The Adventure Ropes Challenge Course is a series of high and low ropes exercises designed to test a group’s teamwork as well as develop self-confidence and leadership. The course is offered - upon request - to all ages and is conducted by UMPD and the Amherst Police Department. Read more in our Ropes Brochure.
How To Apply
First, determine if you are interested in a half-day or full day currculum. The half day curriculum is low ropes based and is focused on teamwork and problem solving, with an emphasis on leadership and communication. Half-days are generally scheduled as either morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (noon - 3pm) sessions. Full days are run from 9am -3pm and will include a low ropes morning and then a transition to high ropes after lunch. The course runs throughout the year for various groups upon request and is held at the Notch Visitors Center in South Amherst. Instructors are officers from UMPD and the Amherst Police Department who are certified and received training at the High Five Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.
The Ropes Adventure Course is Personalized for your Group
The curriculum is built around your group's goals whether the focus is on teamwork, confidence building, problem-solving or all three. Following are a few of our past Ropes Adventure Course groups:
- Amherst College Athletics Women's Softball Team
- Delta Upsilon Fraternity
- New Student Orientation Staff
- UMass Men's Basketball
- UMass Men's Hockey
- UMass Women's Tennis Team
*NEW*-Initiative-Based Leadership and Teambuilding Sessions
As an extension of the work we do with leadership and teambuilding on our Adventure Ropes Course UMPD has added this new option. These 1-2 hour long sessions are designed to bring groups closer together with classroom style initiatives. These sessions will be taught by UMPD’s trained instructors and will guide groups through initiatives designed to develop participant communication, to understand and enhance leadership skills, and help participants understand the importance of perspective when working in groups. Instructors can work with group leaders to determine the best exercises based on the overall goals of the group.
Program Goals
We are committed to our communities, and to the benefits of the community policing philosophy. The Adventure Ropes Challenge Course builds bridges with the communities we serve. The challenge course allows you to view officers as teachers, mentors and team members, and it allows us to interact with you in a team-building environment.
Contact Us
For more information or to set up a session/training contact Officer Brian Kellogg in Community Outreach at bkellogg@umass.edu.
