For the first portion of the morning, your group will be engaged in activities that will be setting the foundation for the rest of the day. These activities are creative games and situations that work on problem solving from different perspectives. These activities will also deal with goal setting and looking out for each other. They demonstrate the importance of working together as a team to view a problem, coming up with a strategy to solve the problem and carrying through with the solution.

Low ropes course elements are characterized by group rather than individual participation and the absence of belay needs; i.e., rope protection. Many of the low events are individually challenging, such as the Tension Traverse and the Wild Woosie. The safety offered by group participation results in building team responsibility.

Low elements are group challenges that take people working together physically and mentally to achieve a goal; for example, Passover, Oronoco Crossing, or the Spider’s web. Low ropes course activities provide groundwork and solution orientation for “real life” problems associated with personal relationships, school, occupations, etc.

Oronoco Crossing A simple rope swing suspended between two trees becomes one of our most stimulating initiative elements. The object is to transport the whole group and a bucket full of water across an open area using the rope swing. Your group will have to land on a 2’ by 2’ platform and keep at least one foot on it at all times. The situation that is given your team works on the areas of problem solving, evaluating the situation, coming up with some solutions and putting them into action. Benefits/Challenges: Problem solving, frustration, compassion, team building, decision making.

Spider Web Using thin bungee cord and two parallel trees, we constructed a large spider web with 2’ spaces between the strands. Besides looking great, it is a great group initiative activity. The group passes their members through the spaces in the web, with only one person allowed through each hole in the web. Oh, did we mention that if your body touches any part of the web you become blind and mute? This element brings with it a great basis for communication but also the need to be cautious in carrying out the solutions. Benefits/Challenges: Group cooperation, trust, team building, appropriate touching, support, approval, frustration, problem solving.

Passover See how efficiently your entire team can safely get up and over the 7’ smooth log. This giant log suspended between two trees provides the challenge, which your team must face. In addition to sending your team up and over the log you must also contend with members of your team being blindfolded or holding small containers of water that can not be spilled. There may even a member of your team in a rescue stretcher. One of our most enjoyable and perplexing elements. Benefits/Challenges: Problem solving, teamwork, trust, dealing with fear, communication, decision-making, balance and coordination.

Mohawk Imagination plays a large part toward enjoyment of this group traverse. A series of low cables tautly strung between trees coupled with swing and tension ropes, provides the means for this traversing. Benefits/challenges Personal commitment, problem solving, cooperation, fun, variety.

Noah’s Ark First, the group attempts to get as many people as possible on top of a 3’ table. Secondly, they must pass each member of the group under the table with out touching the legs of the table or the ground then back up on top of the table on the other side. Benefits/Challenges: Appropriate touching, leadership, persistence, decision-making, communication.

Bench Shuffle The group is split into two equal halves with each halve standing on top of a 12 inch narrow bench (trail). The challenge is to transport each halve across an opening (chasm) then onto the other halves bench. This must be completed with out anyone ever falling off one of the benches. In addition each halve must end up in a mirror image on the opposite bench. Oh, we almost forgot to mention certain members would be blindfolded as well. Benefits/Challenges: Balance, motivation, problem solving, appropriate touching, cooperation, communication.

Wall of Jericho This element is for the group that needs a real challenge! The entire group must climb over a 14 foot high wall. The wall is vertical and there are no props in which to aid the group. This element is more for leadership teams. Benefits/Challenges: Group cooperation, spotting, trust, persistence, problem solving.

Wild Woosie This is simply two people attempting to make their way to the end of two diverging cables without either participant falling off. The wires are only 12 inches off the ground, but the element requires the other team members to “spot”. The techniques vary, but the more the participants work together and lean on each other, the farther along they will move on the cables. There will also be an onslaught of soft cushion balls being thrown at the participants. This is a lesson for leaning on each other even when circumstances are out of control. Benefits/Challenges: Communication, trust, problem solving, persistence.

Tension Traverse Here an individual sees how far they can traverse on a taught cable just 12 inches off the ground. They have a rope to assist them that is attached at one point to the same tree that one end of the cable is anchored to. The rope anchor point is 10 feet up and the other end is loose and in the hands of the participant. The team will help support and spot for safety during the initiative. A great twist is to add the cumulative distance traversed by each member of the group and come up with a group record in actual distance traversed. A challenge to be had again and again by the group. Benefits/Challenges: Group cooperation, persistence, balance, motivation, exhilaration and self-esteem.

