Ring Swing The Ring Swing begins from a small platform connected to a pole. A series of suspended rings bridges the gap between the platform and the other end. Without a foot cable, the only way to cross the chasm is to use momentum to swing from ring to ring.

Space Walk The Space Walk is a series of ropes with foot loops one step-length apart, facilitating the participant’s traverse from platform to platform. This is a physically demanding challenge!

Vertical Playpen The Vertical Playpen is a vertical obstacle course that offers a different challenge at each level achieved. A series of obstacles such as rope ladders, handlines, large tires, suspended beams, etc. creates an interesting and varied challenge for the climbing team as they ascend.

Wilder Woosey Simply a Wild Woosey at height, the Wilder Woosey steps the commitment level up a notch as the partners attempt to traverse the 35 foot long V using only each other for support. The climbers are each protected by a ground belay team using a dynamic belay system.

Zip Wire The “wire” is an arc-shaped cable strung between two poles – the start end above a high take-off platform. Combined with a K-2 Zip Pulley and a connecting lanyard, the zipper gets one heck of an exciting ride. Gravity is the brake – an uncomplicated system that requires the removal team only to manage a stepladder.

Helix Tower Imagine a standard triangular tower and twist it 60 degrees. The elegance of the Helix Tower is in the visual impression it makes on participants and the programmatic possibilities derived from the angle of the wall surfaces – stay left for difficult overhanging climbs and stay right for easier slab climbing. Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Columbia High SchoolProject Adventure Course

Grand Opening

Project AdventureProgram of Events

Welcome and IntroductionDr. Brian Osborne, Superintendent of SOMSD

RemarksJudy LoBianco, Supervisor of Physical Education & Health

Bob Sutherland, Teacher of Project Adventure

Heidi Hawryluk, Teacher of Project Adventure

CHS students from Project Adventure class

Zip-line ActivityBeth Daugherty, President of the SOMSD Board of Education

Jim Memoli, Assistant Superintendent for Administration

Flying SquirrelBrian Osborne, Superintendent of SOMSD

Lilly Pads A series of suspended circular islands each hang from a solitary rope. The climber must step from one island to the next, with the help of group members on the ground. 3 ropes run to the ground which is attached to the 2 foot diameter discs, allowing the ground team to stabilize them.

Multivine Travese The Multivine Traverse is a-taut horizontal foot cable with sequenced vertical hand ropes interspersed throughout the crossing. From the initial support pole a participant must move out on the cable and eventually lunge for a hanging rope that is two to three feet beyond their farthest stretching reach.

Pamper Pole A truly unique balance, trust and acrobatic experience requiring a modicum of bravery, the Pamper Pole challenges the climber to ascend a slender pole for the express purpose of standing atop it for a few moments in order to absorb the experience. The next step is a big one – a dive for the target ball before safely regaining the ground.

Quadrophenia Four climbers ascend up the same pole at the same time! And all four climbers stand atop on the pole. Do a Yurt Circle, a Trust Fall, or simply step off. Eight people are actively involved in this one – four belayers as well as four climbers to create whole-group involvement.

Rappel Platform A station from which a participant can be somewhat secure in order to connect to a rappel rope, the Rappel Platform is simply an 18-inch square platform connected to a pole. The rappelling experience is backed-up with a belay rope and belayer.

The Beam The difficulty level of The Beam can be altered by adjusting the height of the log from six to eight feet above the ground. The group involved must try to get over The Beam in the most efficient, safety-conscious way. In their attempts, individuals and groups are challenged to improve balance, trust, coordination and teamwork.

Initiative Wall A 12-foot high façade between two upright poles. The face of the wall is smooth and the back of the wall has a platform and staples for descending. The objective of this element is to move your team from one side of the wall to the other by going over the top.

Mohawk Walk Universal By adding overhead cables and a supply of pulleys and assist lanyards, the traditional Mohawk Walk can be converted into an element to suit a wider range of ability levels.

Multiswing A swing rope is one of the handiest items on a challenge course. The Multiswing is a classic element with incredible versatility – the basis being that group members swing from one point to another.

Porthole A large tire is hung between two trees or poles at a height of about 4 ½ to 5 ½ feet above the ground. Program options for the Porthole include having the group pass each participant through the tire with a variety of consequences for ‘touches’ depending on the challenge level desired.

Spider’s Web The Spider’s Web consists of bungee cord woven together in a web-like fashion to provide a classic group challenge. The challenge is to pass each group member through the web without touching the bungee.

Swinging Tires The object of Swinging Tires is to traverse from tire to tire without touching the ground. It can be done individually or as a group. The tires are suspended just above the ground from a series of drop cables and are spaced about six feet apart

Team Triangle The objective is for each individual in the group to move from the platform in the center, touch each pole and return to the platform by using the cables and other group members for support.

T.P. Shuffle A telephone pole (hence the name) rests a few inches above the ground on notched feet. Participants step onto the log and are challenged to switch places according to a variety of criteria, such as order of birth month, without stepping off the log.

Triangular Tension Traverse Three taut legs of cable are installed in trees or poles in the form of a triangle. Two hand lines are attached high above the start point, allowing for two participants to cross by each other as they circumnavigate the triangle in opposite directions while being spotted by other group members.

Trust Fall Platform A wooden platform is installed about four to five feet above the ground. From this height, a group member falls backwards into the arms of waiting group members. This is a classic element that is very important to the trust development of the group.

Wild Woosey The performance object of the Wild Woosey is for two people, while maintaining physical contact with one another, to move along the diverging cables as far as possible.

Burma Bridge The bridge in the Burma Bridge is represented by three parallel cables/ropes set in a triangular fashion – bottom foot cable with two hand lines about four feet above that foot cable. As with any high traversing element, an overhead belay cable parallels the lower cables.

Cat Walk The Cat Walk high element is a level (non-swinging) log, secured between two support poles. With a little tensioned help from the belayer and a modicum of personal commitment, almost anyone can make the walking passage. The application of height adds nicely to the challenge quotient.

Flying Squirrel A participant (the squirrel) is clipped into one end of the rope and is slowly pulled up to the anchor point by a committed group of haulers at the other end of the rope.

Islands-in-the-Sky A series of island platforms are suspended between two poles separated by 2 cables. The climber carefully shuffles across the parallel cables Tired Two Line style between the islands

Jeebie Lunge A belayed participant makes their way out on a taut horizontal cable, using a descending rope for balance. The rope eventually connects to a foot cable. At this juncture the participant can lunge for the first of a series of vertically hanging ropes that is just out of reach

Columbia High School Unveils $190,000 Project Adventure Course

The School District of South Orange and Maplewood is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its Project Adventure High Ropes Course. The adventure course features 29 different elements and is one of the most elaborate and comprehensive courses in any public high school across the country.

Project Adventure is a nine-week elective that teaches students about cooperation, teamwork and communication by way of facilitating physical challenges for classes to overcome. Whether it’s getting each other over a wall or climbing 50 feet in the air while peers support you from the ground, the adventure course is teaching physical, emotional and social concepts that will last a lifetime.

The new Project Adventure course was funded through a Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Grant from the US Department of Education. Through the three-year PEP grant, the physical education department has enhanced and modernized its curriculum and materials to improve student learning. The grant has funded new equipment, technology for physical education and health classes, and professional development opportunities for the staff. We are proud to say that the South Orange-Maplewood School District is a leader in bringing 21st century physical education to our school community.