Learning The Ropes

The tiny climber hardly noticed the cool raindrops hitting her cheeks as she climbed swiftly, peg by peg, up the trunk of the old tree. In one swift step, she released the last peg and planted both feet upon a tight rope extended between two sturdy oaks, planted about 20 feet apart. There she stood, beneath a beautiful canopy of trees: motionless. Her gaze was fixed on a navy blue bandanna, dangling at the opposite end of the rope. From the ground, reaching that object looked easy; from the opposite end of that rope high above the forest floor, the journey seemed significantly more challenging.

She moved one shaky step at a time as her classmates watched, eyes wide. With every step, they cheered. With every waiver, they held their breath. It was as if their gaze somehow kept her moving, steady. It was not a perfect journey. She looked down, and became afraid. She missed the rope, and leaned back. All the while, her friends cheered and clapped and egged her on. At one point in the middle of her journey she said, "I can't do it," and they told her, "you can!" Until finally, she made it, and was able to let go.

This month, Ursuline Academy's 7th and 9th grade students put on their play clothes and headed to Westwood's Hale Reservation for a unique team-building excursion: a one day interactive ropes course program which encourages students to learn more about their classmates, and themselves.

Since grade seven students are starting fresh, and this year's freshman class welcomed a large number of new students, Ursuline's Director of Guidance Mary Ferrucci thought that these two groups would benefit from a day of team-building exercises, as they prepare to work together in a classroom setting. "My goal is to provide an atmosphere outside of the school walls where students can challenge themselves, support and encourage their classmates."

Before setting out for a long day of outdoor excursions, each class split up into small teams. One student commented that this division of the large group made her experience more dynamic because it gave her the opportunity to "make new friends" outside of her regular circle. According to their follow-up evaluations of the field trip, many students shared this sentiment.

The small groups took part in various ropes challenges, problem solving scenarios, and even a few games for good measure. While one team worked to maneuver their way through a maze of wooden planks, another cheered on their teammate balancing high above the ground on a wet log. "Group encouragement is a very important part of this aspect of high ropes," according to Hale's philosophy, " and although an individual may be the one actually climbing, groups often feel a real shared level of success as individuals overcome fears and challenges."

Along with team-building exercises, each student got an opportunity to test her limits on the ropes course. After learning the basics from their experienced team leaders, each student took the opportunity to harness-up and hit the tree tops. "Everyone set their own goal," one student recalled, "some made it all the way and some only went to the top of the ladder." The goal of the exercise was not to reach the other end of the course, but to work toward a new goal!

While the exercises were simple by design, each created opportunities for those leaders of the group to emerge, while others worked productively as followers. One seventh grade student commented that one of the most important things she learned from the experiences was that her classmates each have "different strengths and weaknesses."

Ursuline's adventurous students returned from the wilderness with a better understanding of not only their own abilities, but also those of the classmates they work closely with each day. Some made new friends, others found new strengths and the group as a whole left with a new feeling of class unity, says Mrs. Ferrucci. "At the end of the day, this one shared experience creates a unique memory they can all share."

Click Here To See Photos!     7th Grade Trip     9th Grade Trip