Facing Fears on the Ropes Course

On Monday morning before the Linsly low ropes course, some campers expressed their feelings on the upcoming activity.

“It’s easy and so much fun,” one said.

“So excited, can’t wait for it to happen,” said another.

“Great way to build trust in each other,” a third responded.

When it came to the high ropes, the responses were a little bit less enthusiastic. Nearly all mentioned that they were “a bit scared.”

We arrived at the outdoor center at 10:00 a.m. After being divided into groups, we did a few warm-up challenges to introduce the importance of teamwork to solve problems.

Then we began our first low ropes course—a spider web with bells, in which you had to fit teammates through open sections of a “rope web” laced with tiny bells, which would ring if the web was bumped. It was harder than it looked to fit teammates through the slots. And not just fit them, but make sure you did it without ringing a bell!

One of the campers had to be dragged underneath the web because it was the last spot left. I had to wheelbarrow walk through a hole, and that worked my arm muscles.

After completing each low ropes challenge, Linsly staff asked if we learned something. Most of the time we replied, “teamwork” and “faith in one another.”

Later, one of the activities surprised me: walking on a cable while holding ropes hanging from above. It was something new!

Once again, teamwork! We had to grab two ropes and as soon as we had them, we had to carefully swing one of the ropes to the next person waiting in line to catch it.

After we completed the low ropes course, we headed back to our camp site to get some rest and have lunch.

The low ropes were great fun because campers got to build character and trust in one another. We learned to be there for one another and to catch our teammates whenever they might fall.

Finally, the scary part came: the high ropes.

The first course I saw was the Giant’s Ladder, which some campers completed.

Before going on the high ropes, the Linsly Outdoor Center staff explained to us how the course would work while we put on our safety harnesses.

Finally, it was time to climb in the first tree to face the fear most of us had—heights! Some campers handled it well and even completed the courses with smiles on their faces. Others had looks of shock.

In one challenge, you began by climbing a metal ladder. It seemed to go on forever! When you finally reached the top, you had to continue climbing using iron clips in the side of a tree. While I was climbing, my hands started to shake. Once at the top, it was scary! Everyone advised me not to look down, but, of course, I accidently did anyway.

Another activity was the free fall, which was even higher than the first course! You had to step down from a platform in a tree. You fell—and fast! Many girls screamed. But the guys loved it, shouting words like “Oh boy,” “Yeah,” and “Whoo-hoo!”

Getting down on the ground felt so good. I realized how much safer I felt with both of my feet on the earth.

A third challenge course was a log, like a balance beam, suspended between two trees, which was slippery and made a weird squeaky sound. When you looked down, you could see the whole Linsly campus, and all the activities going on below. The people looked like they were having fun and enjoying themselves.

Fellow campers not participating in the activities cheered on others who were doing the challenge courses, encouraging them to do their best. Everyone had a great time.

A few also ascended a rock climbing wall, which was not very tall and pretty easy for most of the campers.

After I had done a few activities, I watched other campers complete some of the individual challenges. Some did the free fall backwards. It was amazing that they had the guts to do that!

When I sat back watching some campers overcome their fears of heights, while laughing and smiling (with some even yelling with enthusiasm), I realized how much fun a day on the ropes overcoming your biggest fears could be!