our adventures and tours require guests to be prepared for light exertion, be able to walk in the woods, and climb stairs unassisted.

Guests must be able to move independently as they moderately exert themselves over the physically challenging course. Terrapin Adventures reserves the right to restrict access or deny admission if it feels the element is not appropriate for the individual.

Those who are pregnant, people with heart, leg or spine problems or other serious illnesses are discouraged from participating on all adventures and tours. Persons unsure of their physical ability should consult their personal physician first. No smoking, chewing gum, profanity, drugs, or alcohol are permitted on the tour at any time.

What are the age, height and weight minimums?

Most elements at our adventure center are okay for anyone 8 years of age or older.

Some of the tours also require participants to be able to handle their own equipment. Our Terrapin Explorer course is appropriate for children between 5 and 10 years old. 

If unsure, feel free to call us with questions. We do have a party package for kids as young as 5 years old. See chart below for age/height/weight requirements for all our elements.

Aerial Adventure Park

Age

Weight

Height

Packages: Adventure Park Experience, Zip & Swing Combo, Archery Adventure, Terrapin After Dark

Elements: High Ropes Challenge Course, Zip Line, Climbing Tower, Giant Swing, Terrapin Flyer

8+ years old 60-275 pounds 48” (4-feet) tall
Element: Terrapin Explorer Kids Pass 5-10(+) years old 35 lbs & up Not geared for adults

 

What should I wear?

All visitors will need to wear closed-toed shoes (such as sneakers) for safety reasons, except for water activities.

Wear comfortable clothing suited for the weather, but please avoid loose clothing (no scarves etc…). Long hair needs to be tied back. Please do not wear any dangling jewelry.

We recommend against bringing valuables such as cell phones, wallets, and cameras, so they don’t fall out of a pocket during your tour. We have a secure place to store your valuables with our front desk but we prefer you leave them in your locked car. Terrapin Adventures is not responsible for property lost or damaged during your tour/adventure.

Should I tip my guides?

Terrapin Adventures believes in showing you a great time! Our specially trained guides are focused on keeping you safe while having a blast — and hey, you might even learn something new! If we made your day great, let our guides know by tipping for great service

The tourism industry standard is 10%-20% of the of your tour. 

What is your weather policy? Do you run in the snow?

Terrapin Adventures operates year-round and our course and tours can and do operate in the rain and snow. Please wear appropriate clothing for being outdoors in that day’s weather.

Terrapin Adventures does temporarily shut down during very high winds or thunder and lightning, much like a public pool. Maryland weather is unpredictable. Rest assured that if Mother Nature tells us the tour is off, we will contact you prior to your event, with as much notice possible.

If inclement weather prevents us from running your adventure or trip, we will issue you a Raincheckvalid for 6 months from the date of your originally scheduled event. We will work with you to find an alternative tour date and time to reschedule your event. It is important to remember that poor weather in your area does not necessarily mean bad weather at Terrapin Adventures.

Please call us, first, if you have concerns about the weather — 301-725-1313! We will call you only if we are certain your tour will not run.

In some cases, tours may be postponed to allow for weather systems to pass. Many memorable tours have occurred right after a storm has passed through.

Do you offer Gift Certificates?

Yes we do! We have a variety of Gift Certificate amounts available for purchase, or you can contact our office to create a custom amount. Please note that Gift Certificates can ONLY be used towards activities at our Adventure Park or our Tours & Trips Beyond the Park.

Gift Certificates are NOT applicable toward our discounted groups rates: Parties, Field Trips, Team Bonding, and Team Building Programs.

Gift Certificates are NOT applicable towards our Camp programs

Gift Certificates are NOT refundable 

When should I arrive for my tour?

Please plan on arriving 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. This will give you enough time to check-in, ensure that your waiver is complete, and prepare for your tour. Late arrivals will be worked in only as can be accommodated. We strongly suggest you complete the consent and waiver form in advance to save time at check-in.

What if I am afraid of heights?

Terrapin Adventures guides have been specially trained to help you overcome any fears!

We offer tours & trips like kayaking or caving, that might be more appropriate for those not interested in aerial adventures.

How safe are the courses?

Your safety is our highest priority. The courses are designed by Inner Quest, an experienced adventure course builder and one of the founders of the Association of Challenge Course Technology and signed off by a licensed Maryland engineer and designed to exceed any expected stresses. The course has also been inspected by the state of Maryland. Guests are always secured by a safety line and the courses have built-in redundancy. Guides have been specially trained in the use of the equipment, first-aid and rescue techniques. Each day the courses and equipment are inspected for wear and proper functioning.

Can I take my camera out on the course?

Yes, but you do so at your own risk. Our guides may ask you to put away your camera when you are in on a section of the course that needs your full attention. .

Why do I need to sign a waiver?

Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk Agreement

Although safety is our primary concern, this is still an adventure center with inherent levels of risk. We want to make sure that you understand what the adventure tours entail and that you agree to participate. Click to complete the Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risk Agreement that you will be signing before we can let you on the course or any tour. Please remember to print it out and bring it in signed to speed your check-in.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Terrapin Adventures accepts cash, major credit cards, and company/organizational checks. We do not accept personal checks or Paypal.