At the Challenge Course, we create a carefully sequenced progression of hands-on activities that help groups explore team-building and leadership skills. These may include non-competitive games that set the tone for the day, problem-solving activities, low to the ground elements featuring our Team Development Course (or low element course), and high elements featuring our Odyssey III course where multiple groups of 6-8 participants work together through a variety of group challenges.
Everyone! We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for our participants to get involved and engage. So everyone is welcome:
Corporate groups
Non-profit organizations
Community groups
University academic classes, organizations, and departments
Middle School and High School students
Athletic teams
To help ensure optimum engagement, we set a minimum group size of 8 persons, with the upper limits on our group sizes reaching 100 depending on the selected activity type.
Much of our programming is designed for persons 12 or older. We welcome all abilities, so please let us know about the availability of accommodations for special needs. Also, we operate using "Challenge by Choice" as our guiding principle. Participants are not forced to do something they are uncomfortable doing; at the same time, we encourage everyone to challenge themselves to try something new.
Though inherent risks are in everyday life, we emphasize the safety of our participants from the start of the day to the conclusion of your program. Finding ways to enhance your experience is a priority for Outdoor Recreation, and minimizing the chance you get hurt is a great way to help ensure you enjoy your time with us. Our facilitators are instructed that they and the participants have a role in making the day successful and strive to work with every participant to manage the risks of each activity.
We work to create an assortment of fun and engaging event types to help increase the odds that everyone will find something to enjoy. So, a good choice of activity is the one that looks like the most fun and that you feel will be the most engaging for your group or team.
Programs typically last 2 to 4 hours, but our events are fully customizable, so depending on the group's wants and needs, we can cater the time to your schedule.
Custom events are often a fun and powerful medium for individuals and groups to step out of their Comfort Zone and into their Challenge Zone. This is where your group members will learn new insights and accomplish tasks they did not know they could do. Each activity provides opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment.
We may be inside or outdoors, depending on your selected activity type. Please make sure that your group is prepared for either. If we will be outside, sunscreen, close-toed shoes, and comfortable clothing are always good options. Loose-fitting pants or shorts that allow for a full range of motion are best. Click for more information.
Always check the weather before you come. You may need sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Depending on the month, you may need to bring wind/waterproof and insulating layers. We provide drinking water. You may want to bring a water bottle to fill. If your group will be outside for a full day, we have catering options at an additional cost, or you may bring a cooler to keep your food fresh. Because we will be active outside, please leave all valuables at home or in vehicles. Cell phones and wallets may be placed in a secure building and will be returned at the end of the day. You are welcome to bring your camera.
You are welcome to provide food, or we have catering options if you'd prefer. Our staff can help your group transport coolers and food during our outdoor events if requested. Drinking water is provided; please bring your refillable bottle.
Our staff is willing to work in various weather situations, keeping your group's comfort level in mind. If weather conditions become unsafe, we must cancel the scheduled program. For example, we do not work during thunderstorm warnings, tornado warnings, hail, or lightning. Depending on programming, heavy rain may make it unsafe to continue. For groups coming for teambuilding programs, we can take our portable activities indoors if space is available during inclement weather events.
Our primary goal is to emphasize to groups the fundamentals of Teamwork: effective communication, cooperation, decision-making, and "solution-finding," with an emphasis on learning by doing through reflection to capture that learning and then exploring ways to ensure the transfer of learning by participants' to other areas of their lives, whether it be work, school, athletics, etc.
What does that translate into? Actions that may include:
Assisting others when they need it
- Acknowledging the efforts of others
- Sharing ideas or expertise with others
- Giving and receiving positive, constructive feedback to improve processes or outcomes
- Working toward solutions that the entire group or team can support
- Demonstrating trust in others' abilities and ideas
Absolutely. We realize that a Corporate group likely has very different goals and objectives than a Middle School class. So, by conducting a Needs Assessment with your group and organization, we can custom-design a program specific to the needs of your group. We are committed to providing you with an experience exceeding your expectations.
The University of Arizona Experiential Learning Campus Challenge Course is located at Rincon Vista. Turn into the parking lot at 2300 15th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (South of Broadway between Tucson Ave and Plumer Ave).