Dear CCRC Community,
My name is Zach Stern, and I’m thrilled to be serving as the Ropes Coordinator this summer. This is my 14th summer at camp and my 4th on staff, and I feel incredibly privileged to lead such a meaningful part of the Capital Camps experience.
Our Challenge Course, often called the ropes course, is much more than a set of high elements. It’s a full-day team-building experience designed to help campers grow both individually and as a group. A day at the ropes course offers campers the chance to take on challenges, strengthen communication, and deepen relationships with one another.
Our staff arrive a week early to develop both the “hard” technical skills required to operate the course safely and the “soft” facilitation skills that bring the experience to life. Our goal is not only to help campers push beyond their comfort zones, but also to guide them in building stronger, more supportive cabin communities.
Each ropes day begins with team-building games that challenge campers to work together and communicate effectively. Our staff are trained to help groups navigate moments of tension and engage in meaningful reflection during structured debriefs. The transformation that can take place in just one day is remarkable. Some of my most meaningful moments on staff have come from watching cabins leave the Challenge Course as a more connected and cohesive group.
Capital Camps is the most important place in the world to me, and I’m honored to help create moments of growth, connection, and confidence for our campers.
Respectfully,
Zach Stern