2008 Woodie Awards
SLI members learn trust through teamwork
Dale Holle
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
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Even though students resembled a bunch of kids on monkey bars, there was purpose to what seemed like madness.
Joy Arndt, director of Student Programs and Resources, said the ropes challenge course has been an activity of SLI since the beginning of the program. In the past, it was part of an overnight retreat.
Typically the ropes course challenge is offered once in an academic year.
"I would love to have more students participate," Arndt said.
A ropes challenge is a team building experience designed to build and maintain confidence, Arndt said. This program replaces the negative with the positive, thus creating a stronger, more efficient and cohesive team.
Vanessa Tapia, Brookhaven Student Government Association president who attended the challenge, said with each ropes challenge she learns how to more effectively work as a team member and leader.
Caleb Collins, ropes challenge instructor, took the SLI team members through a series of exercises, which forced participants to think outside the box. Despite fear and occasional frustration, the team appeared to be having a blast, he said.
Collins said students should participate in a ropes challenge because it helps team members build on strengths, it minimizes their weaknesses and helps manage differences in the group.
Collins said he witnessed the group push through some frustrations and give up a little personal control to find solutions as a group.
"A lot of people faced some of their fears and with the help of the group overcame them," Collins said. "I really feel like the group came together and gelled very well through the afternoon session and had a lot of fun getting to know their peers better. I had a wonderful time working with them."
All participants put on harnesses and climbed about 20 feet up to a series of platforms. There were a variety of courses ranging from walking the tight-rope and catwalk, rappelling and leaping from a platform to a bar similar to the leap of faith from the "Indiana Jones" movie.
The leap of faith required team members to climb a straight pole about 17 feet high, stand on top and leap eight feet to catch a giant trapeze bar attached to the ceiling. Querisha Felix-Alvira, business sophomore, was the first of three students to take the leap.
Jeffery Mathew, another participant, said: "The activities that we did were completely entertaining as well as a good learning experience. I understood how to practically apply leadership skills in real life. Everything was absolutely wonderful, I loved it. Given the opportunity to do so, I'll do it again."
Group Dynamix is located at 1215 Trend Drive in Carrollton. Collins said all activities are conducted in a safe and controlled environment, implementing safety harnesses, leads and instructors.
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