Pre-Program Information

Participant Documents

All participants, regardless of program, are required to complete a Participant Waiver. If participants are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the waiver. 

Getting There

Hoffman Challenge Course on Google Maps

Bartels Hall on Google Maps

We can also book programs at a location of your choice so make sure to confirm the location with your event coordinator!

Safety and Challenge By Choice

Cornell Team & Leadership Center has a stellar safety record. In addition to an excellent facility and well-trained instructors, we ask all participants to contribute to the safety of each program by making responsible decisions regarding their own level of participation. No more than average physical ability is required. 

Most importantly, our ethic of challenge by choice means that every activity is an opportunity, and that at no time will any participant be obligated to do anything they do not wish to do.

Those with relevant medical concerns or emotional needs are encouraged to speak with facilitators and exercise good judgment regarding their participation.

Portable Team Initiatives

These are team-based challenges that encourage people to work together as they solve problems and complete tasks. Participants will be engaged by a series of unique exercises that may include passing objects, brisk walking, or balancing. These exercises are physically and mentally engaging, but not physically strenuous and are conducted in a supportive environment designed to invigorate and integrate your team.

Low Element Programs

The low element programs at the Hoffman Challenge Course engage teams in unique exercises on our low ropes course. These exercises require groups to brainstorm, plan, implement, evaluate, and improvise. These activities are conducted in a supportive environment designed to invigorate and integrate your team. The activities will be physical in the sense of requiring active participation, but they do not require above-average physical fitness. You may be walking on cables 2-feet above the ground, balancing on boards, passing objects, sitting on the grass, or even crawling under ropes.

High Ropes Climbing Elements

High elements can be team-oriented, individual, or small group challenges. These range from heights of 10 to 40 feet above-ground. They allow participants the opportunity to grow through personal challenges while being supported by their team. This is an opportunity to stretch one’s comfort zone, step beyond perceived limits, and “reach new heights” with the support of your peers. The centerpiece of the Hoffman Challenge Course facility is a 64-foot high replica of Cornell's McGraw Tower, complete with a "tree fort" platform, rappelling stations, and a 400-foot double Zipline. Other high elements include high Balance Beams, Pamper Poles, a Flying Squirrel, and many others.

There is a 300lbs weight limit on the zip line.

Virtual Program

The climbing components of these activities can be strenuous, but there are many important supporting roles that participants can assist with from the ground. Every participant will be wearing a waist harness and a helmet, so long shorts, non-baggy clothing and low hairstyles are suggested for maximum comfort.

Virtual programs take place on either Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. The facilitators will run a variety of activities that include discussions, problem solving, collaboration and self reflection. There may be some light physical activity as well. You will move between a main virtual room and break out rooms where you may be asked to access documents or other websites in order to participate. We encourage you to keep your camera on during the entire program so that everyone can pick up on valuable body language from their teammates.

These exercises require the use of a personal computer with stable internet connection and audio/visual capabilities. You will need to have the selected virtual platform installed on your computer in order to join.

How to Dress for May-September Programs

The majority of our programs take place outdoors. You may be climbing up wooden structures, sitting on log benches or kneeling on grass. Wear clothing that protects your body from the sun and bugs. 

• Closed-toe shoes are required - sneakers are ideal 

• Wear flexible clothes that will allow you to climb and stretch
• Dress in layers and bring more layers than you think you will need
• Bring a rain jacket even on days that look bright and sunny
• If you decide to wear shorts, they should be at least mid-thigh length so that you are comfortable wearing a waist harness on the high elements.
• Long hair should be tied back and loose jewelry should not be worn as they can get in the way while climbing

How to Dress for Oct-April Programs

In the colder months we offer both outdoor and indoor programming. The list of suggested gear below is primarily for outdoor programs. 

