The Challenge Course

SSM has both high and low Challenge Courses.

Programs are available for:

Corporate Groups
Executive Teams
Team Building Programs
Leadership Programs
Youth and School-Age Groups

Program topics may include:

Planning within a group context
Understanding differences between individual and team approaches
Selecting of leaders
Identifying of roles
Supporting each other
Demonstrating the need for a common vision
Setting goals and benchmarks
Learning from one’s mistakes
Interdependency
Trusting others
Risk taking
Challenging self-limits
Letting go of control
Facing challenges and fears together

Programs of varying length are available to meet the objectives and requests of your group. Facilitators cater specific challenges and activities to address your organization’s needs.

The SSM Challenge Course offers a facilitated team-building experience. Programming is designed by the facilitators based on the group's goals, the size of the group, and other group characteristics.

Low ropes programming can be offered for any length of time. The activities, initiatives, and/or elements chosen will be determined based on the time frame and the group's goals.

While the course boasts eight different high ropes experiences (elements), each individual element takes a minimum of 5-7 minutes per participant to complete. Any event shorter than four hours will not include high ropes unless the group has prior experience on the course and/or a specific purpose that facilitators feel can be appropriately addressed in the time allotted.

A four-hour event will likely include only one high ropes element for each participant. The facilitators of a four-hour event will prioritize team-belayed events, like the Giant Ladder, Power Pole, or Giant Swing.

The zip line takes at least 7 minutes per participant. If the group would like to include zip lining in their event, the group will need to ensure they have scheduled enough time to complete it, based on the number of participants in their group.

For more information about ropes courses programs, please contact Amy Cox at amy.cox@s-sm.org.

If you are looking for a simple 'pay to play experience', then the robust initiative programming that is the base of SSM's Challenge Course experiential foundation is not the course for you. For groups who are only looking to climb around without programming, we recommend Kerfoot in Henderson or the Mall of America. In those systems, course staff simply clip you in at the bottom and you move around independently.

Challenge Course FAQ

What elements does the course have?

The SSM Ropes Course has eight high elements and seven stationary low elements. The high elements include a zip-line, four traverses, the Giant Swing, the Giant Ladder, and the Power Pole. These elements all require a belay system (harnesses, rope) to keep participants safe. The Giant Ladder, which is climbed by two participants together, and the Power Pole are belayed by the participants themselves, which make them good options for group development. The Giant Swing also requires the whole group to participate in the challenge. The zip-line and traverses are more individual challenges, though they are surmounted with the support of the team below. The low elements are used to promote group development in a variety of ways, depending on the emphasis requested by the participants. A number of portable elements and initiatives are also available.

How much does it cost?

How many facilitators do we need?

Where should we park and where do we meet?

What should I wear?

What should I bring?

What if I’m afraid of heights? Do I still have to do the high ropes?

Shattuck-St. Mary’s Challenge Course adheres to the “Your Challenge, Your Choice” philosophy. You are in control of your level of participation. We encourage you to try things that may be somewhat outside of your comfort zone as part of the personal challenge involved in the course, whether that means climbing five feet in the air, or climbing thirty-four feet. However, we will not pressure you into doing anything that makes you feel truly uncomfortable. If you choose not to climb, you will still be an important part of the experience, involved in supporting your group members from the ground.

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