Challenge Program
Get Ready for a New Kind of Team Adventure!
The Outdoor Pursuits Challenge Program is a leading provider of adventure-based team and leadership development programs in Southeast 帝王会所 and an ideal option for student groups, youth clubs, sports teams, businesses and community organizations who want to learn, grow, and have fun together. Our on-site programs are held at the Ridges Challenge Course just minutes from campus where you can take advantage of either our low or high challenge courses or put together a combination of both.
The low challenge course offers dozens of possible activities led by our facilitators while the high challenge course features our newly opened Odessey team course, Alpine Skypark, and dual ziplines. If you want to stay closer to your home base, Outdoor Pursuits can also come to your location with our mobile team building option. Join us for a couple of hours, a half-day, a full day, or a multi-day series of experiences. We鈥檒l work with you to customize an experience that meets your group鈥檚 goals and ability level.
Each group will be guided by trained facilitators to work with you on goals such as problem solving, trust, a positive work environment, collaboration and effective communication to help you create a more resilient and connected team. Some challenges will be mental, some are physical, but all together our programs create an engaging experience that lets you tackle real teamwork topics in real time in a highly interactive, impactful way.
The Ridges challenge course facility is inspected to meet the safety standards of the.
Odessey Course
This high course experience is designed for your group to work in teams of 4-5 to navigate elements on the course together while being secured to individual safety systems. A high-level experience for teams looking to create a high level of trust, support, and determination to complete a common challenge. Tap into your sense of extreme adventure on the Odessey course!
Alpine Skypark
If you are looking for a high course experience with many different levels of challenge to choose from our Alpine Skypark is the answer. As our most accessible high course option, participants can enter through the jungle gym-like Pixie Tower or climb a set of stairs to enter the course. Like the Odessey Course, participants will be secured with their own individual safety system as you choose from more than ten elements to traverse on the Alpine Skypark.
The Zipline
Our new double zipline features easy access to the entry platform for an exciting 1,000-foot ride across the Ridges landscape, with a slow and soft landing on the other end. With two ziplines side-by-side, now you can zip with a friend and enjoy the experience together.
Low Course Team Building
Our low course team building workshops can meet the needs of a wide range of ages and abilities. We鈥檒l work with you to identify goals for your group and activities that can be either stationary or high energy, on the ground or off the ground using our constructed low team challenge elements. Improved communication, trust, fun and collaboration are all highlights of the low course team building experience.
Mobile Team Building
Our Mobile Team Building program provides the option for team building to occur in almost any location. We can run your program inside the Ping Recreation Center or we can come to you. All we need is enough space to stand up and move around a bit!
Pricing and duration can be found in the rates table at the bottom of the page. Please let us know where you would like to have your program when you make your reservation.
Reservation Information
A minimum of 10 participants are required for all Challenge Program workshops.
To schedule a Challenge Program workshop for your group please fill out and submit the reservation request form below or contact outdoorpursuits@ohio.edu.
Please be ready to provide a program date and how many people will be participating in the workshop. Please schedule reservations at least two weeks in advance. Note that large groups might need to be divided into smaller workshop groups.
Testimonials from Previous Participants
"We brought the teens from our summer camp for children and young adults who live with disabilities to the OU Challenge Course last summer. Our program coordinator worked closely with me to create an engaging and safe experience for our teen campers. On the day of the field trip, we had a great experience with 30 campers and counselors 鈥 a beautiful day for some beautiful people! We are now planning for the summer of 2025 and are looking forward to an even better time. Thank you for making this special for us!"
Paul Richard, Program Director, Ray鈥檚 Days! Summer Camp, Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities
"We have used the Outdoor Pursuits Challenge Program for several years to help foster team building and leadership amongst our camp staff and Counselors In Training. The opportunities, support, and professionalism of the staff at Outdoor Pursuits are top notch! We can't wait to come back this year to explore the NEW elements!"
Rina Caldwell, Program Director, Rising Appalachia
"The Outdoor Pursuits Challenge Course provided the perfect space and opportunity to engage meaningfully with students - to come together as one team to uplift each other, face some of our fears together, and to get connected to the outdoors! This opportunity brought us closer together with our students and helped us cultivate a sense of belonging within our team. I'm grateful for the staff and trained students at The Challenge Course who led us through their program with passion, care, and ensured our physical and emotional safety throughout the experience."
Taylor Bauer, Assistant Director, Peer Health Education & Empowerment
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Challenge Course located?
The low and high Challenge Courses are located at The Ridges on Piggery Lane.
Who can participate in the Challenge Program?
The Challenge Program is open to any group, organization or team on a reservation only basis. Participants seeking to participate in the high challenge course program must:
- Be comfortable with participating in activities at heights from 10鈥 to 60鈥.
