The
following article appeared in the Wednesday, October 3rd
edition of the Register
New adventure program offered at Randall
Boys and Girls Club
If you're seeking an adventure
that's thrilling, challenging and fun for all ages, Andrew
Brower can show you the ropes.
Brower, the new Adventure Coordinator at
the Randall Boys and Girls Club, has, for the past eight
months, turned the club's high ropes challenge course into
both an educational and recreational success. The ropes course
contains eight different elements including the "centipede,"
the "firecracker ladder" and a high balance beam.
While his main participants are students
involved in the after school program and summer camps, Brower
said he also attracts local families for birthday parties,
corporate groups and youth-at-risk programs. Brower said he is
able to accommodate to each group accordingly. The course can
be modified to address the interests and goals of each group.
"Some people want mostly on-ground, self-esteem building
exercises," he said. "For the youth programs, that struggle
with group dynamics, it can be more therapeutic." Brower also
said a great way to expand the team-building experience is to
include what he calls "trust activities." He pointed out
an area of the ropes course called the "dangle duo," which
requires two people to assist each other in order to complete
the challenge. Of course, for some it is purely recreational.
Brower said he can boost the challenge level with the more
experienced participants. He allows them to blindfold
themselves or attempt the course using one hand only, for
example. The high ropes course, which is located inside the
gymnasium, sounds and even looks like a risky activity, yet
Brower, who is specially certified to ensure safety in all
aspects of the program, insists the most dangerous part of the
participant's day is driving home. "The challenge course's
greatest ability is increasing the perceived risk while
decreasing the actual risk," said Brower. "My first approach
with each group is focusing in on the safety aspect. The
second approach is to create a fun experience, and the third
approach is the learning aspect." Before participants begin, a
cord is attached directly to a harness worn by Brower, fed
through a pulley system and attached to the participant's
harness. If a person happens to lose his footing during the
challenge, this safety system prevents the participant from
falling to the floor.
In addition to the high ropes course,
Brower, who earned a degree in adventure education from Unity
College, uses his seven years of experience with challenge
courses and his creativity to develop more innovative programs
for the center. Beginning in October, the club will host a new
kayaking program. It is geared specifically toward novices who
are interested in learning the basics of paddling and safety
techniques, including performing exits from the kayak. The
program will take place in the Randall Boys and Girls Club
pool. "That way it promotes a more controlled environment,"
said Brower. "The future plan is to do some outdoor paddling
as well." Brower said the program is affordable and open to
people of all ages. He said the more people begin to show
interest, the more he will be able to build the program. Other
future programs he hopes to establish to enhance the adventure
learning curriculum are a rock climbing program and a hiking
and backpacking program. "I'm hoping to be able to bring in a
lot of my other experiences," he said.
Meanwhile, Brower is hard at work planning
and meeting with other club members, listening to all the
different ideas they. The challenge course also continues to
keep him busy. "Its really rewarding to see how participants
develop out of the program," Brower said. "Its very exciting
to be around."
For those who are interested in
joining in on the excitement, Brower recommends taking a trip
to the center to try out the ropes course. Now is also the
time to register for the new kayaking program.
By Katie Breault
kbreault@turley.com
