Solving problems in a group can be especially gratifying as you work to overcome an obstacle that looks impossible. A team-building exercise like a ropes course can not only get a group outside for an afternoon, it can help them understand more about those they live and work with as they solve problems to reach a goal. There are many types of challenges on a ropes course. "Low Elements" happen close to the ground and consist of challenges like getting your entire group from one point to another. During the course of the exercise, the group must work together using their individual strengths and personality traits to get through the obstacles. In the "High Elements," people face individual challenges up to 40 feet off the ground. These can involve such things as walking rope bridges, walking a tightrope and jumping from the top of a telephone pole to grab a trapeze bar. Though the participants are harnessed and on belay lines for safety purposes, it is still a challenge to for them to force themselves to make it through and surpass the goals put out in front of them on this course. Host Marianne Eaton joins Olympian Doug Lewis of Eliteam and members of the VPT staff for a challenging and insightful day on the ropes in Waitsfield.

• Eliteam
• Green Mountain College:
  Geoffrey Leydic Memorial Ropes Course
• Petra Cliffs: Challenge Course

• UVM Outing Club:
  Adventure Ropes Course
• Vermont Leadership Center

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