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Campers Met the Low Ropes Challenge
Imagine walking from tree to tree on just a rope with only your fellow Girl Scouts to guide you. That’s what campers did during a session at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg this summer. The camp’s low ropes course is a popular destination for campers. It is a series of challenges, using ropes and obstacles, conducted just a foot or two off the ground. Activities are designed to promote balance, mobility and confidence, accessible to all levels and abilities, and require campers to work as a team to complete the course.
The Mohawk Walk is a favorite of campers. It consists of a series of cables between trees, complete with swings, tethers, logs, hand lines, hanging ropes, and other features that allow each section to focus on different strengths within the group. Participants move along the cables as a unit, helping each other along the way. Girl Scout Ellie L. from Williamsburg said, “Every camper had to walk across the rope from one side to the other without falling or touching the ground. We have to try not to touch the ground. If someone falls then we all fall!”
An activity called Swing Traverse requires campers to move from start to finish on swinging boards extended from two ropes on a line. This is a strenuous challenge, requiring a lot of tenacity and upper body strength to make it across. “The goal was to communicate to fellow campers and use team work,” Girl Scout Cadette Natalie Z. said.
Another part of the course includes the Spider Web challenge where the group has to pass themselves through a web of ropes without touching any part of it, lest they wake up the giant spider! Participants must learn to trust — and be trustworthy — to carefully move everyone to the other side.
Camp Skimino’s facilities are available to rent year-round; learn more and book some time on the challenge course for your group at gsccc.org/rentals.
Want to try the high ropes next? Meet us at The Adventure Park for our next “Hanging Out” event. With 17 treetop trails to explore, these events offer challenges for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Bring a piece of your Girl Scout uniform and receive a special patch!
