Rock Wall & Ropes Course

The Rock Wall and Ropes Course (located in the Simms Center) comprises our indoor challenge course here at Wilkes. The courses offers experiential learning opportunities through the use of high elements (roped, in the air), low (close to ground) elements, and our 30 foot indoor rock climbing wall.

The course are open to: Wilkes University students, faculty and staff, local high school students and the greater Wilkes-Barre community.

Some of the benefits of training include improved:

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Goal Setting
  • Problem Solving
  • Leadership
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Trust Building
  • Group Bonding
  • Mentoring
  • Overcoming Personal Fears

High-Rope vs. Low-Rope Events

In general terms, low ropes events lend themselves to more intensive team-building and improved communication, due mainly to the nature of the challenges. High ropes events tend to focus more on individual growth and overcoming adversity, while still in the context of operating as a member of a larger team.

All of our Low Ropes elements offer a variety of mental and physical challenges as well as fun for each individual. Low Ropes elements promote group bonding, trust, teamwork, conflict resolution, communication and problem solving within a group. Typically the groups on low elements range from five to approximately fifteen people.

One of the unique things about the Low Ropes course is that there are a variety of different elements that can be constructed using the same equipment. The challenges can be made skill-specific, depending on the goals of the group. The Low Ropes Course is deceiving since participants are not up in the air like the High Ropes, but in many ways it is just as challenging.

All of our High Ropes elements offer physical and mental challenges. Our High Ropes course is comprised of five elements: the Leap of Faith, Flying Squirrel, Vertical Playpen, Surfer’s Shuffle, and the Giant’s Ladder. Participants are confronted with a series of challenges that test their resolve, problem solving and leadership skills and trust for one another.

Challenges also examine individual and cultural similarities and differences. The course is a great tool for fostering personal and professional development. The facilitators of the Step Up Rock Wall and Ropes Course are Wilkes University staff, faculty and student leaders. Our staff represents diverse backgrounds and experiences that enhance our programming and helps to shape our initiatives, making each experience unique. The staff is trained and certified in belaying and facilitating challenge course elements. As part of their training, the staff must complete all of the low and high elements. Therefore, they know first-hand what challenges may arise, and they have the ability to relate to participants completing the course.

Corporate Training

As an extension of our training, we now offer Corporate Training. We have established relationships with Leadership Wilkes-Barre as well as several other local businesses and non-profits. Corporate Training is an excellent way to develop trust, communication and problem-solving abilities among team members of any business or management level.

We utilize our low and high ropes courses as well as our 30-foot indoor rock climbing wall to immerse groups in challenging situations that require the whole group's participation to find a solution or overcome an obstacle. Each program can be custom tailored to accommodate the goals of your group and all levels of physicality, from mild to wild.

Step Up Corporate Training is an excellent way to develop trust, communication and problem-solving abilities among team members of any businesses at all levels of responsibility.

Our professional student-leaders are trained in group facilitation and dynamics and are supervised by certified, experienced managers.

Past and ongoing clients include:

  • Leadership Wilkes-Barre's Core, Inter-Collegiate and Junior Programs
  • Dallas High School Advisors and Administration
  • C.E.O. Kids Cafe Supervisors
  • Air Force ROTC Reserves Cadets and Officers
  • Several other local businesses and non-profits. 

We are also able to bring our team building programs to your location. By using elements of our low ropes course, we can create similar problem-solving challenges, with the convenience of staying at your place of business.