A typical day at ropes consists of campers going through a high and low ropes course, and doing various trust exercises. The campers in upper camp get to go through the entire ropes course, and participate in activities in low ropes like The Wall and the Trust Fall. The younger campers do easier low ropes activities, and parts of the high ropes elements, including the zipline.
Campers really enjoy all the low ropes elements because of the trust they have to discover in each other. We as ropes specialists like to start off with easy activities, and slowly work towards harder ones that are challenging yet supportive as the kids become more comfortable and trusting of their counselors and bunkmates. Younger kids love to do the “Nitro Crossing”. The Nitro Crossing requires campers to use a rope to swing from one platform to the next, without touching the ground and with every camper fitting on the one platform. The campers like this because there is a huge amount of teamwork involved, and it strengthens the bond of the bunk. And this is apparent to us specialists when we hear feedback such as, “I like how we all have to listen to each other and collaborate to come up with different ideas and think quickly on our feet.” They understand the values that they build within their bunks.
The bonds that form while the campers are on the ropes course are invaluable to the camper’s experience while at Crane Lake. Without the trust that they develop with their bunkmates while on the course, they would not be able to make the lifelong friends that they do. The campers bond with each other while pushing themselves to overcome their fears and try things that they haven’t before.
Working at ropes is a unique experience as a specialist. Unlike other activities at CLC, we get to spend the entire day with each bunk, rather than just one activity period. It’s really incredible for us to be able to watch the community of a bunk develop throughout their day on the ropes course. There are some days where getting a group of campers to work together will seem impossible, but as we progress through the low and high ropes elements they start trusting each other and working together.
Additionally, seeing campers develop as individuals throughout their day at ropes is so incredible to observe. Kids often come to ropes with the mindset that they’re not going to do the course at all. With common phrases such as “I’m scared of heights!” and “ No, I’m not going. I don’t trust my bunkmates”. The campers can enter the ropes environment with a closed mindset. We work through all these excuses, and take small steps to get the campers to push their boundaries. First we just ask them to put a harness on, then a helmet, then we have them just clip into the carabineers. The gradual process of getting the campers ready for ropes gets them actually excited to do the course, and they usually end up trying the course, and loving it!
I love feeling like I’ve made an impact on the campers’ lives. Even if its something as small as getting them to try something new. In the long run, learning to trust their friends, counselors, and the ropes staff can be extremely helpful for a camper.
By Val Fisher, Ropes Specialist