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Cornell University

Cornell Outdoor Education

Challenge Course

A team on a low element at the challenge course

We have two challenge courses at Cornell University. The Hoffman Challenge Course is where we run our outdoor element challenge course programming. This facility is open from March thru Mid-November every year. 

Our indoor accessible challenge course in Noyes Fitness Center is open year-round. This course includes four team-based high elements. We are able to run portable teambuilding at this facility as well in order to create an indoor low and high challenge course experience. 

Low Elements

In a low element program, participants engage in a series of group initiatives and challenges--unique exercises that require groups to brainstorm, plan, implement, evaluate, and improvise. Our facilitators are intentional about choosing activities that will encourage group members to practice their collaboration and leadership skills. These exercises are physically and mentally engaging, but not physically strenuous. This includes activities like balancing on a platform, walking on ropes or cables, transporting objects and solving puzzles as a group.* After each exercise, group members reflect on their experience and draw out lessons regarding trust, communication, leadership, and high-performance teamwork. These activities are conducted in a supportive environment designed to invigorate and integrate your team.  A fringe benefit is this time spent off-site with your group, enjoying a beautiful natural setting.

 

We have upwards of 25 low elements at our Hoffman Challenge Course facility including a Spider’s Web, Up and Over Wall, Whale Watch, Maze, Islands, and more! 

For indoor portable teambuilding, we have a repertoire of more than 50 activities.

 

High Elements

Participants climbing up the quadraphenia element on the Hoffman Challenge CourseThis type of challenge includes the use of ropes, harnesses, and technical climbing equipment, for activities anywhere from 5 to 50 feet off the ground. The high elements give participants a chance to stretch their comfort zone, metaphorically and physically stepping past perceived limits, and “reaching new heights” while being supported by a professional belayer and their team members. Our facilitators ensure the emotional safety of every climber, using positive encouragement that matches the individual goals of each person. For some high elements, we invite team members to assist with a group belay system which means they are responsible for physically supporting a climber. 

The centerpiece of the Hoffman Challenge Course is a 64-foot high replica of Cornell's McGraw Tower, complete with "tree fort" platform, rappelling stations, a 400-foot double Zipline, and a 40-foot Giant Swing. The Hoffman Challenge Course has more than 20 high elements including Balance Beams, Leap of Faith Poles, a Flying Squirrel, Islands in the Sky and many more! 

Participant descending from tower at ropes course, while being belayed by three people on the ground in the foreground of the image.
The dangle duo element on the tower at the Hoffman Challenge Course

The Noyes Challenge Course in our indoor high challenge course facility, located in the Noyes Fitness Center gym, on Cornell's west campus. The building is handicapped accessible and all elements on the course are designed to be team-based and accessible to people with different abilities. There are 5 high elements and for each the climber starts on the ground and ascends up to 23 feet in the air, supported on ropes by their peers. The indoor high elements include a leap of faith, flying squirrel, crate stacking and two marionette climbs.

 

*We can adapt most of the outdoor challenge course activities to work for individuals who have physical limitations. Check out our ECCs for more information about course accessibility.


Click here to request a program

For more information, please reach out! teambuilding@cornell.edu