challenge ropes course
Our Challenge Ropes Course is designed to powerfully reflect the challenges groups face in working together: strategy, coaching, teamwork, goal setting, implementation and time pressures. Utilizing a real- life environment, a “fantastic jungle gym” in the redwoods, creates a remarkable natural metaphor for flexibility, adaptability and growth.
Participants explore new ways of responding to team challenges through unique activities and facilitated discussions. Seemingly unachievable tasks are accomplished and celebrated through team support, coaching, and focusing on desired goals.
We work with you to design your day based on your team objectives, incorporating activities like the Spider Web, The Balancing Act, and Giants Ladder to move your team through the stages of active learning.
how the ropes course works
Our experienced staff of facilitators and challenge course technicians will guide your team on an unforgettable and transformative journey in just a few hours. Nestled in the redwood forest on the property of Chaminade Resort and Conference Center, our ropes course provides an environment unlike any other to accelerate team bonding, improve communication, and take your team to new heights!
Participation in the challenge ropes course does not require special physical conditioning or prior climbing experience. “Challenge is by Choice” meaning each individual chooses how they can best participate, given their own desires and capabilities. Featuring both low, ground-based events and high events that involve climbing, everyone is able to fully engage throughout the day whether they choose to climb or not.
Peers will learn how to belay, or manage the rope, for one another, adding to the profound impact as they offer critical support to their peers to help them achieve their goals. The experience is both physically and mentally inspiring, making it the perfect addition to your next team offsite.
who benefits
“Professionals crave more than breakout sessions and PowerPoint decks in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world. They’re seeking meaningful experiences, deeper connections and mental clarity—and few environments support these goals better than the great outdoors. For meeting planners, integrating nature into conference programming isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful strategy for improving engagement, wellness and innovation.”
Smart Meetings - Well Done: Get Out(side)
Teams of every kind — executive leadership, newly forming teams, college sports teams, and cross-functional groups at any seniority level — have benefited from our ropes course experience because it turns collaboration into something you can feel, test, and strengthen in an unforgettable way. The experience establishes a stable foundation of trust fostering better communication and problem-solving. Pairing our experienced facilitators and the powerful environment of the ropes course, teams leave more connected, more confident in each other, and better equipped to take on high-stakes goals back in their daily environment.
ropes course high elements
The Giant’s Ladder is an awesome 8’ wide, 70’ high ladder suspended between 2 redwood trees. The rungs of the ladder are between 3 and 7 feet apart. Participants hold the safety lines for two climbers ascending the ladder at any given time. Climbers find that they achieve greater results by supporting each other and receiving coaching from their teammates on the ground. The Giant’s Ladder is designed for groups to have an opportunity to practice planning, goal setting, and implementation. It is not about physical abilities of individuals, but the capabilities of teams to assess resources, create a strategy, and execute to that strategy.
Learning Themes:
Value of effective planning
Achieving results through partnership while balancing individual with team goals
Exploring the dynamics of managing task, relationship, and process
the giants ladder
the balancing act
The Balancing Act is a high ropes course element with multiple options for how far participants can go. The objective is for climbers to explore and decide the appropriate level of challenge for themselves and set a goal accordingly. Before each person climbs, they will introduce their goal to the rest of the team and share how they would like to be supported. Although only one person can climb at a time, the support from people on the ground has a huge influence on the climber’s ability to meet or exceed their goals.
Learning Themes:
Giving and receiving effective coaching
Building trust among team members
Individual insights about risk taking and reaching greater success with team support
ropes course low elements
the spider web
Four large webs with various shapes and sizes of holes formed by string are set-up beside one another forming an outer and inner area. The group is divided into subgroups – each starting on the outside of one web. The objective is for the group to establish a strategy, during a plan and practice phase, to pass the maximum number of people through the webs during a 6-minutes execution phase. Inherent in this activity is the confusion of competition or cooperation between the groups. The activity is framed such that the more cooperative the group is; the greater success they will achieve.
Learning Themes:
Value of effective planning
Importance of collaboration across boundaries
Exploring communication and leadership in teams
the wild woozy
The Wild Woozy is a low ropes course element that will challenge your teams ability to trust, align, and iterate. The objective is for two participants, with the support of all others, to traverse out as far as possible along two diverging cables (forming a V shape). Each pair that attempts the challenge will provide valuable data to the rest of the team - examining their strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate goal is to “lean in” and trust your partner and support team to continually improve upon each previous result.
Learning Themes:
Create alignment and trust within the team
Design agile team processes to target success
Recognize the importance of effective communication within a team environment
teams of all types benefit from the ropes course
plus hundreds of others…
frequently asked…
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Our Ropes Course designs typically run about 4-hours. Have less time than that? No problem! We are able to design a great event that will fit within your agenda.
We typically don’t recommend courses shorter than ~2 hours.
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The Ropes Course can accommodate teams as small as 3-4 people and as large as 75 people.
Larger groups will require a greater time commitment. Our goal is to maximize engagement, learning, and fun.
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Challenge is by Choice on our Ropes Course - meaning you don’t have to climb if you don’t want to! We encourage all participants to find a way to engage that’s right for them.
There are a number of ways to stay engaged from the ground from belaying to strategizing and coaching.
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There are 5 reasons we’ll ask participants to not climb and instead find ways to participate from the ground.
If you are currently pregnant.
If your weight exceeds 275 pounds.
If you have had a recent surgery or injury.
If you have a known heart condition.
If you have ever been a part of an organ transplant.
If you still have questions, please reach out!
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The ropes course is a great fit for any team regardless of experience level, industry, or function. From sports teams, to engineers, to c-suite executives — the Ropes Course can help your team!
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We recommend at least 2 weeks of notice when booking to ensure availability of your desired date.
Certain times of year (Summer-Fall) are busier and may book up more quickly.
Contact us today to get on our calendar!