The Challenge Course was offered on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at Spring Valley
Length: 2 hours
Maximum participants: 30, but this workshop is only offered to high school counselors — sorry, but no college admissions people.
Requirements: Participants should be in at least minimal good health. Those unable to walk, stand for extended periods, raise their arms above their head, or other similar basic activities should not register for this workshop unless they plan to simply observe the proceedings (which can also help observer understand what this is about—for advising purposes). Participants will be required to sign a release of liability waiver. Participants shall reveal all pertinent physical or mental conditions to trained facilitators before beginning program. Attendees' individual participation will be modified to accommodate those conditions at the facilitators' discretion, and the facilitators reserve the right to deny participation, for medical reasons, of any participant.
Dress: Attendees should wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes without "high" heels, comfortable, non-restrictive clothing that is ok to get dirty (participants can change prior to workshop), and bring sunscreen if desired.
Purpose: Many counselors do not have an accurate concept of what experiential education actually is. This workshop will demonstrate what experiential education is (ie. not just "fun"), how it relates to higher education, and the benefits of this type of experience for college students at CMC, by taking participants through a short Challenge Course experience. This can be a powerful transformative event for each individual—especially for those who’ve never experienced a challenge course before.
Description: Participants will rotate between the "low" and "high" elements of the program. Both lows and highs involve teams of participants helping each other to overcome various carefully controlled physical challenges (the "elements"), as well as discussing the emotions, group dynamics, and meaning of the experience and relating these to everyday life, and education in particular.
Safety: Safety is taken very seriously by our trained challenge course facilitators. Facilitators are certified in various first aid and/or more advanced medical training, are highly trained in safety on the course, and the course itself is carefully inspected prior to each event to insure it's integrity. Safety is our #1 goal at all times.
Challenge by Choice: No participant is ever required or pushed to participate in any portion of the program he or she does not wish to participate in. Attendees are encouraged to challenge themselves to do more than is "comfortable," but will never be forced, shamed, or goaded into doing more than they wish.
Pitch: While experiential education is not specifically about fun, often the experience is nonetheless very fun for participants. Counselors should expect to enjoy themselves at this workshop—and prepare accordingly!
