Hearty Roots: Cultivating Youth Resilience in Nature

In Maine (and the world, more broadly), youth mental health is facing an unprecedented crisis. Overstimulated by screens and increasingly disconnected from their peers, young people need spaces where they can slow down, process their emotions, and rebuild self-confidence.

Hearty Roots answered that call with a simple, radical solution: bringing clinical therapy into the woods and onto the water.

Strega Studios partnered with Hearty Roots to produce a flagship brand and impact film highlighting their mission. From their summer camp programs to year-round clinical therapy, we captured the transformative power of nature, community, and mentorship in action.

Outdoor therapy and year-round youth programming can be complex concepts to convey to prospective parents, donors, and school partners. Hearty Roots needed a visual story that seamlessly balanced scientific credibility (explaining how nature lowers cortisol and aids nervous system regulation) with the raw, unscripted warmth of kids just being kids outdoors.

We used an organic, documentary-style approach that prioritized authentic human connection. By capturing perspectives across every facet of the organization, from leadership to clinical therapists, camp counselors to parents, and, of course, campers, we wove together a comprehensive, multi-generational story arc.

The result was a compelling 5-minute brand video that will be used by Hearty Roots to raise awareness, engage local school districts, expand fundraising efforts, and invite new families into their supportive outdoor community.