Challenge Course Services

I'd like to build a challenge course, where do I begin?

2009-07-09T14:59:48Z

We hear this question frequently and our standard response is; "What are the goals of your program? What are you trying to accomplish with your students, campers, etc.?" Spending some time pondering these questions will ultimately save you time and money. We can help you answer these questions and guide you more accurately as to what you need, to develop a successful adventure program. From a full challenge course to game bags to initiative props - we can make better recommendations and help you build a better program when we understand your program goals. Link to Initial Program Questionaire

Once you decide to move forward, we'd plan a site visit to assess possibilities. We like to send both builders and trainers on these visits, to get the most accurate information and therefore make the best recommendations to fit your needs and budget.

Do I need a lot of money to build a challenge course?

2009-07-09T15:00:48Z

Unfortunately, challenge courses like everything else have increased in cost over the years. We typically build in the range of $5,000 to $50,000. It has become pretty standard for programs that want a good size challenge course to build it in stages over a two to three year period. This helps with the budget and can even support a progression and sequencing of activities that are consistent with curriculum goals and objectives. But, go on to the next question - you may choose another rout to achieve your goals.

Do I need a challenge course to run a successful adventure program?

2009-07-09T15:01:22Z

No! For the past thirty years, many successful, exciting programs have been running their programs without a challenge course or with a minimal number of elements. There's some truth to the notion there's nothing like a high profile ropes course to get people jazzed about adventure learning; but it's not a pre-requisite to a quality program.

Most good programs spend a lot of quality time right on the ground and maximize the games and initiatives that are such a rich part of adventure education.

Is there funding that can help me build a challenge course and develop my program?

2009-07-09T15:01:55Z

Sometimes various grants are available to do this. Currently, the US Department of Education has provided funding called PEP Grants (Physical Education Programs) for schools and organizations throughout the country. Many of these grants have been used to develop adventure education programs. Please call us and we would be glad to help you explore options.

How can I promote the idea of an adventure program to students, parents, staff and administration?

2009-07-09T15:02:28Z

One very successful method has been to sponsor an adventure awareness afternoon, evening, or better yet, a whole day. There is no better way to gain an understanding of adventure education than to experience it first hand. No amount of letters, brochures, videos or lectures can compare to actually doing some adventure activities with those you are trying to win over. High 5 has been involved with this type of program many times over the years, so give us a call for some helpful tips.

Do you need special insurance to run a Challenge Course program?

2009-07-09T15:02:58Z

The simple answer is no. Most schools and organizations have existing insurance that will cover your adventure program. Occasionally, camps or private institutions may need to add a rider to an existing policy to provide adequate coverage. On rare occasions, separate insurance has to be purchased. We have many resources regarding this topic and would be glad to share them with you.

How much does it cost to maintain a Challenge Course on a yearly basis?

2009-07-09T15:03:25Z

An annual inspection is recommended by High 5 and by guidelines put out by the ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology). Costs vary greatly depending upon the size of the course. Prices range from $400 to $1,200. You should expect to need repairs over time, depending on the courses age and exposure to elements. And just like a car, challenge courses kept in good repair on a regular basis tend to have lower annual costs because repairs are not allowed to accumulate over the years resulting in a major one-time expense.

High 5 regularly schedules annual inspections on a "swing." By this we mean a geographic swing through an area that has several locations in need of an annual inspection. We do them all at once and split the travel costs amongst all the sites. This can provide significant savings for each location.

How much training is required to run a Challenge Course program?

2009-07-09T15:03:58Z

Training is the key component to any successful program. You can build a beautiful challenge course but it will remain just that until you have qualified staff to make good programs happen. Just as you would put properly trained lifeguards and swim instructors in charge of a pool and swimming program, you need to ensure that you have qualified and competent staff working on your challenge course. We strongly recommend that staff have a minimum of a five-day skills based training workshop before taking on the demands of running a program. And five days is minimal. We regularly have people come to our training workshops that have attended multiple skills workshops over several years time. These people have solid technical and facilitation skills and are very current with trends in the field. While being an adventure practitioner is not, as they say...brain surgery, it does require one to have a solid set of skills to assure safe and competent programming. We highly recommend that you view the training of good staff to be as important as the building of a beautiful challenge course. Training information

Where can I go for training?

