About the Ropes Course
Challenge Course
When a ropes course or a challenge course is mentioned it may invoke memories of times at camp, make you think of aerial adventure parks, or even an obstacle course. There are many similarities in those experiences whether 40 feet up in the air or on the ground.
Our perspective of a Challenge Course is providing groups an experience requiring the efforts of everybody, that engages hands-on problem solving, and is deeply rooted into the process of learning.
Learning about yourself, learning about others, and learning that transfers into other areas of life after the program. Our experiences are innately FUN but that is just an additional benefit to the adventure based style of programming. Our program utilizes the available high and low elements to intentionally increase engagement that is intrinsically unique.
Four Arrows Course
- Established in 2010
- Around 3 miles from the center of UConn Storrs Campus at Depot
- 9 High Elements
- 25 Low Elements (multiple of some to serve larger groups)
- Free for UConn Students
- Most Programs are Facilitated by UConn Student Staff
Some Terminology:
ACCT: Association for Challenge Course Technology – an international trade association dedicated to standards, government relations, credentialing, professional development, and advancement of challenge courses.
Challenge Course/Ropes Program: A facility or facilities consisting of one or more elements designed to challenge participants. The programs are facilitated to provide participants with an adventure based learning experience that will lead to a designed outcome. The program may include high and low elements along with non-spotted activities.
Element: An apparatus that may include, but not be limited to, items designed to simulate rock climbing, beams, bridges, cable traverses, climbing walls, nets, platforms, ropes, swings, towers, or zip lines. Elements may be installed on or in trees, poles, portable structures, buildings, or be a part of a self-supported structure.
Low Ropes: Elements designed to be operated without the use of a life safety system
High Ropes: Elements installed at a height that requires a participant to be connected to a life safety system.
Life Safety System: A configuration of components including lifelines, belay beams, and anchorages that support fall restraint and arrest systems, personal safety systems, belay systems, and/or rope rigging systms.
Dynamic Belay: A means of protecting a climber with rope, where the rope is controlled by another person.
Spotting: A technique used to physically protect the upper part of a participant's body in the event of a low/slow fall. Spotting is primarily used on low challenge course elements
Equipment: Specialized non-consumable products intended to minimize risk of injury associated with falling from an Element. Includes both metallic items and synthetic items. May include, but not be limited to, helmets, harnesses, rope, accessory cords, belay devices, carabiners, rapid links, shear reduction devices, pulleys, anchors, or cables.