Show ‘em the ropes
The newest section of Trinity Western University’s challenge course opened this past fortnight. The TWU Challenge Course is an eight-element course strung up anywhere from five to 30 feet amongst some of the largest trees on campus.
Photo credit: Tim Andries
The course is a “tool for building teamwork, trust in others, and gives individuals a chance to push their own limits,” said Ellie Beaton, a prominent member of the ropes course team. The newest section, located on the northwestern side of RNT, contains three elements of the ropes course that were previously torn down over the summer.
Three douglas firs located on the southern side of RNT were deemed unsafe over the summer by an inspecting team from the Association of Challenge Course Technology. The trees were infected with Phaeolus Schweinitzii, a disease that attacks the roots and causes them to mould and consequently die. This was the first issue with any of the 12 trees on the course since 1997.
Omada Teambuilding, the organization behind the ropes course and other team building activities available on campus, was aware of the trees’ deteriorating health. According to the director of Omada, Jamie Barrow, they were working “to prolong the trees’ life span through various root aeration attempts and trimming efforts over the last six years.” Two of the deceased trees had actually been completely dead and toped back in 2008. “[Omada] had been using guy wires and other forms of support for years in those trees to maintain a safe program during the trees deterioration,” said Barrow. However, the ACCT’s team, unaware of the precautions taken by Omada, deemed the trees unsafe.
The felling of the trees caused three elements of the ropes course to be temporarily taken down: The Giant’s Ladder, The Multi-Vine, and the Wild Woozy. These elements, previously located behind RNT, are now located on healthy trees between RNT and the Music Building.
Barrow believes that the change of location will increase efficiency for the course. “On a through path, there is more attention to [the course] . . . which could be good or bad.” Barrow hopes to have the new visibility attract awareness and more participants to the course. Omada is dedicated to providing the students with team building opportunities, being an outside resource to the local community, and highlighting the university to other schools and corporate clientele.
The most enjoyable part of the course for the leaders, though, is giving participants a chance to experience the course themselves. Beaton recommends the vertical playpen the most because it requires “harder physicality. It’s more of a challenge, and therefore more fun.”
Clayton Andres
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