Naturalists At Large - Sites by Program: Challenge Courses

Sites by Program

Challenge Courses

Challenge Courses foster a sense of accomplishment. Also known as Ropes Courses, they are success oriented and provide students with a stimulating and exciting, yet successful, experience. The lessons learned from participating in a Challenge Course are trust in fellow students, greater ability to focus and increased self-esteem.

Ropes Courses are designed to provide students with an individual and group challenge that will allow them to become more confident. A Ropes Courses provides a feeling of accomplishment that will be transferable to a student's life at school and home.

Mount Cross, Santa Cruz — An excellent challenge course in a redwood grove with high and low elements. While at this lodge-based site students live in cabins with central baths or in more elaborate lodges. Educational highlights can include redwood ecology, coastal studies and/or riparian studies. See the site description!

Whitsett, Southern Sierra — Features a challenging ropes course with low and high elements. Located in an open mountain setting, Whitsett also offers swimming in Lake Ida (in season). There are excellent backpacking options. Rock-climbing compliments the ropes course and is a popular option here.

Less than a half hour north of Santa Barbara, El Capitan Canyon has it all. A beautiful streamside location, beaches, canyons, tidepools, chaparral covered hillsides combine to create numerous educational opportunities. The perennial stream is prefect for studying freshwater ecology. A new high-challenge course makes El Capitan Canyon a very excellent site!

The tidepools and beaches of El Capitan State Park are a fifteen-minute walk away. Kayaking can be included in most programs.

Students and chaperones stay in modern cabins with baths. Wholesome meals are served under the oaks.

Oakes Outdoor Learning Center, San Bernardino Mountains — Extensive high and low challenge courses develop teamwork skills. Here is a chance for individuals to meet and then exceed their personal goals — while building confidence and self-esteem. At Oakes, the lake and pool provide numerous opportunities for swimming, kayaking and canoeing. The Pacific Crest trail traces the eastern border of Oakes — it's just one of the many trails accessible to us.

Cedar Lake, Whittle and Round Meadow, San Bernardino Mountains — All have challenge courses with low and high elements. Cedar Lake has a climbing wall. Set in a conifer forest, each camp is lodge-based with rooms with baths. Educational highlights can include forest and riparian studies. Suitable for sixth grade or older.

Pilgrim Pines, San Bernardino Mountains — This year-round foothill site has excellent accommodations and a new challenge course.

	Another year-round site with a superior Challenge Course along with excellent accommodations is Camp Gilmore in the Santa Monica Mountains. Situated in Malibu Canyon, nestled amongst old oaks and evergreens, Camp Gilmore is convenient for southern California schools.
See the site description! For more information on these and other great sites, please read about our lodge-based programs and our outdoor learning program sites.