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USU's ropes course a good way to build group unity and
leadership
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By Chelsea Nelson
December 21, 2005 | A ropes course is an essential
component in creating a top of the line outdoor
leadership program at a university. According
to John Louviere, director of the Outdoor
Recreation Center (ORC) at Utah State University,
there are high hopes that USU will achieve that
kind of status in the next decade. Good thing
its Ropes program is becoming more popular and
will soon, according to Louviere, be a "one stop
shop" for ropes courses in the western United
States.
The
ropes course industry is growing like wildfire
throughout North America and parts of Europe.
All kinds of organizations from juvenile delinquent
groups to top executives from successful businesses
are attending ropes courses hoping to learn the
lessons that are only available at a ropes course.
Ropes courses promote leadership, teamwork and
self-confidence using unique hands-on tactics.
Participants scurry across ladders, ropes, cables
and nets as they try and accomplish varying tasks.
They do all of this while they are suspended 12-50
feet in the air only being supported by a rope
and harness.
At times participants are connected to a partner
and together they work to accomplish tasks. Other
times they are on their own.
Corporations, university organizations and youth
groups are among the groups that most frequently
use the USU Ropes Course.
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Corporations are utilizing the USU ropes course to
help unify the individuals in their business and to
help them learn ways to reach their potential. Part
of reaching their potential is realizing how to properly
set and accomplish goals. A lot of time is spent at
the Ropes Course learning ways to do that. ChemDry,
a world-renowned company that is based out of Logan,
is one of the corporations that have used the USU ropes
course.
One of the university groups that has utilized the
ropes course is the Instructional Technology department
(ITE).
The ITE event coordinator, Sandie Waters, said, "We
have attempted to facilitate our own 'team building'
activities for the last few years. This year I decided
to take two student cohorts through the USU Ropes Course.
I was not only pleased but the facilities, facilitation,
activities, and debriefing far exceeded my expectations.
We will continue to use their services as the results
were phenomenal. Our student groups are working extremely
well together now that they are back in the classroom,
and I attribute a large part of that to the USU Ropes
Course. If you are thinking about these services, do
yourself a favor and just commit to a better team building
experience for you and your team."
Mulitple youth groups have utilized the ropes course.
Some of those are, but are not limited to: school organizations,
leadership clubs and religious groups.
Religious youth group leader, Doug Todd, from Lehi,
said, "The USU Ropes Course is extraordinary. I work
with a youth group, and was simply amazed at those in
our group who were timid and shy because they were able
to open up and share their abilities with the group.
We all had a great time. The course staff was wonderful
in helping us not only have a good time, but they helped
us come closer together as a group because of the experience."
Youth groups primarily come to the course to learn
the importance of teamwork and trust. They also come
to learn about self-confidence and ways to improve their
self-esteem.
No matter the age of group or type of group, all participants
learn the importance of working together and the skills
to perform good communication within their organization.
Essentially, the USU Ropes Course staff is able to alter
each individual program to fit the needs of each individual
group.
"It is amazing to see how different each group is
that comes to the our (USU) ropes course," said Jamie
Justice, ropes course facilitator. "It doesn't matter
though. Kids or adults; school groups or businesses.
They all seem to learn a lot about themselves and other
people and it sure is a lot of fun."
Justice said, "We ask for feedback from every participant
that comes to the course. 100 percent of all the feedback
has been extremely positive."
The USU Ropes Course currently has 15 high elements
and is in the process of building a full low course
with the help of Starlight.
Once the construction is completed, Louviere is hoping
to have a high percentage of all ropes course elements
at USU. Starlight is a company based out of Pennsylvania
and is a major hub for ropes courses in the Eastern
United States. Starlight and the ORC are in the process
of discussing the possibility of a partnership. Part
of that partnership could include the assistance in
building more high and low elements.
High elements primarily help participants learn to
trust themselves and experience the benefit of being
positive. The low elements are designed to help individuals
work together; although both high and low elements can
definitely accomplish both. All the elements help participants
learn the difference of being a leader and a follower
and why both are important. They also show participants
how communication is used to solve problems.
Ropes Courses are a great way for people to become
better acquainted. They help build relationships by
strengthening trust and communication skills.
For more information about the ropes course check
out the website or call 801-755-6860.
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