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Coordinator:
Carla Hacker
608-204-6895

 

Ropes Course
The MMSD Stress/Challenge program provides programming on two ropes courses in the Madison area. The School Forest Ropes Course is located deep in the MMSD Bud Jackson School Forest near Verona, WI. The nine acre course was built in 1989 by Project Adventure, Inc. The Kennedy ropes course is behind Kennedy Elementary School on the east side of Madison.. It is a universal course, designed to provide access to participant of all abilities. The high elements course is a pole course and the low elements are built in an adjoining forest. It was built by ABEE, Inc. in 2007. If you would like to make arrangements for your group/class, call Carla Hacker, the Stress Challenge Coordinator (204-6895), or fill out the Reservation Request form. See also Forms to Download below. Currently the MMSD ropes courses are only available to MMSD students and staff. In the future the Kennedy course may be available for use by groups outside the Madison schools. If your group is not part of the Madison schools, continue to check the website for reservation information.

Low Ropes Course

The Low Ropes course is designed to challenge groups to work together through a sequence of unique problem solving initiatives. These initiatives create an environment to help participants work on specific goals and socialization skills. Some of the low elements include:

  • All Aboard
  • Islands
  • Meat Grinder
  • Mohawk Traverse
  • Nitro Crossing (Prouty's Landing)
  • Tension Traverse
  • Marshmallows
  • Spiders Web
  • Trolleys
  • Trust Fall
  • Whale Watch
  • The Wall
  • The Zig Zag

Reservations: call Carla Hacker, the Stress Challenge Coordinator (204-6895), or fill out the Reservation Request form.

High Ropes Course

Ascending 25-45 feet into the trees or poles, the high ropes course includes elements designed to give individuals the opportunity to challenge themselves with the support and encouragement of the group. The experience includes instruction on climbing harnesses, an introduction to the climbing system, personal goal setting, and the opportunity to try a variety of thrilling challenges. This experience concludes with an opportunity for participants to reflect on their accomplishments and challenges, and what lessons they will take home. High elements include:

  • Burma Bridge (School Forest)
  • Cat Walk (both courses)
  • Centipede (School Forest)
  • High Inclined Log (School Forest)
  • Hour Glass (School Forest)
  • Multivine Traverse (both courses)
  • Pole Jump (trapese)
  • Tired Two Line (School Forest)
  • Two Line Bridge (both courses)
  • Zip Line (both courses)
  • Flying Squirrel (Kennedy)
  • Giant Swing (Kennedy)
  • Floating Islands (Kennedy)
  • Team Beams (Kennedy)
  • Vertical Playpen (Kennedy)
  • Climbing Tower (Kennedy)
  • Giant's Ladder (Kennedy)

Reservations: call Carla Hacker, the Stress Challenge Coordinator (204-6895), or fill out the Reservation Request form.

Forms and Information to Download

(PDF Forms)

Adult Participant Waiver (adult-participant-waiver.pdf)

Ropes Course Parent Letter (ropes-parent-letter.pdf)

Directions to the Ropes Course (directions-ropes.pdf)

Ropes Course Logistics [info you will need for your visit] (ropes-logistics.pdf)

Ropes Course Evaluation Form for Students (ropes-student-eval.pdf)

Ropes Course Evaluation Form for Adults/Teachers (ropes-adult-eval.pdf)

Spanish Ropes Course Letter & Permission Slip (Español): 
spanish-ropes-letter.pdf (PDF file)

Hmong Ropes Course Letter & Permission Slip: 
hmong-ropes-letter.pdf (PDF file)

Your comments, questions, and feedback are welcome.
Publisher: Geoff Holt gholt@madison.k12.wi.us
MMSD Webmaster: webmaster@madison.k12.wi.us
Updated September 23, 2007