What is the Casowasco Challenge Program and what does it offer my group?
Through a series of noncompetitive games, trust activities, group initiatives, and individual challenges, participants are encouraged to cooperate, support, trust, and have fun with each other. The program is designed to foster the personal and spiritual growth of an individual - and the group to which they belong.
What is the “challenge”?
To the individual, the element of challenge is provided by what is known as perceived risk. Certain activities have an apparently high degree of emotional or physical danger. No two people will perceive an activity the same way. One person might perceive a trust fall from a platform as “easy”, while another may find it “traumatic”. It is this perceived risk or danger, which provides the necessary groundwork for growth and change.
At the same time that individuals are faced with personal challenges, the groups to which they belong are facing challenges. These trials often stretch groups to become more cooperative, as they must work together to solve problems. Tremendous growth and understanding about groupdynamics often times flow from these group challenges.
Lead-Up Activities
An essential part of our Challenge Program, Lead-Up Activities enable groups to begin to know each other in new ways, work together to solve problems, and build trust between all involved. This part of the program often starts with low stress, fun “ice breakers” and moves to more challenging “trust builders”. All groups move through these elements at their own pace, building up to more challenging activities on the challenge course.
Challenge Course Activities
Our Challenge Program really revolves around our low-ropes course, aptly titled the Challenge Course. Drawing upon skills and lessons learned in the lead-up activities, participants are guided through elements that involve using higher level problem solving, communicating, trusting, cooperating and teamwork.
The Elements:
An element often involves some sort of physical challenge, a dramatic story line, and a challenging problem that can only be solved by the whole groups participation. Each element presents a different challenge and often build on each other to provide a very “real” sense of growth.
Challenge by Choice:
Each participant has a comfort zone, which we encourage them to acknowledge and stretch beyond. Participants should never feel pressured, however.
Safety:
Our facilitators are all trained in providing a safe environment for participants - whether it be in providing spotters for the physical aspects or in guiding discussions to facilitate the emotional well-being of individuals.
Communication:
Communication is a vital component of the overall experience of a group. After each element, the facilitator leads in a discussion called the “debriefing”. Debriefing allows the group to process their experiences, provide constructive feedback, set goals, and note the impact of the
activity. At the end of the program, a final debriefing lets the group bring their time to a close by talking through their experiences.
The Next Step
The Casowasco Challenge Program is available to groups who have booked an overnight retreat, and to groups who want to visit specifically for the challenge program. We can tailor the session to fit your groups needs and goals. To book a session, discuss the possibilities, or to find out more please call us at: 315-364-8756 or e-mail us at: info@casowasco.org
An important note: While Casowasco is open all year round, our Challenge Program is opened seasonally and is weather dependent. Generally we open our challenge course in early spring and close it late-fall.
Casowasco - 158 Casowasco Dr. Moravia, NY 13118 - Phone (315)364-8756 - Fax (315)364-7636 E-Mail: info@casowasco.org
