PE 1663: Ropes Course Programming

Students learn about leadership, teamwork and pushing past perceived limits during this 2-day course at Cornell's Hoffman Challenge Course. The first full day of low elements activities includes getting to know your class-mates through team-centered group games, large-scale problem-solving initiatives and self-reflection. Day 2 on the high ropes course is all about using trust and teamwork to challenge yourself in new ways includes climbing up 10-60 feets in the air, swinging/balancing, jumping and ziplining. This experience is founded on the principle of Challenge by Choice and the outdoor ropes course environment offers fantastic opportunities to learn, grow and try new things with many ways to adapt the experience to every unique person. The course is taught at off-campus at the Hoffman Challenge Course, and transportation is provided.

What to Wear and Bring

The majority of this class takes place outdoors and we run the class rain or shine. You will be walking on trails in the woods, sitting on log benches and climbing on trees. We highly suggest that you bring extra clothing because the weather patterns at the Hoffman Challenge Course can be very different from Ithaca's weather in town. 

• 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 
• Warm socks (extra pair of socks for rainy days)
• A water bottle