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Challenge Course
Team building programs for campus and community groups
The RecWell Challenge Course specializes in workshops that provide opportunities for individual growth and group development. Participation in this education-focused program aims to cultivate leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, team effectiveness, and individual self-confidence.
Challenge Course programs can be designed for various types of groups, including student clubs and organizations, academic courses, workplaces, and more. Our highly trained student facilitators custom design each program based on the group’s unique dynamics and goals.
Group Development Programming
Your tailored program can focus on intentional group development. Through a combination of team challenges, initiatives, low ropes activities, and climbing options, our trained facilitators will lead the group in activities and discussions designed around exploring group dynamics and examining the characteristics of your team.
Recreational Programming
If you’re looking for social, high energy activities, we can tailor your program around those activities as well. Recreational programming could include “get to know you” activities, group games, and various climbing options to help your team have fun and engage in an active environment.
There is a 10-person minimum charge for all programs.
| UMD Student or Staff Group | Community Group or Non-UMD Participants | |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2 hours | $14/person | $20/person |
| Up to 4 hours | $20/person | $28/person |
| Up to 8 hours | $32/person | $44/person |
A program can consist of the following types of activities and are chosen based on the goals of your group.
All activities are facilitated using the concept of “challenge by choice.” Our staff stress the importance of an individual’s choice when determining how they can best contribute to the group, push themselves and set goals, and choose their personal level of participation. As such, we actively discourage competition or forcing people beyond what they wish to do themselves.
- Ice breakers. An ice breaker is an activity, game, or event that is used to welcome the group, warm up the conversation among participants and get people moving. If participants already know each other, ice breakers can serve to set the tone by generating laughter and conversation..
- Team initiatives. Initiatives are best described as team building challenges that focus on planning, problem solving, and creative thinking, rather than physical ability. Initiatives are a great way to challenge groups, begin or enhance the team-building process, or simply have fun.
- Low Ropes Course. The low ropes courses consist of a series of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge groups and individuals to work together to accomplish a task. Low ropes elements often consist of a series of cables, ropes, and obstacles strung between trees or poles, 12 to 18 inches above the ground. Low rope elements present tests of physical strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility, and invite participants to confront fears of potential failure or losing control. Risk is managed by group members who assume critical spotting roles.
- Climbing. Climbing can be done on our Alpine Tower or high ropes course, depending on your program goals, group size, and interest. The climbing wall has its own separate operating hours and is not typically included as part of a challenge course workshop.
To reserve a Challenge Course program, complete the Program Request Form. The Assistant Director for Challenge Course Programs will reply to confirm a program, ask any follow-up questions, or suggest alternate dates. This form allows us to design your program with your goals in mind.
Once a program is confirmed, you will be emailed the Program Agreement and Group Leader Packet. The Agreement must be signed and returned (along with a deposit of 50% if a non-UMD group) by the dates indicated on the program agreement.
The Group Leader Packet outlines the next steps, what to bring, parking information, release forms, insurance requirements, and a link to the program goal sheet.
Location
The Challenge course is located behind the ERC and next to the climbing wall. Get to us by using the steps outside the west end of the ERC near the Outdoor Aquatic Center. Groups meet our staff and begin at the pavilion on the course.
Hours
The RecWell Challenge Course operates year round when the University is open. Specific hours of operation are based on scheduled group programming. There are no drop-in hours at the Challenge Course.
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Preperato Assistant Director, Adventure Program |
aprep@umd.edu | 301-226-3078 |