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challenge course

Challenge Course

The RecWell Challenge Course provides programs that create space and opportunities for both personal growth and group development. Challenge Course programs are designed to meet your group’s needs, whether you’re a student club or a corporate group going on a workplace retreat. Our highly trained student facilitators custom design each program based on the group’s unique dynamics and goals which can include anything from leadership skills and problem-solving abilities to team effectiveness and individual self-confidence.

A program can consist of the following types of activities and are chosen based on the goals of your group. In your program request form, you can indicate how much of your program you’d like to dedicate to each activity type.  Note: all programs will consist of some community building activities so that our facilitators can get familiar with the group members. 

  • Community Building Activities: Community building activities are activities or games used to welcome the group, warm up the conversation, help everyone get familiar with one another, and get folks moving. If participants already know each other, community building activities can serve to set the tone by generating laughter and conversation.  
  • Team initiatives: Initiatives are 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 ability, 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. Note: our facilitators can make accommodations to ensure all group members can participate in some way, regardless of their ability level.
  • Climbing and High Course: Climbing can be done on our Alpine Tower or Climbing Wall. We also have the High Course, Leap of Faith, and Giant Swing. At least an hour will be dedicated to climbing if you’d like this activity included in your program. The High Course, Leap of Faith, and Giant Swing have group size and time constraints that the Coordinator for Challenge Course & Climbing Wall will discuss with you should you express interest in these activities on your program request form.

There is a 10-person minimum charge for all programs. Typically for in-person team building, our minimum participant count is 6 and our maximum participant count is 100. Feel free to contact Corrie Fenn, Coordinator of Challenge Course and Climbing Wall, at cfenn@umd.edu if you have a unique request.

UMD (College Park Campus) 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

To reserve a Challenge Course program, complete the online program request form. The Coordinator for Challenge Course and Climbing Wall 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.  

Program request forms should be completed at least three weeks prior to the desired program date. 

Once a program is confirmed, you will be emailed the program agreement. 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.

Cancellation Policy: Programs must be cancelled no less than 7 business days prior to the event date. A service charge of $50 will be assessed for such cancellations.

Program Request Form

 

Each semester we offer programs that are free to students. These programs will allow you to experience some of the high course elements the Challenge Course has to offer. 

Fall 2024 Open Enrollment Schedule

  • Alpine Tower: Thursday, September 12 from 2 PM - 4 PM
  • High Course: Thursday, October 3 from 6 PM - 8 PM
  • Giant Swing: Wednesday, October 9 from 6 PM - 8 PM
  • Leap of Faith: Wednesday, October 23 from 6 PM - 8 PM

Registration is required through activeterp.umd.edu. No prior experience is necessary and all you need to participate is comfortable, athletic clothing and close-toed shoes! 


Location

The Challenge Course is located behind the Eppley Recreation Center (ERC) next to the climbing wall. If you are facing the front of the ERC, use the steps on the west end of the ERC near the Outdoor Aquatic Center to go down a level. 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. 

The last day for outdoor Fall Semester programs is November 15th.

The last day for Spring Semester programs is May 9th. 

Contact Us

Portrait of Corrie Fenn

Corrie Fenn

Coordinator, Challenge Course & Climbing Wall
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