Ropes Course Team Building for Teenagers

Learning teamwork is helpful for outside the playing field.

Many aspects in life revolve around a team atmosphere. For instance, family structures and professional lives are both separate teams made up of individuals who must work together toward common goals. Therefore, preparing teenagers for a world of teamwork using ropes courses is helpful for their development from child to adult.

Preparation

Ropes courses require a large amount of physical exertion, so preparing teens for the challenge includes warming up and stretching. Warming up before stretching by jogging or walking briskly for approximately 10 minutes reduces the risk of stretching-related injuries because muscles stretch more easily when they are warm. If a teenager is troubled by joint issues or other problems that hinder him from running or walking, suggest cycling. Standing stretches are ideal immediately following the warm-up. Encourage floor stretches second, which begins the cool down period so bodies can recover before the ropes course exertion.

Types

Ropes courses have two variations: a high course and a low course. In both cases, teenagers traverse along one or a series of rope challenges from a starting point to the end. A low ropes course is prevalent for small teenage affairs because the setup is minimal and little to no pre-measures, such as harnesses and security wires, are required. A low ropes course may consist of a tight-rope walk for one or more teenagers.

High and sometimes large-scale ropes courses are nestled near treetops to increase the challenge and enhance the amount of teamwork required. In this scenario, teens are secured to safety lines and wear helmets. Some high ropes course activities include swinging steps and a rope net climb.

Purposes

The core purpose of ropes courses is to build teamwork. The first evidence of teamwork is through communication. Teenagers actively communicate together and strategize ways to get across the ropes course without falling. When one or more group members are using the course and the others are watching, the group watching provides words of encouragement for those completing the tasks. Some ropes courses have maze-like challenges, which require teens on the ground to help those completing the course solve the maze to get to the finish mark. In most team environments, a leader is helpful for pooling information from all the members to help make the best informed decision; thus, communication amongst the group to determine a leader and the teens’ abilities to work with the leader effectively establishes teamwork.

Considerations

Teenager ropes courses are suitable for retreats, school activities, sports team activities and summer camps. Low ropes courses can be set up soundly with the proper equipment and instructions. Another option for low ropes courses is to rent a portable course. Ropes courses high off the ground are often fixed challenges at specified locations. Completing a simple Internet search yields rope courses in your area. Contact the facility to discuss ropes course times based on the number of teens in your group. Ropes course facilities ask each participant or participant’s guardian to sign a waiver before beginning a ropes challenge.

References

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Warm Up, Cool Down and Be Flexible
• Adventure Associates: Ropes Courses Overview