The New Horizons Ropes Adventure Course was constructed in 1991 on the Lynchburg College Campus. Nestled among tulip poplars, the New Horizons Adventure Course provides a wilderness feel just fifteen minutes from downtown Lynchburg. Our outdoor classroom provides a wide range of teaching opportunities and experiences for your corporate or youth group.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Horizons Adventure Programs
What is Experiential Education?
Experiential education is an educational philosophy where experience is the basis of learning. Our staff do not lecture on topics of leadership or teamwork, rather they facilitate challenges and activities for the group and then lead them in discussion. During those discussions, students learn by sharing their reactions, identifying successful behaviors, and using their collective insight to improve their performance.
What is an Adventure Course?
An adventure course is a classroom, a laboratory of teamwork and leadership. The common perception of an Adventure Course is a series of physical activities, climbing walls, zip-lines, and other daring challenges high off the ground. Although this is often true, adventure courses may also include field games and activities that can be performed indoors or in a traditional classroom. While most activities have a physical component, most are far more mentally challenging than they are physically.
Is an Adventure Course dangerous?
In a word, yes. To say that an adventure course is safe would be just as misleading as saying any physical activity is safe. To say that adventure course programs are safer than baseball, soccer, football, or jogging would, however, be an accurate statement. The most dangerous activity on the New Horizons Adventure Course (based on actual injury reports) is an activity called Tag.
What ages can use the Adventure Course?
The New Horizons Adventure Course has had participants ranging from 6 to 76.
How physically demanding is the Adventure Course?
The physical challenge of your New Horizons Adventure Course program is based on the physical aptitude of your group. High school and college athletic teams usually prefer activities that are on the higher end of physical challenge. The rest of us prefer things a little easier. If your group has any physical limitations (weight, pre-existing injury, heart conditions, wheelchair needs, etc.), please notify us in advance so we can plan a day that will be enjoyable for everyone.
What philosophies do you follow on the Adventure Course?
On the New Horizons Adventure Course we hold to two philosophies, the Full Value Contract and Challenge By Choice.
The Full Value Contract asks all participants to Be Here, Be Safe, and Be Honest. If we are going to have an enjoyable and positive day together, we need to respect ourselves, each other, and the group as a whole.
Challenge by Choice acknowledges that we all have different levels of comfort with different challenges. Some folks may have no problem with being blindfolded, while being terrified by the idea of being up off the ground. All we ask is that you step out of your “comfort zone” and give things a try. If you feel very uncomfortable, however, you are invited to step back and look for alternative ways to participate and help the group. By being supportive and respecting each other’s limitations, we have a much better chance of enjoying our day together on the New Horizons Adventure Course.
Trust Platform (Fall from Height):
A classic challenge that has been the foundation of so many great programs, the Trust Fall Platforms, are the last part of the Trust Fall Sequence. Or then again, it may be the first step in your group’s journey together.
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Electric Fence:
Get your group up and over this electric fence (electricity not included) or ZZZAAAPPP!!!!
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Mohawk Walk:
“Balancing precariously on the thin cable, Dr. Jones sways back and forth over the pit of bubbling lava. In the distance, glistening in the morning sun rests his prize, the legendary Rubber Chicken of the ancient Aztec Empire” - from the unpublished (and unwritten) upcoming adventure, Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Rubber Chicken.
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Nitro Crossing:
An outbreak of the common cold has struck your hometown and only you can save the community from a case of sniffles and sneezes that could last for DAYS!!! Can your team cross the raging river with Grandma’s Rubber Chicken Soup and rescue the villagers?
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Spider's Web:
Your casual hike through the woods has just gotten intense as the Giant James River Spider has chased you towards its lair. Carefully maneuver yourself through his web or you’ll be lunch! Come by to checkout our NEW third dimension of this element, or "Maybe we should start on the inside and work our way out?"
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Tension Traverse:
It’s the New Horizons Barn Dance!
“Shake to the left and shake to the right,
Switch with your partner and dance all night!” (Barn and fiddle player not included)
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Wild Woozey:
"Lean on Me" gains a whole new meaning as you and your partner form your own Arc de Triomphe!
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Tire Traverse:
Tarzan may meet his match in our little jungle playground. It's just like your classic tire swing except there are six of 'em! "Hey, this is a lot more challenging than it looks."
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The Wall:
Plain and simple, get over the wall. But how are we going to get the last guy up?
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T. P. (Telephone Pole) Shuffle:
Walking on a balance beam isn't too hard, but have you ever tried to climb over someone on it?
Jacob's Ladder (Fidgit Ladder):
This challenge was once used to train knights for balance. Now you can see if you have what it takes to join the Round Table.
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Leap for Life:
It's not a high jump, it's not a long jump, this is a LEAP FOR LIFE!! Forty feet up this initiative is one of the most challenging around!
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High Complex:
Choose your route through our high complex as you ascend up to forty feet in the trees. Balance, hang, crawl, and swing your way to the zip platform, and then “fly” back to the earth!
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Zip Line:
Strap into our zip line after climbing through the high ropes complex for an exciting descent back to the ground!
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Paul Stern, M. Ed., Coordinator
New Horizons Outdoor Adventure and Leadership Programs
Registration / Contact Information:
Across from OSA in Hundley Hall
Terrace Level #3
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone: 434/544-8224
Fax: 434/544-8548
newhorizons@lynchburg.edu