Scott Gilbert Challenge Course
Northwestern Middle School
T-shirt
$10
See Mrs. Robbins
Snacks
Expectations Checklist
Student
Assignment
Sheet
The Scott Gilbert Challenge course was created in 2003 after the passing of a beloved teacher, Scott Gilbert. It since has grown into an invaluable experience that each 7th grader has had the opportunity to experience.
What is a challenge course? It is an outdoor obstacle course compromised of low and high elements which challenge the mind and the body. Students learn how trust, support and work together toward a common goal. The perception of risk enables students to reach beyond their comfort zones, rely on others, gain self-confidence and overcome fears. During a variety of tasks, student’s strengths emerge, giving everyone a chance to become equal, valued and a member of a team.
The low elements are those obstacles which are “low” to the ground. They consist of activities such as the trust fall, whale watch, triangle traverse, Mohawk walk, and the animal call. All activities are designed for students to begin to learn the basic elements of teamwork and communication, whether it be verbal, or nonverbal. Most importantly, facilitators are teaching and applying the 5 aspects of safety to prepare students to take on the high elements.
High elements are those which take place 20-35 feet in the air. Students are challenged and success is measured by choice. Elements are “failure free” in that students choose which elements that they would like to try and are fully supported, mentally and physically by the team. Elements include the catwalk and zip line. Student’ safety is ensured by 2 trained facilitators at all times. Students are also connected to a series of cables attached to their harnesses, as well as being connected to a facilitator at all times.
Northwestern is a school of excellence, and the challenge course is another aspect which sets our school apart from others. The challenge course is a tool to help build respectful citizens and people, not just a “student”. It is a free activity and is offered to ALL 7th grade students regardless of grades, behavior, financial circumstances or athletic ability. It is truly an outdoor classroom where the learning extends beyond books and teachers and becomes a place where students learn lessons such as:
- Builds self confidence
- respecting diversity
- seeing the “good” in everyone
- build relationships which would normally never have a chance to grow
- encountering 100% success and that success being recognized by his/her teamwork
- and ……helps bullying…….
