COPE & Climbing

Challenge Course - Climbing - Book a Group - Instructor Training - Resources - Events

COPE COURSE

Lake Erie Council has two COPE (Challenge) Courses, one each at Firelands Scout Reservation, and Beaumont Scout Reservation. The Challenge Course is a program for youths age 13+ or who have completed eighth grade and adults that includes a series of outdoor challenges — beginning with basic group initiative games and progressing to more complicated low-course and high-course activities. Some of these events involve a group effort while others test individual skills and agility. Participants climb, swing, balance, jump and think through solutions to a variety of challenges. Most participants find that they can do much more than they initially thought they could.

There are eight major goals of the Challenge Course:

1. Leadership development

2. Problem solving

3. Communication

4. Self-esteem

5. Trust

6. Decision-making

7. Teamwork

8. Planning

9. (and have FUN!)

The low course consists of group initiative games and events, which help participants learn to work together using communication and trust to achieve their goals. While individual coordination and strength are helpful, participants accomplish the low-course events with the support and combined efforts of their team.

The high course is an individual exercise and builds self-esteem. It is conducted 30 feet in the air and allows the participant to challenge themself to become more aware of individual strengths and limitations. Every participant on the course wears a harness connected to a safety line.

Our Challenge Courses provide an opportunity for each participant to achieve success as an individual and as a member of a patrol or team. The events are not designed to be competitive or to be races against time. The more important objectives include building confidence, developing leadership skills and attaining a sense of common cooperation among team members.

The Sizzler

Beaumont Scout Reservation also features The Sizzler, a two-person racing zip line. Enjoy speeding down over 1000 feet of cable as you cross Lake Klein!

Lake Erie Council provides qualified instructors to facilitate your group’s program. If you are interested in becoming a qualified instructor, you can learn more here.

Climbing & RAPPELLING

Climbing Tower

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb to the top of a mountain, or rappel down a rope from the heights of treetops? The skills that you will learn here are the basics that every expert climber had to master when they first started to climb and rappel.

Climbing Towers are available to Scouts, Venturers and Explorers at Beaumont Scout Reservation and Firelands Scout Reservation.

Troops looking to earn the Climbing Merit Badge can book the tower for a private merit badge lesson.

Mobile Climbing Wall

Lake Erie Council offers two mobile climbing towers for Units to use for their program and recruitment efforts. The towers can be rented and transported to your area for local use. Facilitation of the mobile climbing walls can be done by your Unit Leaders who have passed our Mobile Wall Facilitator Training, or you can request a Council facilitator to transport and run the event. Learn more and request a reservation on the mobile climbing wall resource page.

Natural Rock Climbing

Ready for something more advanced? Experience the thrill of peering over the edge of cliffs and get your hands on some natural rock at Whipps Ledges. Units following the Guide to Safe Scouting and Climb On Safely can run their own Rock Climbing programs with qualified instructors.

Rates & Booking

Up to 6 hours of adventure!

Build your perfect event of the high ropes course, ground challenge course, rock climbing (including working on the Climbing Merit Badge), or any combination at either Beaumont or Firelands.

Note that we default to the youth pricing for mixed groups that are a majority youth.

How to Book

1. Check the schedule for available dates, then use the form above to provide details.

2. Lake Erie Council will reach out to our COPE/Climbing Instructors to secure adequate supervision.

3. Lake Erie Council will contact the Unit to confirm date and instructors, and invoice for cost of program.

4. Group makes minimum payment prior to attending the event.

5. Instructors work with Group Leader to develop a program appropriate to Group’s goals.

6. Group attends COPE/Climbing program.

7. Within 5 business days of the event, the Group pays the balance if needed.

Updated September 2020

Instructor Training

Our COPE/Climbing Instructors love the high life and soaring to new heights! Be part of the fun and dynamic instructor team that pushes our participants to learn leadership, teamwork, and to challenge themselves outside their comfort zone.

COPE & Climbing Level I Instructor (18+ Years of Age)

Level I Instructors are competent persons who are capable of running the program under routine, familiar conditions, but may require guidance, assistance, or supervision when something unexpected occurs. In this course you will learn the foundational and skills for both the Challenge Course and Climbing.

Level II Climbing Instructor (21+ years of age)

Level II Instructors are qualified persons who are able to effectively supervise the climbing program when unusual or non-routine situations occur, and can provide guidance to the rest of the climbing staff who are working the program activity.

Level II COPE Instructor (21+ years of age)

Level II Instructors are qualified persons who are able to effectively supervise the COPE program when unusual or non-routine situations occur, and can provide guidance to the rest of the COPE staff who are working the program activity.

The next Level 2 Training Dates are To Be Decided.

Resources

• Lake Erie Council COPE & Climbing Committee

  • Contact the Committee

• National COPE & Climbing Webpage

• Climbing Merit Badge

• Climbing Knots

• Climb On Safely