Team Development Course with a High Element

Considerations when choosing which high element to add to your program are:

• Time available
• Total number of participants
• Participant age
• Overall program goals
• Physical abilities

No matter which high element you choose all your participants will have a chance to support their team whether on the ground or in the air.

In general, larger groups would be better served by adding the Alpine Tower as we can support more participants in one day.

The Total Team Challenge requires more physical coordination and balance than the Alpine Tower. Climbing is not recommended for individuals with a history of heart or lung conditions. The course design limits climbers’ weight to 350lbs and below.

Groups with youth in 5^th through 8^th grade typically add the Alpine Tower.  We may program over 2+ days for schools with larger than 80 students. For example, a school with 120 students would bring 60 students day 1 and 60 students day 2.

TDC + High Element Program Capacities

The Alpine Tower is an extremely versatile programming tool for challenge courses. It provides powerful experiential learning opportunities for both individuals and teams. It can be a component of a full program or a stand-alone option.

The Alpine Tower is a triangular shaped 50ft tall structure. It has 3 triangular platforms spaced at approximately 15ft, 40ft, and 50ft off the ground. There are 2 climbing ropes at each corner of the triangle, allowing up to 6 people climb at once. Each rope has different challenges to provide both access for individuals of all skill levels, and to promote choice. Different challenges may include

• Secure wooden ladder with large hand and foot-holds
• Climbing holds of varying sizes
• Climbing poles at different angles, up to fully vertical
• Swinging poles
• Cargo nets
• Multiline ropes

Each climbing rope is set up at the start of each program day. Ropes are anchored securely to the Tower. Figure Eight -on a Bight knot is used, with a carabiner, to attach climber to the harness. A facilitator is attached to the other side of the rope and anchored to a Belay Station. Facilitators belay climbers using an approved belay technique to limit risk of falls. Team members provide “back-up” belay responsibilities, holding onto the rope after the Facilitator, for redundancy in the system.

Duration

30-45 minute climb times are most common, allowing time for each person to climb 1-2x. Before this time, groups will spend about 30 minutes on preparation & orientation. Before and after this time, participants will be focused on TDC elements.

EDGE team development programs combine ground-based team activities with 30- or 45-minute climbs. The length of the climbs depend on the program day and the number of total participants. For smaller groups, the Alpine Tower time will occur towards the end of the program. For groups over 36, participants will climb on a rotation, The first group climbing after the first hour of their TDC program.

Eligibility

In order to climb the Alpine Tower, individuals must properly fit in a seat-harness and helmet, and be wearing close-toed shoes with heels, that sit securely on the feet. The course design limits climber’s weight to 350lbs and below.

Climbing is contraindicated for individuals with

• A history of heart attack or cardiovascular condition
• Pregnant(check with your doctor)
• Has had an organ transplant(check with your doctor)
• History of serious neck, back, or spine injury

Access

With advance notice staff at The EDGE have training to adapt many elements on the tower for people with disabilities, those in wheelchairs, those sensory needs, etc. Individuals must have torso control and use of their upper body. Climbers who need extra physical support, who have vision limitations, or who are non-verbal may utilize a side-climber. A side climber refers to an able-bodied person, typically someone they know in their group who climbs with them (Belayed on a separate rope) and helps them with balance, support, direction, or communication as-needed.

The Alpine Tower can benefit individuals in the following ways:

• Enhance self-esteem
• Promote physical fitness
• Encourage adventure, risk-taking, and creative problem-solving
• Encourage participant to simply try his/her best
• Build respect, choice, communication, and support.

As with all activities at The EDGE,  we follow the philosophy of ‘Challenge by Choice‘.

The Total Team Challenge™ (TTC)  takes team development to new heights! Its unique design combines the individual excitement of a high ropes course while keeping group interaction a key component.  Individuals will rotate through at least 7 stations on the ground in addition to climbing, allowing each person to choose the level of activity that meets their capacity.

Teams of 2-8 to climb together while members on the ground work with them to move across the course. They start by climbing the Cargo Net to the first platform. Traverse a series of 4 sets of challenges that require swinging, walking across cables, stepping onto a 6in swinging platform, and then swing off the final platform.

Rescues are more likely on the Total Team Challenge, and all facilitators on the course are trained to securely perform rescues. Climbers are first coached through how to self-rescue and need to have the strength to pull themselves up from a seated to standing position to be most successful.

Eligibility

In order to climb, individuals must properly fit in a seat-harness and helmet, and be wearing close-toed shoes with heels, that sit securely on the feet. The course design limits climber’s weight to 350lbs and below.

Climbing is contraindicated for individuals with

• A history of heart attack or cardiovascular condition
• Pregnant(check with your doctor)
• Has had an organ transplant(check with your doctor)
• History of serious neck, back, or spine injury

Total Team Challenge is for high school students and older. The TTC operates best with teams of up to 36 participants at one time when part of a TDC program. Capacities of up to 90 may be available for TTC-Only programs.

The Total Team Challenge requires more physical coordination and balance than the Alpine Tower.

Duration

The last 2-3 hours of this type of program may be spent on the TTC as part of a TDC program. This includes time spent on harnessing, preparations, and orientation to the high element. This is enough time for most people to climb the TTC once. This is not guaranteed, however. While facilitators set your group up for a successful experience, it truly depends on how efficient and communicative the group is on completing all 7 stations that are required to move climbers from the start to the finish.

Access

The EDGE may be flexible with some course components to accommodate individuals with extra support needs. However, there is only way up the TTC, and that is the Cargo Net. Some individuals may choose to climb the net and return to the ground. Once they pass the first platform, there are no other ways to exit the course except by completing the entire course or by a facilitated rescue. Climbers who have vision limitations or are non-verbal may utilize a side-climber. This person is an able-bodied person, in their group who climbs with them and helps them with balance, support, direction, or communication as-needed.

Benefits of a TTC Program

• Connection and trust between members
• Improvement in planning & communication
• Greater understanding of collaboration and interdependence
• Strengthening organizational culture
• Situational leadership, value of diverse roles
• Insight and empathy toward others
• Identifying and effectively using resources

Contact us directly regarding interest in a Giant Swing program

Contact us directly regarding interest in a Power Pole program