A lot of folks may begin to envision American Ninja Warrior style obstacles, games/puzzles taking place in the outdoors, or zip lines and giant swings. While a challenge course does incorporate certain aspects of obstacle courses, adventure parks, and guided tours, the main focus and purpose behind challenge course work isn’t necessarily the physical challenges of the obstacles we create. The obst
acles are developed and implemented in order to get to the heart of what any good challenge course facilitator is aiming for - social and emotional growth in their participants. Social and emotional growth, or social emotional learning, is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning as, “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” A challenge course is a wonderful way to engage students in new methods of education outside of traditional classroom curriculum. This alternative social and emotional learning model provides students with the tools they need to engage in positive relationships with their peers while also helping them navigate the process of learning who they are as people. It provides a unique opportunity for students to learn more, not only about themselves as individuals, but also about their place in society and the world. Success, failure, adventure, risk-taking and uncertainty may all be part of the experience, since the outcome is never totally predictable.
- Most groups and individuals experience a combination of the following benefits:
- Teambuilding
- Personal growth
- Stronger communication skills
- Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
- Increased trust between group members
- Fun! Our challenge course programs consist of:
- Low Course with 25+ elements and field initiatives
- High Course with 4 elements 35-40 feet in the air and a 75 yard zip line
- Traveling Ropes where we bring the low course to you with 50+ portable initiatives
- Rock Wall with 2 walls and more to be added soon
- Trainings where we teach you to be a facilitator of social and emotional learning
For more information please email Billy Hager-DeMyer, Challenge Course Manager, at [email protected].
