Build a positive team community.
Even sports teams can benefit from a focused teambuilding effort. Each time your team takes the field, court, slope, track, ice, etc, they must work together while performing to the best of their ability as individuals. Sometimes communication fails, the individual overtakes the team, or motivation diminishes. Getting your team out to a different environment to work together to solve problems can give members of the team an opportunity to see each other in a different light. Facilitators may offer a fresh perspective and help explore themes of leadership, encouragement and support, perseverance, and camaraderie.
Our Adventure-based programming can:
- Encourage team-bonding outside the locker room and off the field.
- Develop positive team norms and work to root out the negative ones.
- Bring new leadership to light as team members see others in a different environment.
- Focus on positive feedback channels and communication.
- Offer a space to welcome new athletes as a part of your team.
Past and present clients include:
UVM Women’s Lacrosse, UVM Men’s Lacrosse, UVM Men's Ice Hockey, Rice High School Girl's Soccer, Winooski High School Football Team, UVM Women’s Basketball, Staples High School Boys Soccer (CT)
I'd like to bring my team out, but I am afraid they'll get hurt. Is that possible?
Adventure activities all carry inherent risk. Our course and equipment is managed by well-trained staff and inspected on a regular basis in order to minimize risk. Our goal is to create an environment where participants can challenge themselves while staying physically and emotionally safe.
Some of our ground activities can be physical and require running, jumping, lifting, etc. Just as injury is possible in practice or in a game/event. It's also possible at the course. We do our best to limit possibility for injury.
I'm participating in a program, what should I expect?
Be ready to have fun, be engaged and to challenge yourself! Expect to learn something new about yourself and about your team. Every program at with UVM Adventure Learning Center is unique - your program may be indoors or out at the course. It may be focused on fun and team bonding or have a more specific focus such as working on communication or leadership skills. We may utilize low and high elements, or just be focused on ground work. Your coach will be working with a UVM Adventure Learning Center Facilitator to design your program and will know more about specific elements that will be included.
What if I am afraid of heights?
We all have different fears and fear of heights is extremely common. Please do not let heights be the reason you decide to stay home. We encourage individuals to take risks that are healthy for them. Some people who are afraid of heights may find it empowering to try to climb while on belay and encouraged by a supportive team. Others may choose to be supportive by learning to belay or help holding the ladder. It’s important to remember that the high challenge is only part of the day. You have the freedom to make the choices that are best for you at the course.
What is a ropes course?
A ropes course IS…
• A place where groups are challenged to better communicate with each other.
• A safe environment for individuals to challenge themselves.
• A place to learn the value of group support and encouragement.
• A place to for groups to have a shared experience outside of their typical environment.
• A program filled with activities designed to discover individual and group strengths.
• A program which may contain any of the following elements, depending on the group’s desired outcomes for the day: games, ice breakers, problem-solving initiatives, low ropes, high ropes or climbing elements.
A ropes course IS NOT…
• A place for competition. While some elements may contain a little bit of competition the activities are designed with group participation in mind.
• An obstacle/survival course. While we do have some more physical elements, the climbing portion of the course may only be a small portion of the day. Every activity that we do will have options for other ways to participate if you are not comfortable. For instance, if you are not comfortable with climbing, you will be able to help by belaying the climbing (keeping the climber safe).
What should I bring?
• Completed and signed Liability and Medical Information form (Your group’s coordinator may collect these in advance)
• Snacks/lunch (Please note, any trash you bring into the course must be packed out)
• A full water bottle (We have no running water on the course)
• Extra layers (It’s always cooler in the forest)
• A raincoat (Our programs run rain or shine)
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen
• Any special medications you may need, such as bee sting kits or inhalers
• Please do not bring any valuables out to the course. We do not assume responsibility for items left on our course. Our course is located in the woods in South Burlington. People use the trails around our course for walking.
What about my cell phone?
We understand the need to be connected, but we ask that you would focus on making connections to those you are at the course with. So, we ask for the duration of the day at the course to keep the phones away (except for taking the occasional photo). We hope that this will help to create a positive, comfortable, and safe environment for all our participants.