The Maze You and your team will need to navigate and find your way out of the gigantic maze. The maze has lots of dead ends and trap doors in which to contend with. And did we mention you and your entire team will be blind folded while in the maze! This one is great for all ages and will be talked about amongst your group for months to come. Benefits/ Challenges: Group Cooperation, Communication, Patience, Problem Solving

Acid River The group must navigate their way through a treacherous river. Utilizing only 3 wooden beams they must map out a path over the river on the few bricks that sit above the river. This element will require the group to be focused and well disciplined in order to accomplish this challenging element. Benefits / Challenge: Group Cooperation, Problem Solving, Communication, Balance, Decision Making, Trust

“High” is in the eyes of the beholder. High Elements in our terminology refers to the events that must be belayed (rope attachment system) to ensure the safety of a participant. High ropes course events are usually the ones most remembered by participants because of the drama, anxiety, overcoming fear, excitement and exhilaration experienced.

Jesus and Me (J&M) This is the perfect element to begin with for those that are a little nervous or apprehensive about the idea of High Elements. J&M has two parallel cables 42 inches apart, which provide support for the hands and feet, and are approximately 35 feet above the ground. This element is great for starting the process of learning to trust others. Benefits/challenges: Height sensation, satisfaction, personal responsibility, attention to instructions.

John 15 Need a little more challenge? The object is to cross a 40-foot long taut cable approximately 30 feet above the ground with balance help only intermittently available from dangling short spliced ropes hung from another cable which is out of reach of the participant. The short dangling pieces of rope are sequenced far enough apart that the participant must “let go” of his or her piece of dangling rope to grasp the next one. Each progression to the next dangling rope requires the participant to “go for it.” This is a great element for trying things that are not in your comfort zone. Benefits/challenges: Doubt, insecurity, decision-making, balance, reach.

Narrow Way The Narrow Way is one of our most popular elements. It is 35 feet off the ground and the object is to walk on the log from one tree to the other, a distance of about 40 feet. The key is to keep your balance and to know you are taken care of the whole way through. This exercise brings a lot of emotions and thoughts into view as you take your body through a walk on the high side. Benefits/challenges: Climbing fears, balance, self-esteem, confidence, trust, mental discipline.

Upward Call Here is one to test your commitment, balance and strength. This element is one that you must do with a partner and brings into focus the fact that there are some things we can’t accomplish on our own. From the ground you and a partner will climb onto the top of a beam 4 feet off the ground. You will both then attempt to climb onto the next beam above and so on until you and your partner are standing on the highest beam. The distance between the beams starts at 4 feet and gets 6 inches greater each progression. Total distance to the top is 40 feet. Two cables that hang down connect the beams into a ladder that swings freely as you climb. Benefits/challenges: Single – Commitment to continue, concentration, balance. Duo – Trust, teamwork, communication, support.

Leap of Faith Up for an incredible challenge? This element will keep you coming back again and again. The participant must climb up to the top of an actual telephone pole, stand up on the top unassisted, and dive to catch a trapeze, six feet away, or perhaps slip while trying to maneuver on top of the pole. The intensity of the experience results from not having anything to hold onto while precariously attempting to stand on the pole. Once standing, it’s just balance and the will to remain erect that keeps the participant from falling off. A very strong rope (belay), which is controlled by the instructor, supports the participant. Sometimes taking a risk and going for it is exactly what we need to do to turn the corner. This element brings that out. Benefits/challenges: Fears, commitment, uncomfortable, trust, exhilaration, pride, and self-esteem.

Tree of Life Probably the most physically challenging element we offer. This element is a bit different than the rest in that it is set up to simulate a rock climbing experience. The element is 80 feet high and you climb up the tree using wooden blocks that are different shapes and sizes. You are faced with having to plan each step in advance as you go, making sure not to only use upper body strength but to use your leg strength as well. At the top is a bell to be rung to signify your accomplishment to the rest of the group and then it’s a fun rappel down the tree. Benefits/challenges: Confidence, trust, climbing fears, self-esteem.

Centurion In terms of thrill, commitment, and nitty gritty mental power, the centurion is the “top of the line.” This 100-foot element, the tallest rope element in the nation, is a sight to behold and a life changing challenge. The participant climbs up the tree to a platform then walks out to the end of the platform and leaps for a trapeze 5 feet out in front of the platform. Whether or not the participant can catch the trapeze is not the point. The trust and faith exhibited to attempt this element will provide life and spiritual applications to share with the whole group. Benefits/challenges: Personal commitment, stamina, courage, faith, trust and exhilaration.Also available is our new six-sided climbing tower with vertical playpen and exciting 500-foot zip line that will take your breath away!

Please contact us for further details and how we can best plan your adventure experience