My North Dakota Adventure

Recently I found myself in the woods near Bismarck, ND. You might be wondering, what was she doing in Bismarck, ND? Well, I was there for a high adventure youth summer program. And let me tell you, it was an adventure!

The first two days at this three day camp was a high and low ropes course called the “Circle of Courage” challenge course. This course is located just outside Bismarck, ND.

The morning we got there, the kids started arriving around 9:00 AM to check in. By 10:00 AM, we got all 20 girls checked in and settled. Then the facilitator (Adura) went over the “five finger contract” – the rules of our time there together. We always set ground rules at youth events, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen ground rules set in this way. Audra had the girls hold out their hands in front of them and told them this:

“Thumbs up!” Positive attitude
First finger extended, pointing – get all of the finger pointing out of the way, no blaming or finger pointing; take responsibility for your actions
Middle finger, don’t hold it up – no insults
Ring finger – symbolizes commitment, willingness to let things go and not hold grudges
Pinky finger, safety – most vulnerable finger

Amazing! An interactive, short and fun way to set ground rules with teenagers!

And that was not even the beginning of our adventure!

For the rest of the morning, Audra had the girls play games to get to know each other. Right before lunch, she split the group into two teams and handed each team a large rope with many knots in it. Each participant had to grab on to the ropes with both hands. The group had to work together to untie the ropes without letting go. It took them a long time – but it was amazing to see the teamwork.

After a lunch they headed over the low ropes course. When we go to the destination, we found four trees each spaced quite a few feet apart with a wire strung between them. The girls were challenged to get their entire group across the wire to the last tree with only 5 ground touches (as a group). They were given a large rope to use however they wanted and two hula hoops to use to create areas of “safety” where they could touch the ground without penalty.

It took them a long time but they figured it out. One kid climbed on the wire and walked to the first tree, taking the rope along with her and tying it to the tree. The participants used the rope to balance as they walked across the wire. Little by little, five kids made it on to the first wire. Then first girl again walked across to the second tree, taking the rope with her. This continued until the entire group made it across! It was so great to watch them, working together.

The next challenge was the high ropes course. The kids were challenged to climb a ladder in groups of two. The ladder was about four large rungs held together by rope – it swayed back and forth as the kids landed on each rung. Each participant was outfitted with safety gear. A helmet and a harness. When it was a pair’s turn, they were hooked into the safety ropes. It’s amazing what these kids can do, they were so brave! I heard one story about a participant getting to the top and cheering a reluctant friend on. She was telling her “Don’t look down – look at me! You can do it!” Amazing.

Unfortunately, I had to head back home before the end of the program, so this was the extent of my adventure. On day three, the girls hopped in canoes and floated down the Missouri river. Oh well, maybe next year!