2009-07-09T15:04:33Z

The quick answer is High 5 Adventure Learning Center. We have highly skilled staff with years of experience and we conduct great training workshops.

The longer answer:  There are many places you can go for training that offer quality workshops. The key here is to be particular. As with anything, make sure the vendor you choose is knowledgeable, up to date with current trends in the field and provides the kind of training that you need. We also recommend that you choose a vendor member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). Ask around for recommendations from others. There's no better source of information than someone who has had experience with the organization that you're considering. Good quality, professional training is available; make an effort to find the best match for the skills you need. Give us a call, we'll tell you what we have to offer and if it isn't what you need, we'll help you find someone else. Training page

Can I get Graduate Credit for training?

2009-07-09T15:05:00Z

Yes, High 5 has a graduate credit program through Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH. PSU is part of the University of New Hampshire system. Credit options vary from 2-4 credits for most of our workshops, although some one-credit opportunities exist with our shorter programs. Plymouth State also offers a masters degree program through a special arrangement with the graduate studies division. This arrangement allows an individual to complete many of the core requirements through the attendance of High 5 training workshops.

See PSU Online Education and Partnership Courses for more information.

Staples as leading edge anchor points

2009-07-13T13:50:12Z

In November of 2003 ACCT published a position statement:

Tests conducted by the ACCT Installation Standards Committee indicate that the strength of staples used on challenge courses can vary widely. There are a number of factors, which can affect the strength including the type of wood supporting the staple, the length and size of the staple, the depth to which the staple has been driven, and whether or not holes were predrilled as part of the installation. Staples that have been properly installed by an experienced course builder generally are suitable and should not pose an immediate hazard when used as anchors in leading edge climbing. However, even when properly installed, it can be very difficult to verify that each staple placement is strong enough to meet the 2500 lb. (11.1 kN) ACCT standard. Changing conditions in trees or utility poles over time can also affect the strength of staples adding to the difficulty of verifying their strength and suitability.

For existing courses, the use of staples as anchors should be strictly limited to those situations where it can reasonably be verified that such anchors comply with Standard B7.2 Leading Edge Anchors (i.e. 2500 lbs or 11.1 kN). Where such verification cannot reasonably be accomplished, then approved alternative systems for fall protection must be employed. Ultimately, ACCT is recommending the adoption of alternative systems to replace the use of staples as anchors in leading edge climbing.

High 5 strongly suggest that everyone using staples as protection points carefully read the entire ACCT document. The ACCT memo is a well thought out and written document on the ten years of sporadic data gathering on the holding power of staples in a wide variety of mediums. These mediums include Utility Poles, Hardwood and Softwood Trees.

The test data has shown that the holding power of staples has a large range making it very difficult to evaluate and assure the required load for a leading edge anchor point as defined by ACCT standards under section B7.2 Leading Edge Anchors. There are many factors that play into the holding power of the staples including depth, density of the medium, environmental impact and placement techniques.

ACCT has summarized their recommendations with the following,
"... leading edge climbing be limited to properly trained individuals on climbs where suitable anchors are available. The use of staples as anchors should be strictly limited to those situations where it can reasonably be verified that such anchors comply with Standard B7.2 Leading Edge Anchors (i.e. 2500 lbs or 11.1 kN). Where such verification cannot reasonably be accomplished, then approved alternative systems for fall protection must be employed."

High 5 will continue to use staples as part of the element access system, and will design, install and train staff, on the proper use of climbing protection systems suitable for the medium on which their course is built.

StrandVices

2009-07-13T13:50:57Z

StrandVices ™ are no longer recommended for use on challenge courses. Go to the ACCT website for more information:

http://www.acctinfo.org/associations/5266/files/SVUpdate8-07.pdf

Cable Grabs

2009-07-13T13:51:20Z

ACCT has published a technical bulletin alerting to potential risks associated with the use of cable grabs. For more information go to:

http://www.acctinfo.org/associations/5266/files/CableGrabs.pdf

Pole Steps

2009-07-13T13:51:49Z

There have been incidents related to the use of pole steps on challenge courses. For more information go to:

http://www.acctinfo.org/associations/5266/files/PoleSteps.pdf