As I put the finishing touches on the ACCT pre-conference workshop , I went down memory lane on the path that I have taken through challenge courses and corporate teambuildings.   I was first introduced to a challenge course in 1991 when I was working for the Boy Scouts in a camp in Puerto Rico called Guajataca Scout Reservation.  Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) is the name the Boy Scouts gave to the experience that consisted of cables hanging from trees with wooden ladders and other obstacles. Rudimentary beginnings…. But inspiring.  I worked there until 1997, facilitating mostly during the summers and some weekends. 

In 1999, I joined the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School’s Sea Program. They had a challenge course with both dynamic and static elements next to the climbing site, an old quarry.  In every sailing expedition we will spend time at Hurricane Island, doing a half day in the challenge course and half day of rock-climbing among other activities. 

Look for 2 more blog posts (part 2 & 3) in the coming weeks.  Until then…