Frequently Asked Questions
What is the challenge course?
How does a challenge course promote the things you mentioned?
Who can participate? Do you have to be physically fit?
What will our program be like?
What can you tell me about your staff?
What should we wear?
How do we get there?
What about safety?
What kind of groups book the Challenge Course?
What is the challenge course?
The course is a series of obstacles or challenge elements. We have both a 'low course' (usually no more than a few feet off the ground) and a 'high course' which ranges from 15-45 feet off the ground. These elements are used to promote teamwork, communication, trust, problem solving, and confidence building.
How does a challenge course promote the things you mentioned?
Your group will be led by a trained facilitator who will present a challenge to your team. You must overcome your fears to improve your confidence individually and collectively. Facilitators are trained to “process” or engage the group in discussion about the activity with the goal of discovering how complex issues can be broken down and applied to your own life.
Who can participate? Do you have to be physically fit?
The challenge course can be used by anyone from age 6 and up in all levels of physical fitness. Course elements more often require problem solving skills over physical tasks. The coordinator will work with your group to provide a program that is safe, fun, and educational for all.
What will our program be like?
Your day will start with introductions to the course and filling out paperwork. A participation agreement and short, not intrusive medical form must be read and filled out by all participants. Those under the age of 18 must have the form signed by a parent or guardian. These forms help us provide a safe, fun, and challenging experience for the entire group. We will then move on to the course. A typical half-day session is 4 hours and a full day is usually a full 8 hours.
What can you tell me about your staff?
Our facilitators take a rigorous training program. They are trained to put safety first, understand and limit risk, and provide for the physical and emotional well-being of the group. Additional sustainment trainings are required to continue to work at the Challenge Course.
What should we wear?
You should wear loose comfortable clothing that is suited to the season. Weather conditions may call for rain gear.
- Footwear: Sturdy, athletic style shoes are the best. No sandals, other open toed shoes or smooth soled footwear please.
- Pants/Shorts: Pants should be loose enough to allow for comfortable activity. Shorts of a modest length are fine in warm weather.
- Shirts/Jackets: Wear whatever is comfortable. Several layers are the best bet in colder weather.
- Jewelry: No dangling earrings or hoops. Remove watches, necklaces, and large rings as well. It is best to leave these accessories at home.
How do we get there?
EKU is in central Kentucky, about 30 minutes south of Lexington, and just off Interstate 75, Exit 87.
Directions: From I-75, take exit 87 and head East on KY 876. Follow this road for approximately 1 mile and turn right onto KY 52, Lancaster Road. Follow Lancaster Road, pass the University Book and Supply store and go through the stoplight (when it is green) at the bottom of the hill and then take the next possible left turn as you come up the hill. The course entrance passes a residence and continues down a gravel road to the course parking area adjacent to our picnic pavilion.
What about safety?
Safety is our number one priority. Our course is inspected monthly (in season) by our trained staff which includes former challenge course builders. An annual inspection by a qualified outside agency ensures that our course is in good working order.
What kind of groups book the Challenge Course?
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS - Greek organizations, professional cabinets and committees, new student groups and sports teams are some groups that use the challenge course as a recruitment tool and for team building activities.
SPORTS TEAMS - Our approach to teambuilding will build strong relationships among new and returning players. In a single day session, we can turn strangers into best friends, and turn adversarial relationships into strong partnerships.
CHURCH and FAITH-BASED GROUPS - We guide participants to work on concepts such as grace, following, servant leadership, relationships, trust, faith, and confidence. A simple game of passing a ball around in a circle becomes a metaphor for sharing ideas, and working toward a common goal.
CORPORATE and BUSINESS CLIENTS - Our Team Innovations Program addresses the specific issues of team building in the business environment. We work with you to uncover and enhance the many capabilities of your staff members. More details about this program can be found on the Team Innovations tab from our main page.
COMMUNITY, SERVICE AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
For example:
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- YMCA
- Rotary Club
- Kiwanis Club
- Counseling Organizations
- Leadership Development
- City Parks and Recreation Departments
- Day Camps
- Youth at Risk
For more information or to book your group, please call 859.622.1217 or email shari.vanhoose@eku.eku.edu
