OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Get Started: Build a Challenge Course and a Successful Adventure Program

I’d like to build a Challenge Course, where do I begin?

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, and/or participants?

Spending some time pondering these questions will ultimately save you time and money. We can help you answer these questions and guide you 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. Demystify the process and look at our Program Development Questionnaire to get started.

How much does a Challenge Course cost?

The cost of building a Challenge Course depends on a variety of factors including the size of the project, whether it’s a tree or pole course, the landscape, and fluctuation in the cost of materials. To give a ballpark figure, many of the courses we build range in price from $15k to $150k. Customers who want a medium to large-scale challenge course occasionally opt to build in stages over a 2 – 3-year period. This helps with the budget and can even support a progression and sequencing of activities consistent with curriculum goals and objectives. But, go on to the next question – you may choose another route to achieve your goals. To help make the process more concrete, we asked our Challenge Course Services team to explain the Challenge Course installation process in a Vertical Playpen podcast (Episode #73).

Do I need a Challenge Course to run a successful Adventure Program?

No! For the past forty years, many successful, impactful programs have thrived without a Challenge Course or with only a few elements. While it’s true that a high-profile challenge course can excite participants about adventure-based learning, it’s not a prerequisite for a quality Adventure Program. Most effective programs spend significant time on the ground, maximizing the games and initiatives that are integral to the success of an Adventure Program.

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

The simple answer is: not usually. 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. Reach out to your existing insurance company and/or agent to ensure you are adequately covered.

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

An annual inspection is required by High 5 and by guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). Costs vary greatly depending on the size of the course. The cost for an annual inspection can range from $500 To $2500, depending on the size of the course. Also, you can expect to need repairs over time, depending on the course’s age and exposure to elements. And just like a car, Challenge Courses kept in good repair regularly tend to have lower annual costs because repairs are not allowed to accumulate over the years resulting in a major one-time expense. We’ve curated a Vertical Playpen podcast explaining the inspection process (Episode #74).

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

Training is the key component of 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. We strongly recommend that your staff have a minimum of a 5-day (40 hours) Level 1 skills-based training workshop before taking on the demands of running a program, depending on the size of your course and the scope of your program. And, 5 days is minimal. If your course includes high elements, make sure you also have a Level 2 trained staff person to:

Supervise, mentor, and coach Level 1 trained staff
Handle situations such as rescues, gear retrieval, and work at height.

Often, challenge course staff attend multiple skills-based workshops at our campus over the course of several years and take Certification Exams regularly. These people have solid technical and facilitation skills and are very current with trends in the field. Adventure practitioners need professional development opportunities to perform their jobs well and to ensure safe and competent programming. We highly recommend viewing staff training as equally important as building a beautiful Challenge Course.

Where can I go for training?

The short answer: High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, VT. We have highly skilled staff with years of training and facilitation experience and we offer over 25 training workshops on our hilltop Challenge Course. Each year, between March and November, you can register for a variety of multi-day trainings with our welcoming and highly skilled team. Give us a call at (802) 254-8718, and we’ll tell you what we have to offer and if it isn’t what you need, we’ll help you find someone else.

The longer answer: There are numerous places offering quality workshops for training. The key is to be selective. Ensure the vendor you choose is knowledgeable, current with industry trends, and provides the specific training you need. We recommend choosing a vendor who is a member of the ACCT. Seek recommendations from others; firsthand experiences can provide invaluable insights. High-quality, professional training is available, so take the time to find the best match for the skills you need.