If the question of the day was, ‘If not now, when?’, the answer is, now.
If the theme of the day was to ‘Defy your limits and define yourself,’ the defying and the defining have both begun.
After a few years on the architect’s table and a few months in construction, we are thrilled to announce that our brand new ropes course has arrived! After so many months of viewing this dream on paper, in 3D rendering software, and discussing it with our builders, at long last, the work is complete.
Our new, continuous-belay ropes course, climbing wall, and dueling zip lines, have been installed, signed and sealed by the state, and are ready to rock for Summer 2021!
We are very excited to share that the course is accessible to all ages. All of the elements were built in a way that allows each of them to be modified and adjusted to youth of differing ages and ability. Whether you want to soar to new heights down the zip line (at a solid 30 miles per hour for over 200 yards) or are excited to learn how to repel off the block of the tower – this is the new place at camp to challenge yourself and embark on exhilarating adventures.
Not to mention – unlike the old course – these new adventures will happen in the “Inner 40”, in the main part of camp. No major schlep to get to the ropes course. You can even see right into the pool from the top of the tower. In fact, you can actually see all the way into the riding arenas, because the tower tops out at just under forty-five feet! And, when you soar down the zip line next to your best friend, you can see the iconic gate at the front of camp.
One of the exciting new features on this course is the static belay system – this is where the participant is connected directly into the course. Instead of staff being on the ground, they will be in the air right alongside the campers to assist and encourage them as they defy their limits up in the air.
Safety has come a long way since the old days of “Don’t disconnect the red clip unless the blue clip is attached!” The participants now clip in using Smart Snap devices; participants cannot unclip themselves without the key of a staff member. They will be able to do a full lap of the course while staying clipped in the whole time. There’s a training area on the ground to help familiarize them with the equipment so they can feel as secure as possible before going up the course to adventure.
We will also be transitioning to the use of full body harnesses for all participants at height – as secure as secure can be. This lets us do some neat elements, like climbing a horizontal climbing wall, or going across on a surfboard. It is going to be some serious mind over matter – very much so looking forward to sharing it with our campers this summer.
Lastly, a big thank you from our team, our ropes course staff, and our entire camp community, to the folks at the Sturm Family and Realty Management Group, for making this dream of ours a reality. We are looking forward to the dream being realized when we get kids up in the air and onto the course.
We are so excited to see you all at camp this summer so that we can soar to new heights together.
Climb on, friends.