The NEST (Nurture, Empower, Support, Thrive) Challenge Course brings 30 engaging activities together to foster trust, leadership, and connection. Sitting just across from the Orchard Hill Residence Halls, this one‑of‑a‑kind course, complete with a SkyPark and thrilling zip lines, The NEST is now open for your enjoyment!
What's The NEST?
The NEST Challenge Course offers customizable experiences to strengthen teams, build confidence, and create lasting memories. Whether you're looking for fun icebreakers and games, a facilitated team-building experience, or an unforgettable aerial adventure, we'll help create a program that fits your group's goals.
The NEST offers a mix of high and low team-based elements, bookable in a half-day and full-day format. Programs are professionally facilitated for UMass students, staff and faculty groups, classes, teams and departments, as well as for 5-College and other community partners—and we also host open hours for individual experiences in our SkyPark
The challenge course blends low-to-ground initiatives with elevated obstacles requiring harnesses and helmets, giving participants the chance to collaborate, grow and support each other through real-time problem solving. Low elements are spread across the area (with some you can walk up to anytime), while high elements carry you into the trees for shared challenges and memorable breakthroughs.
Booking Information
The NEST is currently bookable from April 1 – November 1.
Due to overwhelming demand, we are unable to take new Building the Nest, Learning to Fly or Soar Together program requests for August of 2026. Please reach out to @email if interested in booking for September or October 2026, next year, or if you have any other questions.
We are currently accepting requests for our 1-3 hour Break the Ice program and Private SkyParks (see details below). Please use the form below to request a booking:
Our Programs
Enhance Your Experience
Dual Zip Lines
Finish your visit with an exhilarating ride on our side-by-side zip lines.
The dual zip lines can be a stand-alone experience or incorporated into high challenge course programs, creating a memorable finale that participants can enjoy together.
Custom Programs
Every group is different, and every NEST program is designed with your goals in mind.
Whether you're focused on leadership development, exploring risk, strengthening communication, welcoming new team members, or simply creating an unforgettable shared experience, our facilitators will work with you to build a program that matches your group's schedule, objectives, and desired level of challenge.
Contact us to begin planning your customized NEST Challenge Course experience.
Group Capacity: Approximately 8 participants minimum
SkyPark Aerial Adventure
Approximately 1 Hour | Self-Guided Adventure
The SkyPark is our signature aerial adventure experience, offering participants the freedom to choose their own path through a variety of high ropes elements.
Following a brief safety orientation on the ground, participants explore the course at their own pace using a continuous-belay system that keeps them securely connected throughout their climb.
The SkyPark is perfect for groups looking for an exciting, memorable activity that encourages confidence, adventure, and personal achievement.
Features
- “Choose your own adventure” climbing experience
- Twelve aerial challenge elements
- Multiple difficulty levels
- Continuous-belay safety system
- Optional auto-belay descent
Participants should be comfortable climbing, balancing, and swinging.
Group Capacity: 10 climbers at one time. Larger groups are welcome and rotate through the course with program length adjusted accordingly.
Open SkyParks
Pricing
Groups | Break the Ice (1-3 hours) | Half-Day (2-4 hours) | Full-Day (5-8 hours) | Private SkyPark (1 hour) | Open SkyPark |
$150 minimum (for a group of 8 or less) | $200 minimum (for a group of 8 or less) | $360 minimum (for a group of 8 or less) | |||
UMass Undergrad Student | $20 per additional person | $20 per additional person | $30 per additional person | $100 per group (10 pax max) | Free |
UMass Grad Student/ Faculty/Staff/Alumni | $30 per additional person | $30 per additional person | $50 per additional person | $150 per group (10 pax max) | $20per person |
Non-Profit | $40 per additional person | $40 per additional person | $60 per additional person | $150 per group (10 pax max) | $20per person |
Corporate/ Private | $60 per additional person | $60 per additional person | $90 per additional person | $150 per group (10 pax max) | $20per person |
Add lunch to your booking!
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