Relationship building, communication and trust. That’s what a Challenge Course period is really all about.
Director Dave and his dedicated Challenge Course team kick things off with a creative icebreaker activity on the Snow Field. Then it’s into the woods for the low and high elements.
The low elements consist of cables between trees, assorted obstacles, swinging ropes and balancing platforms. Each is designed as a challenge for both the group and the individual. For example, take the Nitro Crossing. For this activity the group must strategize a way to retrieve a rope using a foot loop, and then they have to get the entire group and a can of water (the “nitro”) over to the other side without spilling. Bunk 20 had a unique plan. They decided to take off their shirts and tie them together in a way to help them to achieve the goal. Of course the shirts ended up wrinkly, but they made it to the other side.
The high elements involve the use of harnesses, helmets, belay gear and supportive teams on the ground. It takes tremendous courage and will power to climb the tree to the zip line, scale the inclined log or to leap across the multi-line traverse. The Challenge Course is a good place to take a safe chance, especially when friends and staff are guiding and encouraging.
Each participant is given specific responsibilities at the Course. There are numerous safety procedures in place, both on the ground and in the trees. It typically requires a staff of seven to execute the activity, and usually it’s just a couple of bunks there at a time.
The final wrap-up on the ground includes a debriefing discussion. The guys talk about what worked and what didn’t, and they “spotlight” each other with positive praise. If you didn't try climbing today, there's always tomorrow!
Tonight's Evening Activity was the Divisional Parties. That’s when each group goes to a different part of camp for pizza and a movie. The luckiest were the Tigers. They got to be in the Counselor Barn.
Heard this today:
“My mom can’t talk until she has coffee.”
We understand.
