Ages 12+

What is a Challenge Course

A challenge course duplicates the frequently intense "growth through challenge" pattern that characterizes much of human life. The experience is structured, appropriately controlled, uniquely focused, and accompanied by trained facilitators. Participants are freed to discover new things about themselves.

Sound View's Challenge Course, often called a "ropes course" offers team building and adventure in a great environment. Coming from Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia or Bremerton, we are nearby, highly trained, and ready to work with you to create an event that is perfect for your school, company, youth group, session, birthday party, or whatever! Trained facilitators work with your group's leaders to provide a safe and positive event customized for your needs.

Team Building or Initiatives

An initiative is a project or problem that is presented to your group usually involving some combination of ropes, platforms, beams, trees, empty space, cables, etc. These elements are configured to provide both a goal and an obstacle to achieving that goal. Success usually requires a wide range of the group's mental, physical, and social skills. Initiatives are set up with the belief that each member of your group will bring both strengths and weaknesses to the process. This is a great learning experience for a group, and promotes team building! There are 16 standard initiatives on the Sound View Challenge course as well as a host of "portables". A typical day would include 3-5.

Note: we can bring many of our team building activities to you if you prefer it!

High Ropes Challenge Course

Unlike the initiatives, which generally stay close to the ground, the high course is suspended in the trees - twenty-five to thirty-five feet in the air. Although your team is still on the ground encouraging you and helping to belay your climb, the high course is much more of an individual challenge. There are projects to complete, and problems to solve, however the challenge in the high course is all about conquering your fears and learning how to be succesful in your own right. Each challenge is only at the participants choice, so the degree of difficulty is self regulated. The high course can be a fun adreneline rush and a major learning experience!

Why The Sound View Challenge Course Experience?

• Every individual has room to grow, and the same applies to a group. This is an excellent way to recreate the growth through challenge process that can take years in a normal environment.
• Our facilitators will work hard to provide an atmosphere where group members can feel safe expressing themselves and being vulnerable in ways that promote the growth of the group.
• Fun! It is just plain fun to get out into nature and challenge your wits and your dexterity while breathing in your beautiful natural surroundings!
• The Course is great for... Corporate Team Building, Youth Retreats, Church Renewal, Planning Sessions, Workshops, and so much more!
• Sound View has a long history of safety and high quality facilitation. All of our facilitators are trained to adhere to strict safety standards that are based on the research of industry leaders.
• Our ropes course is ACA certified, which means that we regularly invite outside professionals to inspect our course and our policies to make sure we are doing everything possible to provide a fun and safe experience for you!

CHALLENGE COURSE MISSION STATEMENT:
A challenge course duplicates the frequently intense "growth through challenge" pattern that characterizes much of human life. The experience is structured, appropriately controlled, uniquely focused, and accompanied by trained facilitators. Participants are freed to discover new things about themselves.  We want to help participants

• Recreate growth through the challenge process that can take years in a normal environment