Staff Engagement and Camper Outcomes at a Low Ropes Course

The purpose of this study was to explore potential relationships between staff engagement scores and camper outcomes at a low ropes course for youth with serious illnesses. Two measures were created for this study: the Participant Adventure Outcomes Scale measured campers’ personal challenge and teamwork, and the Staff Engagement Observation Rubric was completed by low ropes course facilitators on “auxiliary staff” including volunteers and counselors not directly responsible for facilitating the low ropes course. Results showed no relationships between camper outcomes and auxiliary staff engagement. Implications for the measures and programming are discussed.

Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis

This study reports the results of a meta-analysis of 44 studies that examined the impacts of participation in challenge (ropes) course activities. Overall, a medium standardized mean difference effect size was found (d = 0.43). Effect sizes were calculated for various study characteristics, including demographics and outcome. Higher effects were found for adult groups (d = 0.80) and for studies measuring family functioning (d = 0.67). Studies with therapeutic (d = 0.53) or developmental foci (d = 0.47) had higher effect sizes than those with educational foci (d = 0.17). Higher effect sizes for group effectiveness (d = 0.62) affirmed the use of challenge course experiences for team-building purposes. Implications for further research include the importance of recording detailed program design information, selecting appropriate instrumentation, and including follow-up data.