Low Ropes Group Initiatives

I was very pleased at the level of interest in our program’s specific purposes and the ways that our goals were incorporated into the challenge course.
– Lisa, Leadershape

The Eagle Crest Adventures group initiatives course is a series of low-to-the-ground challenges that focus specifically on team development through planning and problem-solving. The attempts and results in each group are creative, fun, and helpful in building group cohesiveness. Challenges are physical, but not athletic. Challenges are intellectual, but not rocket science. All challenges are team-oriented. Success or failure is not based on speed or skill, but on developing as a team.

The initiatives course naturally draws out leadership and problem-solving skills in individuals. Often those skills are a surprise to both teachers and students.

Following each challenge, Eagle Crest staff facilitate group discussion on how the challenge relates to everyday life. The nature and focus of the group determines the direction of the discussion. Some groups benefit from direct questioning, while other groups may simply assign a letter grade to their level of communication. Whatever the form of discussion, students leave the activity having reflected on their role in the experience.

The Low Ropes Group Initiatives Course supports many of the Illinois Learning Standard (ILS) Goals and Social Emotional Learning Standards (SELS) Goals.