Challenge Courses
Challenge Courses & Initiatives
The Boojum Institute Challenge Course Program uses activities, games, puzzles and creative problem solving tasks to provide development in leadership skills, teamwork skills and personal growth for participants. This program assists in the development of individual and group skills in the areas of commitment, involvement, leadership, self confidence, support and ownership of actions, all of which are important elements of an effective team. The Challenge Course Program facilitates discovery and exploration in a supportive and open environment while teams experiment with problem solving strategies and learn from both success and failure. Each activity is followed by a discussion or "debrief" session in order to examine the group's progress and extract learning from the participant's experience.
The course consists of several low and high "elements". These elements are physical props or obstacles that challenge groups both physically and mentally and are designed to progress in difficulty as the group's skills in teamwork increase. The low elements provide a level of challenge that is close to the ground and are generally protected by spotting provided by the group. High elements involve activity that is 30-45 feet off the ground on wire and ropes. Belaying systems that include the use of ropes, body harnesses and friction devices are used to control movement and protect participants during these activities.
Challenge Courses are offered as one and two-day programs and may be integrated into many other courses. Boojum maintains its own year-round course in Idyllwild and uses other courses at or near a number of its other course sites. Challenge and Initiative Courses may also take place on-site at the school, office or other client location, or in a local park or open space. Challenge Courses can be the perfect catalyst for groups wishing to focus on team-building, communication skills, problem-solving, trust and leadership
Boojum provides challenge courses not only for youth but also for adult groups, including church groups, college groups, teachers, administrators, staff, boards of trustees and educational professional associations. Boojum can make all of the necessary arrangements for retreats, conferences or workshops that may include a challenge course in Idyllwild or at other locations.
David Fitzgerald
President, Pi Kappa Alpha, University of California, San Diego
Sample Challenge Course elements available:
Low Elements
Team Wall, Low V crossing, Mohawk Walk, Nitro Crossing, Trust Fall, Trolleys, The Maze, Spider's Web, Acid River, and others
High Elements
Giant Swing, Incomplete Bridge, Pirates Crossing, Vine Walk, Pipe Dreams, The Leap of Faith, The Giant's Ladder, Postman's Walk, Zip Line