• Closed-toe shoes are required- Hiking shoes or a waterproof shoe (ankle support is not needed unless you are prone to twisted ankles, however there could be snow on the ground, so a snow boot would be a fine option as well)
• Warm beanie/hat
• Wool or synthetic “base layer” like long-johns or a long sleeve shirt
• Fleece jacket or sweater, puffy jacket or vest
• Jacket shell to protect you against the wind
• Gloves
• Lightweight, full-length hiking pants or heavier duty-pant that you can still stretch your legs in
• Wool socks (heavier socks are better)

Weather

• Check the hourly weather report before coming out for your program
• The temperature at our Challenge Course on Mount Pleasant is often a few degrees colder than the Ithaca campus.
• There are times when it’s a gorgeous day in downtown Ithaca, but up at the Challenge Course, it is windy and overcast (or more extreme) so be prepared for anything and bring layers!

Water, Snacks and What to Bring

• Reusable water bottles to keep yourselves well-hydrated (we have water available for refilling bottles)
• Bring snacks! (fruit, granola bars, etc.) You'd be surprised how much energy you expend doing team challenges and climbing! If your group is not providing meals, please bring something to eat so that you can fully engage with the program.
• Any personal medications that you’d want to have with you in the outdoors (inhaler, EPI-pen, etc. )

Yurt Rentals and Overnight Stays

On-Site Facilities

We have two yurts located at our ropes course facility on Mount Pleasant. One yurt in a field (we call this the "large yurt") and it is approximately 50 feet in diameter. It gets a lot of natural light during the day, but as a result, it can heat up in the summertime. The "small yurt" is about 30 feet in diameter. It is located in the forest and it tends to stay a little cooler since it's in the shade. The yurts are large open spaces with a few screened windows and lanterns strung along the inner perimeter. They are unfurnished and very rustic.

Bathrooms- There are two composting toilet facilities that are about a 1-minute walk from the yurts.  These will be unlocked during your stay. There is a foot pump sink and biodegradable soap right outside the toilets. You may have to depress the foot pump about 10 times to get water flowing. This is not drinkable water. 

Water- There is a water cooler in the pavilion, but we have no running water on site. 

Electricity- The large yurt and the pavilion run on solar power. There is enough power to charge some phones however, if we've had a few cloudy days the power supply will be diminished. 

Heat- Both yurts have wood stoves for cold weather days and we supply wood, firestarter and lighters. There is firewood stored in a woodshed near the three little sheds at the edge of the field. Please use only what you need. You may collect kindling from the woods. 

NEVER LEAVE FIRES UNATTENDED. Please return all firewood to the place that you found it after your staff. No firewood should be left in the yurt.

Tables/Chairs- We can provide some chairs and tables upon request, but there are no sleeping facilities and no private areas inside the yurts.

Parking: Please park your cars in the parking area near Moriah Hall (the bathrooms). You may drive up to the pavilion briefly to unload gear, but please do not drive on the grass and don’t leave cars in the field area.

Other Needs

Rental Gear- We do have sleeping bags and pads available for rent through Cornell Outdoor Education. You can find a list of the available rental gear here:  https://scl.cornell.edu/coe/outfitting/gear-rental

Cooking and Food at the Course- There are no kitchen facilities on site. We have a covered pavilion space where groups usually set up tables for eating. You can either cook on camp stoves or get food delivered and we're happy to recommend some places that will deliver food to the course. We do have a compost tumbler that we encourage you to use for any food waste that is produced. 

Trash/compost/recycling- We have trash and recycling bins in every yurt and the pavilion, but we are a pack it in/pack it out facility, meaning that your group is responsible for leaving the space as you found it, and taking all trash and recycling off-site after your stay. 

Any food waste can be added to our black compost tumbler, near the pavilion.

Bugs, Ticks & Lyme Disease

Please remember that we are sharing the great outdoors with insects. From June to August we have mosquitos and black flies at the Challenge Course. There are spiders and ticks all year round. During any outdoor activity in the northeastern United States, there is the risk of getting bitten by a tick that carries Lyme Disease.

We have insect repellent available for your use at the course. Visit the NYS Department of Health Guidelines on Lyme Disease for more information.

If you have any questions please e-mail us at teambuilding@cornell.edu or call us at 607-254-4897. 

Thank you and we look forward to meeting you!