Half Day of Lows With ONe High Element

5 hour program

LOW COURSE

Facilitators guide groups through a progressive sequence of games, challenges, and trust building activities. This process promotes bonding, cooperation, communication and recognition of the group’s strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the program, time is taken to debrief what the group experiences in order to transfer concepts learned in each activity to experiences in the office, classroom, residence hall, or on the playing field. These discussions encourage group members to respectfully discuss what they saw, how they felt, and how the team performed, communicated, and collaborated. The process of planning, working, and discussing together as group ultimately brings the group members closer together.

The activities chosen for each group vary depending on demographics, fitness levels, group preference and the goals of the group (as discussed in the reservation process). Program plans can change throughout the day based upon the progress of the group and the safety mindedness of the participants. Not all groups will do activities that include spotting and lifting.

In addition to the countless icebreakers, initiatives, and fun games the OEC facilitators have to offer, some of the constructed low elements at the OEC Challenge Course that you might experience include:

• All Aboard
• Islands/Mountaintops
• King’s Finger
• Mohawk Walks I & II
• Nitro Crossing
• Spiderweb
• TP Shuffle
• Trust Fall
• The Wall
• Whale Watch
• Wild Woozy

HIGH COURSE

High course elements have traditionally been used as a tool to physically and mentally challenge individuals. While this is a feature of any high course experience, team building and group cohesion can also be accomplished. High course programs are great for groups who know each other well and for groups who want to learn more about each other. The intention of each program is to encourage members to push past perceived personal limits. No-one is ever coerced or required to do any challenge course element they choose not to do.

All challenge course elements (including high elements) are conducted with the utmost attention to safety. All necessary equipment such as harnesses, carabiners, helmets, and ropes are provided, managed, fitted and set up by trained Outdoor Education Center employees.

The Pole Course

The Pole Course consists of four separate elements. Each element is executed independently of the others and all are belayed by trained OEC facilitators. While not all of these elements will be incorporated as part of a half-day low/high experience, all of the pole course elements are available and may be selected for your group as part of a high course program. The individual elements are:

• “Blackbeard” – The new double (side-by-side) Zipline
• The Power Pole (a.k.a. Pamper Pole)
• The High Wild Woozie
• The Flying Squirrel