Vol. 18, No. 35June 24, 1999

Adventure challenge fosters teamwork and communication

Students participate in the human ladder, one part of the Adventure Challenge Experience.

The human ladder was one of the many activities for 150 Christiana High School and Kirk Middle School students who participated in an Adventure Challenge Experience (ACE) at Frazer Field in May. UD students were facilitators for the event, which was the capstone of the school year during which high school students from a school health class acted as mentors for the younger teenagers.

The students all had fun but also learned some important concepts at the same time, according to Roger Spacht, health and exercise sciences, director of ACE. The goals of the ACE program are to encourage participation, team building, responsibility, creativity, trust and learning through adventure.

The students had to cooperate and work together to successfully meet the challenges of a cable walk, blindfold activities, manipulating their way through a rope spider web, tag, balancing and jumping rope games.

Now in its sixth year, ACE is available to businesses, community groups, schools and other organizations. Activities can range from low-level programs to the high-challenge course, which is 20 to 40 feet in the air. Rock climbing is another option.

ACE programs are specifically designed to meet the goals of different groups. Facilitators assist the participants in meeting challenges and relating the activities to the group's objectives, such as problem solving, teamwork and developing communication skills.

For information about ACE, contact Spacht at 831-4261 or by e-mail at <roger.spacht@ mvs.udel.edu>.

-Jack Buxbaum