HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-09-28, Page 30Wednesday, September 28, 2011 • Goderich Signal -Star 29
e the Falls challenge course celebrates grand opening
ears of drafting funding
all tiers of government,
ervice clubs, and under -
s safety certification, the
uron County's first non-
ge course recently cele -
d opening.
lis has been operating for
t just this year completed
n a clubhouse that is also
ldoor rock climbing wall,
roject to run year round.
uite a journey, and it all
e support from the com-
outh engagement coordi
dy. "Once those wheels
n, there was no stopping
wheels was United Com-
dit Union, said Bundy,
buted $40,800, which
rse facilitator Craig Har-
ged to attract further
ed to be able to support
d get things underway,"
president and chief exec-
f United Communities,
s in with our support of
ent, and I think it all ties
in nicely together and we're pleased with
that."
located within Benmiller's Falls
Reserve Conservation Area, Above the
Falls consists of several "elements,' or
challenges, whose aim is to teach partic-
ipants teamwork, leadership skills; and
trust. Bundy said the course has attracted
numerous school groups and corporate
parties.
On a recent tour of the grounds,
Bundy explained that each challenge is
non-competitive.
"It's not about who can get there faster
or higher," he said. "It's about helping
your team get there faster and higher."
The course starts off with simple tasks
as participants begin to trust and coop-
erate with each other, then graduates to
riskier challenges such as the Initiative
Wall,. where the task is to get the whole
team up the wall and over to the other
side. Shortly after that is the Trust Fall,
where one team member stands on the
deck and falls backward into the team's
arms like body surfing at a rock concert.
"As wemove along through all these
elements, the risk gets higher and higher,
personally and physically," Bundy
explained. "We tell them what they need
to do and let them figure it out. It's that
bit of learning that we want them to do."
The final challenge comes in the form
of a 45 -foot tower, and the team must
work together until everyone reaches the
top. On the day of the grand opening,
United Communities Credit Union
employees climbed up the crow's nest,
one of four ways to reach the top. Each
team member wears a harness that's
attached to a rope directed by another
team below. To reach the top of the
crow's nest, each participant climbs a
ladder, then a series of pegs before all
team members are standing on the plat-
form together while it sways back and
forth.
Just like the other elements before it,
the final tower climb is aimed at teach-
ing lifelong lessons that participants can
use everyday.
"All of a sudden, you're pretty close to
the person beside you," Bundy said. "So
if it's a team member or a coworker, that
transfers; that goes beyond today into
tomorrow."
At the top of the tower, Bundy and
Harrison debrief each team, reviewing
all the lessons they've learned through-
out the day.
Bundy said the course is ideal for
school trips, children with behavioural
problems, and corporate team -building
exercises.
For more information, Bundy can be
reached at (519) 525-7224.
submMed
United Communities Credit Union employees work to pull the
last member over the climbing wall. Course manager Rob
Bundy, left, ensures the safety of climbers Flo Hargraves and
Jim Lynn, both of United Communities, before the 45 -foot climb
to the platform.
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