Camp Long Challeng Course-- Day 1

 

After weeks of doing everything in our power to convince the middle school group that spending a few hours outside each week “team-building” was going to be great fun, our first trip out to Camp Long was upon us.

As 3:30 approached, the tension in the office thickened as the minutes ticked by. We had given out at least 30 field trip permission forms, a 3 page document explaining the risks of a Challenge Course and asking for detailed medical history. Our usual permission slips are a one-page deal with necessary logistics and a place for a parental signature.

At 3:20, our first two youth walk in. “Do you have your permission slips?” is the first question out of our mouths. “No,” came the reply. “Well, you need to run h…” Our panicked response was interrupted by laughter “You guys are so easy. Yea, we have them right here.”

Touché, ladies. Touché.

More and more youth trickled in, and suddenly we had two vans full and we were on our way.

We would like to take a moment to thank whoever was responsible for guaranteeing our first day out on the course was sunny, dry and in the 60’s.

Once out on the course, we began with some quick games and a snack while Clarke and I gathered the materials necessary and prepped the first challenge: Orca Breech.

A giant seesaw contraption, Orca Breech is all about how the challenge is presented and the consequences for letting the sides touch the ground. The amount of communication necessary in this challenge makes it a fantastic first element of the day, requiring groups to be directive, responsive and really listen to each other. It can be completed in a matter of minutes or has the potential to frustrate groups. And you never know until you get them up on it.

            The middle schoolers completed this challenge within about 30 minutes, after letting the element edges touch the ground quite a few times (their consequence being everyone then needed to get off the platform and start again). Their level of frustration grew while their focus diminished, but with a little redirection and help from a youth intern, when they did complete the challenge they felt proud and ready to try another team challenge.

            Because the Challenge Course is often called a Low-Ropes Course, a misnomer because only one challenge actually has a rope, we decided the next challenge would be Nitro Crossing. The youth are asked to retrieve a rope and swing from one platform to another, Indiana Jones style. There are consequences for touching the ground and ultimately everyone needs to cross, and then cross back. The youth were thrilled with the idea of crossing the “Columbia Gorge” while hanging from a rope, and took to heart our suggestions of collaboration and discussion before beginning the challenge. We were so impressed with how fast they solved the problem of retrieving the rope and they were successful in getting everyone across and back in a relatively short time.

            After debriefing our two elements on the day, we took them on a quick walk over to the high ropes course. The reactions of the youth were completely different across the board. Some were really excited, some said absolutely not, and some seemed intrigued but when asked said “I don’t think I can.” Every youth in the program will have the chance to go up on the high ropes course if they choose to do so. In a world in which youth are constantly told what they must do, need to do, have to do, we are encouraging the youth in our program to choose their challenge and fulfill it to the best of their ability. But in terms of the challenge course, our first day was a HUGE success and we are all looking forward to getting out there again!