Adventure Ropes

Class Description:

Each of the two Wolf Ridge adventure ropes courses (Skyview and Ridgetop) consists of six events separated by towers roughly 25ft. off the ground. Students will traverse the course while attached to safety lines. Students can use their ropes course experiences as metaphors for their lives. Hopefully, students will become aware of new skills and strengths, that they may then apply to their everyday lives.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To conduct the ropes course, Wolf Ridge requires one trained instructor and three additional adult monitors.( 18 years or older ) For classes of ten students or fewer, Wolf Ridge requires only two additional adult monitors.

Total time: 3 hours (outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: easy
Travel: 1/2 mile
Total uphill travel: 40 feet.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Adventure Ropes class students will be able to:

Recognize and accept some of their personal strengths and abilities.

Encourage and help others.

Accept and challenge some of their fears.

List personal qualities which contributed to their successes, as well as the successes of others.

Experience individual and group trust.

Discuss their emotions.

Apply their ropes course experiences to their everyday lives.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The Adventure Ropes class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

Task Management Skills addressed:
• Keeps trying
• Generates goals and plans for achieving
• Follows class rules
• Follows safety rules
• Uses equipment responsibly
• Demonstrates respect for others

Profile of Learning Element 8: Applying informed decision-making process to promote personal growth and the well-being of society.

Physical Education Standard 8.11.1. Applies informed decision-making process to select appropriate physical activities to achieve personal fitness. (Procedural:) Applies the following cooperative and competitive behaviors in physical activities: demonstrates safety for self and others, encourages best effort in self and others, follows rules, shows respect for self and others, handles success and disappointment appropriately.

Physical Education Standard 8.G8.3 & 8.G5.2. Understands and partcipates in physical activities that develop motor skills and physical fitness. (Procedural): Displays proper etiquette and team building skills in dual and group activities.

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• Learning to deal with the positive and negative aspects of emotions builds self esteem and confidence.
• Courage, trustworthiness and initiative are desirable personal qualities.
• Problem solving, decision making and risk assessment are skills which empower us to reach our goals.
• A positive attitude improves the chances for success.
• Challenges provide opportunities for learning and growth.
• Challenging perceived limits and reviewing goals improves our responses to future life situations.
• Understanding and respecting others enables us to work together effectively as a community.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page (pdf)
• Adventure Ropes lesson plan (pdf)
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to Adventure Ropes information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password