Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Preparing for a visit to Four Arrows or just want as much information as possible?
Click on any of the questions below for the information you seek.
How do I schedule a visit?
We will need you to fill out a request form where we will collect your contact information, details about your group, and ask you what your expectations are for the experience. You can click the green button “Request an Experience” to the right of this website or follow this specific link – http://fourarrows.uconn.edu/request-an-experience/.
How long is a normal program?
Our outdoor courses are scheduled for a full 4 hours. This does not include time for registration and checking forms or how long it will take to travel to our location. If you have a morning course, expect to be finished with the course by 1pm and if you have an afternoon course, expect to be finished with the course by 5pm. If it is an indoor course or team building experience, it is typically 2-3 hours long, depending on the group's needs and expectations.
What about food and beverages?
Four Arrows does not provide any food or beverages to any group. If a group is interested in eating before or after the course, they are welcome to do so and can order directly from University Catering. We do have assorted tables that can be utilized by groups. Four Arrows must be informed about any food that is planned to be at the course location for logistical purposes. We ask that you refrain from creating a meal in the middle of a challenge course experience, because we will ask you to wait till after we are finished
Who will work with our group?
Our Four Arrows facilitators go through an annual training, an annual refresher training, must be certified in First Aid/CPR/AED, and are undergraduate or graduate students. There are a handful of UConn staff who are trained and volunteer their time in conjunction with the student staff. Some of our returning staff members have 100+ hours of training and up to 200 hours of facilitation.
What else should we bring?
You should bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, pen/pencil and notepad, and a bag to hold your items.
How safe is the course?
All challenge course elements are inspected each calendar year and meet the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards. Our facilitators go through vigorous training and are required to be First Aid/CPR/AED certified. We maintain a minimum participant to facilitator ratio of 15:1 so that our staff can focus more closely on the group. The course is maintained on a regular basis, and any dangerous objects are either removed or marked with bright colors. Facilitators check the environment, elements, and equipment before and after each course to make everything as safe as possible.
Where can I stay on my visit?
No more than a few miles down the road from the course, you can find The Nathan Hale Inn – http://www.nathanhaleinn.com. In the heart of the UConn main campus you will find this contemporary full service hotel.
Who can participate?
Our participant list ranges from middle school students to corporate adults, and our biggest population is University students. One of our main goals is accessibility to our course to as many people as possible, and you may be surprised what can be accomplished without a great deal of upper body strength or tremendous balance. Our program curriculum is designed to work on group dynamics, promoting teamwork and shared leadership. Due to the nature of that focus, we do not normally work with individuals who are below the age of 12 or offer options to groups who do not have a transferable team purpose, such as birthday parties. In most instances, groups must have at least twelve members to participate. Our low elements challenge course can have 12-120 participants at one time.
What about bad weather?
We maintain a weather policy at Four Arrows, in which we will attempt to hold a course in all reasonable weather conditions. If there is an impending storm, we will begin the conversation much earlier about options available to reschedule/cancel. We do not hold courses in down pouring rain, through thunder and lightning, or heavy snowfall. If there is a drizzle or light flurry, we will still run a course.
Getting to the Challenge Course?
Our challenge course is located at the Depot Campus of the University of Connecticut behind Ellington Cottage. The address for this location is 14 Sherman Place, Storrs, CT 06269. For a more detailed version of “directions and parking”.
How should we dress?
Please come prepared with clothing and footwear that you can be active in and fits with the season and current weather. Since we live in the Northeast, the weather is not always clear and sunny, and understanding that we will be outdoors, rain or shine, it is important to dress appropriately. Absolutely no flip flops or open toed shoes for any of our programs.