Camp Ewalu’s Challenge Courses are set among the trees and rock outcroppings of the beautiful Maquoketa River valley. Teamwork, communication, and trust are strongly emphasized within the group during a day on Ewalu’s Ropes Challenge Course. Each activity encourages listening and leadership skills as well as drawing on the obligations and strengths of each member of the group.
The ropes courses are made up of a series of activities that make use of trees, platforms, cables, walls, ladders, and ropes. The activities range in height from ground level up to 40 feet. Each activity invites an individual or group of participants to experience different levels of success. The method of negotiation and the ultimate goal of each activity varies greatly. Consequently, the sequence of activities in a given afternoon on the course will vary depending on the needs of the group.
Low Ropes Course
The focus is on team building, creative problem solving, interdependence, communication, and trust. Groups work within boundaries and safety guidelines set up and monitored by facilitators.
Activities include: All Aboard, Swinging Log, Tension Traverse, Spider Web, River Walk, Mountain Games, Toxic Waste, and Giant Skis.
High Ropes Course
Located 25-40 feet up in Ewalu’s treetops, the focus is on individual achievement, self-confidence, and personal awareness.
Activities include Zip Line, Leap of Faith, Climbing Tower, and the Cooperative Wall.
Rock Climbing
Ewalu also offers rock climbing at Backbone State Park, located just eight miles from camp. Participants learn beginning and intermediate rock climbing skills on limestone rock faces 40-80 feet high. If you’re interested in booking an outing for a private group, contact Camp Ewalu. During our summer programming, campers in the Leadership Training (LT) program or Pack and Paddle program are able to experience rock climbing at Backbone State Park. Ewalu also offers rock climbing at Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin as part of our summer program for our Rock and Raft campers.
Safety First
The construction, safety systems, and management procedures followed are of state-of-the-art quality. These standards meet or exceed requirements set by professional ropes course builders and rock climbers from across the country. At no time is a participant in a situation where specialized safety measures are not in place. All aspects of the course including equipment, safety inspections, and facilitator certification are approved by Challenge Options/Beyond Ropes, a professional ropes course building company.
Registration
The Challenge Course is available year-round to any group of adults or youth age 9 or older. There is a minimum group size of 10 participants for rope course and rock climbing activities. Group size is limited to 15 per facilitator. For groups over 30, two weeks’ advance notice is required. All activities are weather and safety dependent. Contact Camp Ewalu for availability by emailing Maury Landt, environmental education director, or call 563-933-4700.
Download a release form at this link.
Contact us for rates and available dates. *School groups receive a discount per student.
