Camp Cottaquilla is equipped with a new Low Ropes/Team Building Course. The low ropes course is used to provide Team Building and Decision-making programs. Teambuilding retreats can be customized to suit the individuals in your group so don’t worry if your group includes individuals with a wide spectrum of physical abilities. We can modify icebreakers, group initiatives and low ropes to accommodate everyone’s physical abilities.
Low Ropes/ Team Building
The low ropes course includes ice breakers, self-awareness activities, group initiatives, teambuilding, and adventure activities. The activities are designed to offer intentional opportunities for teamwork, communication, trust, and cooperation. The program incorporates unusual group initiative, problem solving, and individual activities that give participants opportunities to examine their strengths, weaknesses, level of commitment, ability to work within the group, and decision making process.
For the group initiative and teambuilding activities, staff facilitators present a challenge to the group. The group must decide on a plan and work as a team, in order to successfully complete assigned tasks. Trained facilitators will observe the behaviors, actions, comments and methods of the group members. Upon completion of each activity, facilitators will help the group analyze their experience with a focus on participation, commitment, cooperation, and communication. Processing the experience in this manner allows group members to recognize strengths and weaknesses, examine personal behavior patterns, and evaluate their problem solving skills. By processing the total experience, trained staff facilitators help participants develop strategies for using new skills when dealing with similar situations on the job and at home. Groups should plan on a minimum of two hours for the Teambuilding and Low Ropes segment.
Ropes Course Safety
Ropes Course activities are conducted according to standards established by the Association for Challenge Course Technology. For more information, go to www.acctinfo.org. Statistics show that ropes courses are five times safer than regular school physical education programs. This safety record is accomplished through the use of safety measures and procedures on low and high ropes elements. For low ropes, facilitators follow strict written operating procedures and activities are sequenced to build necessary skills. Participants are trained in active spotting techniques and supervised closely to insure attentive, diligent spotting. Use of a belay system (safety line) and helmet are mandatory on the climbing wall and all high elements. Harnesses, ropes, belay systems, and equipment are inspected daily and all ropes course activities are supervised by qualified instructors who have attended specialized ropes course training.
The ropes course requires active involvement and physical exertion - minor bumps, scrapes and bruises are a common consequence of enthusiastic, committed participation. Activity areas are equipped with a stocked First Aid kit and Camp Coleman staff is currently certified in American Red Cross First Aid & CPR. Staff is trained to implement the site-specific operating procedures and emergency response plan for each activity area.