Challenge Course Syllabi

 

ECG 663:  Challenge Course Fundamentals I  

The purpose of this course is to present a history of adventure-based counseling, specifically utilizing challenge courses.  Students will learn how to lead individuals and groups through “low ropes challenge course elements.”  Additionally, students will learn appropriate sequencing of activities, be introduced to appropriate debriefing and processing skills, and learn how to introduce and lead participants through ABC games/initiatives.  Specific attention will be given to addressing learners of different ages as well as participants of differing abilities (i.e., children, adolescents, and adults).  Additionally, an overview of how counseling and ropes courses experiences can be integrated.

 

ECG 664:   Challenge Course Fundamentals II

This course continues introducing students to the background, philosophy, ethical issues, and risk management required of high ropes facilitation. Introduces students a variety of high challenge course initiatives used for learning and problem solving, trust, team building, and self-confidence and communication skills. How to present high challenge course initiatives to diverse groups will be emphasized. Specific attention will be given to addressing learners of different ages and varying abilities. Additionally, an overview will be given of how counseling and ropes courses experiences can be integrated.  Classes will be held on the challenge course.

 

ECG 665: Adventure Processing and Facilitation Course

This course provides the skills necessary for facilitating a variety of client groups – educational, recreational, corporate, and therapeutic – in indoor and outdoor experiential programs.  The curriculum includes The Experiential Learning Cycle, stages of group development, leading group discussion, active listening, frontloading, de-briefing, use of metaphors and transfer of learning. Activities are used to facilitate leadership, teamwork, problem solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution.  This knowledge will enhance students’ ability to adapt their program to various groups. How to facilitate and lead group discussions with diverse groups will be emphasized. Specific attention will be given to addressing learners of different ages as well as participants of differing abilities.

 

ECG 666:  Organization and Administration of Adventure Education

Students will synthesis their experience in adventure leadership, instruction and programming to explore the details of managing an adventure program.  Topics include risk management for the administrator, operations and file management, legal issues, accreditation standards, staff recruitment, hiring and training, marketing, and fiscal management.  Special attention will be given to managing an universally designed challenge course.