Index to Group Games & Activities

Ropes Courses
(Rope Challenge Courses)

Main Links

• What is a ropes course?
• Low ropes
• High ropes
• Brief history
• Theory & research
• Associations & standards
• Discussion list
• Links
• Bibliography
• References

Teeter Totter:
A "Low" challenge
 ropes course activity

Paired Postman's Walk:
"High" challenge
 ropes course activity

What's New?

• Ropes challenge courses
  (Wikipedia)

  Describes the history, purpose and main elements of ropes challenge courses.

• Reviewing & re-enacting ropes course experiences
  (Roger Greenaway, 2004, Outdoored.com)

  Presents group processing principles which apply to most physical activities. The processing techniques are discussed in relation to ropes courses - artificial outdoor challenges where people climb, balance, swing and support one other.

• New professional ropes course association launched in USA
  (The Outdoor Network, 16 March 16, 2004)
• Challenge courses help people rise above fear
  (Seattle Post Intelligencer, 31 July, 2003)

Ropes Discussion List

• ROPES ONLINE is an informative discussion list for ropes challenge course professionals and anyone interested.  Anyone can join; no archives.
• People discuss experiential games and activities and low and high ropes facilitation and construction.
• There are about 400 members, and the list averages about 2-4 postings a day.
• Search the discussion list archive.

Recommended links

• Ropes challenge courses
  (Wikipedia)

  Describes the history, purpose and main elements of ropes challenge courses.

• ROPES Online
  Information for ropes/challenge course owners, facilitators, users, and students
• List of Ropes Challenge Course Providers
  Editable wiki content, with sections for ropes course associations, centers, universities, corporate, and builders.
• Challenge Courses Worldwide
  A Frappr Map which uses Google Maps to show pictures and locations of different ropes challenge courses around the world.  Add your course to the map.

Resources

• ACCT Resources
  Including Parallel Lines, Newsletter of the Association for Challenge Course Technology
• Sample Assumption of Risk form for Ropes Courses [.pdf]
  Dry Creek Baptist Camp Challenge Course