What is a challenge ropes course?

The challenge course industry grew out of a desire to implement a wilderness type experience in a fixed setting, as opposed to the expedition setting. A course is defined as a series of activities, sometimes on or close to the ground (usually referred to as a low ropes course) and sometimes built on utility poles or trees, or in the rafters of a building (a high ropes course).

Challenge courses are installed in wide variety of places–schools, camps, park districts, and outdoor education centers, as well as in corporate training centers. Each course can serve a single group, such as students in a school. The single identifying feature is that most often, it is an intact group which comes together to share the challenge course experience, and that a curriculum is designed for the specific outcome desired by that group. 

The course itself is comprised of many different elements. Names of these elements vary throughout the industry, as do belay systems, access systems, the number of elements at a course and the sequence of the elements. Each course is individually designed and built to accommodate the local terrain, climate, and program delivered at that site.

Climbing walls have also become increasingly popular over the last years, partly for recreational purposes, and partly as educational tools. When climbing walls are built for educational purposes, they are often used in conjunction with a challenge course.

Introduction

The Challenge Course is a unique program: it is a high reward, seemingly high risk activity. While there is some risk involved in participating on the Ropes Course, it has been greatly minimized by strict and thorough safety measures. On high elements, for example, participants wear a safety harness system. If they fall, they are suspended in the air by a safety (belay) line. The participants may logically understand that they are safe, but their knees still shake when they are 30 feet up. In other words, the perceived risk is much greater than the actual risk. This is what makes the Ropes Course a mental challenge as well as a physical one.

Goals & Objectives

Each ropes course program should have some established goals and objectives. This creates a focus for the program and a deliberate and clear set of expected outcomes. These outcomes can be set by the group, individuals or the sponsoring organization.

The facilitators and ropes course program will also have predetermined, underlying objectives that support and complement the group’s objectives. In very basic terms, these may be:

• Provide a fun and safe experience.

• Provide an appropriate, sequential series of activities / experiences.

• Create an atmosphere where the participants feel comfortable enough to ‘stretch’ personally beyond self-imposed limits.

So WHY participate?

• It is a thrilling and fun thing to do.

• Commitment to perform where there is uncertainty of results is a healthy decision-making process.

• Proving to oneself that a seemingly insurmountable problem can be overcome is enlightening and satisfying.

• There is evidence that there is a significant positive carry over from the experience of successfully completing a demanding, fabricated problem as compared to overcoming everyday problems.

Getting out there and playing, and enjoying the Challenge Ropes Course is what it is all about. Most of all have fun! It is an incredible process.

UCCR Camps with Ropes Courses

Monte Toyon: Low & High Ropes Course, Climbing Wall
Camp Lodestar: Low & High Ropes Courses, Zip Line
Tall Oaks: Low Ropes Course
Community of the Great Commission: Low Ropes Course
Pilgrim Pines: High Ropes

For Ropes Course Rates, please contact the Site Director at the camp you are attending or interested in.

You may also contact Empowering Ventures Inc.

Ropes Course Documents

• Ropes Course Information Letter

• Release & Waiver Form - Monte Toyon & Camp Lodestar

• Release & Waiver Form - Clover Woods

• Group Profile Form

• Challenge Ropes Course Description, Goals & Objectives

• Ropes Safety & Techniques

• Introduction Games

• Camp Cazadero Low Ropes Elements

• Community of the Great Commission Low Ropes Elements

• Camp Lodestar & Monte Toyon Low Ropes Elements

• Camp Lodestar High Ropes Elements

• Monte Toyon High Ropes Elements