EnEd 4410 Ropes Course Management

1. EnEd 4410Ropes Course Management Ropes Course Elements: Low Course & High Course

2. History of Ropes Courses • Originated as “obstacle course” . • Purpose was to build strength and agility. • Military training • Kurt Hahn began concept within Outward Bound as a means to build community

5. Alan Hale began concept in U.S. with advent of Outward Bound (1962) • Risk was high – minimal back-up & unsophisticated equipment. • Karl Rohnke began Ropes Courses as a specific tool to teach problem solving skills and address psychological dynamics issues (1971) • The “new” evolution began in PE programs. • Equipment became more sophisticated (poles, helmets, harnesses, cables, belaying). • Use broadened to education, recreation, therapy, and organized development.

6. Ropes Courses were focused toward “youth at risk” and as “adjunctive therapy”. Why? • Now it is considered a primary mode of therapy • Nature is not key, Challenge is. • The 1980’s brought about Project Adventure which sets “Industry Standard” in Ropes Course management. • Use has broadened to most camps & nature centers • Used in Corporate Training (Team-building, communication skills, problem-solving skills, Risk-taking strategies, and stress reduction (Bunting study).

7. Now, over 3,000 Ropes courses in U.S. • Formation of Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) sets industry standards. (Karl Rohnke is still part of it) • AEE is the accrediting body.

8. Problems • More than a “fun time”. • Not just a rock climbing transfer. • Inadequately trained staff (hard skills are focus, but soft skills are key). • Poorly designed, constructed, and maintained courses.

9. Low Ropes Course Elements (or “Initiatives”)

10. Purpose of a Low Ropes Course • For groups of people (8-12) • Challenge is in problem solving • Risk is low • Problem solving yields insights toward behavior & communication

11. Outcomes are: • Insights on how individuals communicate within the group • Insights on how the group works as a unit • Insights on how individuals behave within the group (called “group dynamic”) • Suggestions, skills, & practice to improve

12. The Wall (14’ & 12’) Ants-on-a-log

13. Spider Web

14. Trust Fall

15. Wild Woozey

16. Fidget Ladder

18. Swinging Tires Nitro Crossing

19. The Wall (14’ & 12’) Mohawk Crossing or Triangular Tension Traverse

20. High Ropes Elements

21. Purpose of a High Ropes Course • Individual (self) Oriented • Challenge is in perceived risk • Risk is high (perceived) • Problem solving yields insights toward individual response to risk (typically “trust” &/or self efficacy – [courage])

22. Outcomes are: • Insights on the individual’s self belief’s • Insights on the individual’s self-talk • Insights individuals behavior to the challenge/risk (called “self-efficacy”) • Suggestions, skills, & practice to improve

23. Giant’s Ladder Pamper Pole

24. Zip Wire Cat Walk or Beam Climbing Wall

25. Postman’s Walk

26. Postman’s Walk

27. Heebie Jeebie

28. Multi-Vine Heebie Jeebie

29. Multi-Vine

30. Cargo Net

31. The Beam or Cat Walk