Located behind UTEP Student Recreation Center’s, stands an impressive wooden structure that is part of the recreational sports department’s “Leadership Challenge Course” program.
The recreation center’s challenge course is a program designed to help teams take an intentional look at group dynamics. Throughout the course participants work on teamwork, communication, planning and organization.
Alicia Coltrane, assistant director of the Outdoor Adventure Program for the Recreational Department, finds the course to be a learning experience for teams and groups who participate.
“Participants can expect a challenging course to foster teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills through activities,” Coltrane said. “Participants can expect to learn valuable information about themselves, each other, and the group as a unit, while also promoting confidence and a sense of accomplishment.”
The course is divided into two separate parts for a day. Groups can participate in either a full day of the leadership course, which is comprised of two team building activities, or can sign up for a shortened version consisting only of one activity.
Part one of the challenge course is the team building challenge initiatives and part two is the high ropes course which is located behind the recreation center.
While participating in the activities, groups will explore different communication styles as well as see how different decisions are made for the group’s success.
In the team building activities individuals within the group will be required to take on guidance roles and explore styles of leadership.
Through these leadership roles participants in the group will also evaluate how their own leadership style affects the team as a whole.
Following the team building initiatives, groups then move on to the second portion of the challenge course, the high ropes area. Participants will climb to great heights while being supported by the rest of their group both verbally and physically. The main goal of the high ropes course is building trust within the group.
Teamwork and communication introduced during the first section of the challenge course are put into practice in the high ropes section. Prior to climbing the wooden structures, recreation center employees instruct group members on proper safety instructions ensuring that all participants enjoy themselves in a secure environment.
By the end of the recreational sports department’s leadership challenge course, the program aims for participants to know the difference between the terms leadership and management.
The course will aid groups in improving team-building skills, trust and belonging within the group. Finally, the challenge course will help individuals feel comfortable with voicing concerns and overall communication throughout the group.
Student supervisor at the recreation center Christian Garza has seen firsthand the positives participants leave with after completing the course.
“It really promotes team building and it promotes working together to accomplish a goal,” Garza said. “A lot of participants are pleased with what they get out of the whole challenge course. People come in here and they’re scared of heights, or they struggle with trusting equipment or trusting each other.”
For students, groups and organizations interested in participating in the Student Recreation Center’s leadership challenge course, more information can be found at the recreational sports departments website.
Joseph Montero is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected].