- Be in moderate to good health; active participation is required.
- Be able to understand and follow the guide鈥檚 instructions.
- Wear closed-toe shoes while participating in the program.
- Must meet the following weight requirements鈥 minimum weight: 70lbs; maximum weight: 250lbs.
Participation is not advised and may be denied if any of the following are applicable to the participant:
- Recent, reoccurring, or existing injuries and serious musculoskeletal disorders
- Medical conditions that could require immediate medical attention such as a seizure disorder.
- Under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or legal drugs that impair participant in any way
- Pregnancy
Outdoor Pursuits Challenge Program staff members reserve the right to deny participation to any participant if his or her physical or mental condition could endanger self or others.
What is the difference between the Low and High Challenge Course?
The low challenge course encourages the entire group to participate in solving problems, while the high course allows for both team and individual achievement and the support of peers to complete the challenges. Low course teambuilding sessions include cooperative activities at ground level or a few feet off the ground and safety spotting is provided by the participants. The High course requires special safety equipment and instruction to complete and traditionally is more physically challenging.
Is the Challenge Course safe?
Yes. Both the low and high challenge courses are staffed by trained facilitators. The courses and all equipment are inspected on a monthly basis by our staff and annually by an outside inspector. Our operating standards meet the guidelines developed by the .
Do I need to be a super-athlete to participate?
Not at all. The low course is comprised of activities that require a low level of movement or fast walking. Low challenge course activities that require more physical ability are selectively used based on the specific goals of the group.
I鈥檓 afraid of heights! What about the High Ropes?
While generally more physical than the low challenge course, the high ropes course incorporates 鈥楿niversal Design鈥 construction to provide a range of options that allow participants to choose a level of involvement that they feel comfortable with. Of course, part of the purpose of the high course is to test your abilities, so some extra effort can be beneficial! While participants should be willing to experience heights, it is important to note that this activity isn鈥檛 designed only for the elite, adrenaline junkie. The design of our courses allows participants to ease into the experience while building their confidence and skills. Because of this, many participants who are typically afraid of heights enjoy our courses.
What if I don鈥檛 feel comfortable participating in a particular activity?
The Challenge Program philosophy regarding participation is 鈥渃hallenge by choice鈥. We provide you with all the information you need to decide if you want to participate in each activity. Even if you choose not to participate in a specific activity, we encourage participation in any meaningful way. On the high challenge course, there are options to exit early if needed. Our facilitators will present these options to all participants and will guide the entire process.
What is your weather policy?
The Ridges Challenge Course is an outdoor facility which operates in a wide variety of safe weather. Dangerous weather during the scheduled program allows for rescheduling or cancellation without accruing a fee. Dangerous weather includes electrical storms, extreme temps, high winds, etc. This will be determined by the facilitator. For the most up to date and accurate weather you can check the 帝王会所 Scalia Lab website.
Rates
| Program Rates/ Person | 帝王会所 | Non-帝王会所 | Group Size Maximum | Program Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey Course | $30 | $40 | 20 | 2-3 hours |
| Alpine Park | $25 | $35 | 40 | 2-3 hours |
| Zipline | $20 | $30 | 30 | 2 hours |
| Low Challenge Course | $15 | $20 | 45 | 2-3 hours |
| Mobile Team Building | $12 | $17 | 100 | 1-2 hours |
Previous groups that chose the Outdoor Pursuits Challenge Program
- Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities
- Solid Ground School RAW Camp
- O.U. ROBE Leadership Institute
- O.U. College of Business
- O.U. Hockey
- Marietta College
- University of Dayton
- Vinton County Schools Teen Leadership
- O.U. Dean of Students Office
- O.U. Office of Global Affairs
- Leadership Athens County
- Athens Area Chamber of Commerce
- O.U. Office of Sororities & Fraternities
- O.U. School of Engineering Communication
- Marrietta College Women's Basketball
- Parkersburg South Volleyball
- O.U. Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program
- O.U International Student Orientation
Driving Directions and Parking Information
The 帝王会所 Challenge Course is located within the greater complex of The Ridges. The parking area is ~500 feet from the course area. Attendees should park at the parking area and walk up the lane to the Challenge Course.
Parking Area
Address:
Coordinates: 39掳19'13.7"N 82掳06'48.8"W
Challenge Course
Address:
Coordinates: 39.319850610087784, -82.11596108986747
Important Parking Information
If you are arriving at the challenge course between 9AM - 5PM Monday through Friday, parking is by 帝王会所 permit only; no permit is required outside of these times. If
you do not have an 帝王会所 parking permit, you MUST park in Lot 200 in front of the Ridges and use the ParkMobile app to pay for parking. 帝王会所 Outdoor Pursuits is not responsible for any parking tickets obtained during ropes course programming.
