SMU Challenge Ropes Course offers new spring discounts

WINONA, Minn. — The Challenge Ropes Course at Saint Mary’s University is celebrating its second season by offering special discounts — up to 25 percent off — to all non-profit and corporate groups who book early.

Full discount information can be found at www.smumn.edu/challenge or by calling (507) 457-8740 or e-mailing challenge@smumn.edu.

The SMU Challenge Ropes Course was constructed late in 2008 and officially opened June 1, 2009. Its mission is to provide quality experiential education programming, with the primary purposes being personal development and team development for a diverse clientele base.

Activities — customized to meet your group’s specific needs and goals — are designed to build self-confidence and teamwork, as well as develop an understanding of the complexities of human nature through the use of a wide variety of elements and initiatives.

By using a system of cables, poles and ropes — at varying heights from 1 to 40 feet off the ground — participants grow as leaders and realize their ability to accomplish things they never thought possible. Highly trained facilitators closely direct these challenges, allowing behaviors, emotions, and ideas to emerge. The program thus allows for a unique growth opportunity of challenge and discovery. The ropes course staff — comprised of experienced SMU students and professional staff — is trained in group facilitation techniques and safety procedures, and is first aid and CPR/AED certified.

SMU high, low ropes course to open to the public June 1

WINONA, Minn. — The new Saint Mary’s University Challenge Ropes Course is complete. The public is invited to use the course for personal and team development, beginning June 1. Registrations will be accepted beginning in May.

The course — located on the Winona campus — provides a unique and fun environment for experiential and adventure-based education. Diverse populations can participate in activities designed to build self-confidence and teamwork, as well as develop an understanding of the complexities of human nature through the use of a wide variety of elements and initiative.

The course includes low challenge elements that are 2 to 3 feet above the ground, and high challenge elements that are 25 to 40 feet above the ground. The low elements course includes seven elements and assorted games and initiatives. The high elements course has nine elements, including a zip line. The tower includes a climbing wall with multiple routes for varying skill levels.

All booking requests must be made no less than two weeks in advance to the Outdoor Leadership Office, (507) 457-8740 or e-mail challenge@smumn.edu.

The ropes course staff — comprised of SMU students and professional staff — is highly trained in safety procedures, and first aid and CPR/AED certified.

Program options include:

• A quarter-day low elements/initiative program — a one- to two-hour workshop presented on elements 2 and 3 feet above the ground.

• A half-day low elements/initiative program — a three- to four-hour program that includes a progression of activities on the low element/initiative course.

• A half-day high elements program — a three- to four-hour program including a minimum of one hour of low element/initiatives and up to three hours on the high element course.

• A full-day program — a six- to seven-hour program including a progression of activities on the low element/initiative course, as well as the high element course. If clients request a full day of high elements, the first hour will be spent on the low course before progressing to the high course.

Fees are based upon number of participants; quarter, half or full-day programs; and categories (university, non-profit or corporate). Staffing can accommodate a group with as few as 6 participants or as high as 50. (Groups with more than 32 members should call for pricing.)
For more information, go online to www.smumn/edu/challenge.