High Ropes at Eden Wood

In September, 26 high schoolers came to All Saints to learn about their personal strengths as a leader. In October, those same high school students were presented with some challenges in the form of high ropes.

Tucked away just 7 minutes away from All Saints, we made our way out to Eden Wood’s Challenge course. After properly donning the harness and helmets, the youth were given some instruction and safety information. The challenge course is challenge by choice which means they encourage all participants to step outside their comfort zone, but it is ultimately the participant has to choose to take those steps outside the comfort zone.

Up first, students had the opportunity to challenge themselves with a cargo net. Before getting on the net, everyone was asked their personal goal. For some the challenge was a fear of heights. For others, it was the tiredness hitting part way up the cargo net. Some just wanted to reach the log at the top, while others wanted to stand up on the log.

Some went up with ease on the first go and decided to add their own challenges. One youth decided to try only using their arms to climb. Our final climb on the cargo net a race between two brave participants who decided to climb blindfolded. They not only got to the top but also stood up on the log at the top.

One of the unique aspects of Eden Wood’s challenge course is that all of the belaying is done as a group, which means every climb is a group effort. Not only does the belay team need to be watching their climber so they can be ready, but they were offering encouragement and advice as each person was climbing.

Next up, they worked in pairs to climb the giants ladder aka Jacobs ladder. Upon first look, this climb looks easy. However, every move makes the ladder sway and the space between each rung gets bigger the higher you get. Every pair of students that went on the ladder started off trying to climb to the next rung on their own. Some of the taller youth could get higher on their own. However, sooner or later, they all realized that they had to work together if they wanted to get higher.

The whole group was giving suggestions to the climbing pair and would offer encouragement when they felt like they could go any further. Finally, the whole group would celebrate any time a pair would get to the next rung or overcome a challenge.