The Kennedy Challenge Course was recently dedicated. The ropes course provides challenges for all students, regardless of ability. Paid for out of a three-year, $1.5 million federal phy-ed grant, the course is an outdoor classroom that encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and use teamwork, problem-solving skills and collaboration to overcome a challenge — all important skills that transfer to the classroom.

The ropes course is a component of the Stress/Challenge program, developed in the early 1980s by Pete Albert and Laurie Frank. It is a Madison Metropolitan School District experiential and adventure education program that provides direct service to 4,000-5,000 MMSD students per year with challenge course programming, caving in a natural cave, rock climbing and classroom-based activities in schools. In addition, the program offers a variety of professional development opportunities for MMSD staff and provides district-wide program support to schools with challenge courses or other adventure or experiential programming.