Auburn student and faculty members can set a course for adventure at the Auburn University Challenge Course.
Laura Herring, the course coordinator said the course was created with the Auburn community in mind.
"Auburn has priority over the course," Herring said.
Herring said the Auburn course is different than other challenge courses because it has activities that strive for teambuilding and individual success, both of which are new to the industry.
Located just off of North College Street, Auburn's challenge course offers a static course for independent work and other high elements that encourage teamwork by requiring team members on the ground to assist the person who is harnessed in the air. Although the course is offered to everyone, high ropes participants must be 12 years or older.
Herring said the course also has a series of low ropes for people of all ages with plans for addition of new elements soon.
They are currently preparing to add a series of new low ropes elements to the course, Herring said.
The Challenge Course is only open to groups of patrons.
Herring said the course hosts several types of groups. She divides the groups into four categories to determine payment: Auburn students, Auburn faculty and staff, non-profit groups and for-profit groups.
"We've mostly seen college students and faculty," Herring said. "We've also seen corporate businesses, banks, churches and girl scouts. People of all ages."
The course offers special prices for Auburn students at $8 a person for half a day and $20 a person for a full day.
Groups must have at least eight people.
Herring also said they are considering opening the course to students on Dead Day. If students show interest, she said they may offer more open days for students to come.
Lauren Lewis, senior in agriculture business and economics, said going to the challenge course was a relaxing experience because the course is far from the "hustle and bustle."
Lewis said the lake and wooded scenery helped her to escape everyday life and focus on leadership and teamwork.
"It's great having 15 people there to support you," Lewis said. "I'm afraid of heights, but with my teammates there supporting me, I conquered my fear."
Lewis was part of a pilot class started by Donald Mulvaney, professor in the College of Agriculture.
The class focused on teambuilding and helped students become more confident as facilitators.
The class also tested the different elements on the course to ensure that learning would occur.
"I was involved in the construction and evolution of the course, and I realized that we would need potential employees," Mulvaney said. "We needed employees that were properly trained to add an extra safety measure."
Employees of the course are typically Auburn students who volunteer at least 50 hours. After volunteering, students may apply for employment.
Mulvaney said he hopes to offer a second course in facilitation that involves the challenge course. He said he plans to target students who are interested in leadership development and want to expand in experiential learning.
To use the course, participants must reserve a day using the course's Web site, www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/adventure.
The required waiver is also on the course Web site.
For additional information or to schedule a group event, call (334) 321-1603.
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