At the beginning of each day when a cabin or village comes to the Ropes Course, we go over the full-value contract:
- Safety
- Respect
- Commitment
- Listen
- Have fun.
These are the foundational rules for the Outdoor Adventure program at camp. Most kids have heard the ever-so-important rules of “Be safe, be respectful, and listen” in most of their life outside of camp, but what sets the Outdoor Adventure Program apart is the addition of commitment as a rule.
A common phrase heard on the ropes course is, “Challenge by choice, but participation is mandatory.” When campers step onto the ropes course they are making a commitment to themselves and their cabinmates to try their best and participate to the best of their ability.
We respect campers’ boundaries of what makes them feel safe while empowering them to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Each camper has their own line of where their comfort zone is. For some, it’s at the top of the climbing wall, and for others just putting on a harness can be frightening. We meet campers where they are, allowing campers to choose their own challenges while still making sure they are participating with the group and feel comfortable. On the zipline, some campers will go down as many times as they can, and for some campers just standing on the top platform watching their fellow cabinmates zip down makes for an incredible afternoon.
We celebrate all victories and cater our challenges to each group. Our campers try new things and are proud of themselves when they push beyond their own expectations. Seeing our campers grow in a safe and supported environment
is the most rewarding part of being a challenge course facilitator.
Sydnie Swain
Outdoor Adventure Coordinator