Challenge Discovery is a team building organization that specializes in helping students build relationships, improve self-esteem, and support each other to become part of a team. The organization is located on the University of Richmond’s campus and includes a two-level high ropes challenge course and multiple low ropes events that are installed in the ground.
Their programs provide great opportunities for students and teachers to step out of their comfort zones by trying things they could not have imagined. They work with a variety of different groups including specialty centers, leadership programs, mentoring programs, sports teams, and entire grade levels.
“We send about 250 to 270 students a year,” Matoaca Middle School Physical Education Teacher Monica Mench said. “We go over three days and take about 90 students each day.”
The Matoaca Middle School students from both campuses learn team building first and then take to the ropes, which takes some fearlessness and organization among the students who must depend on each other. Mench said it also fits the SOL requirements.
“It makes them realize that the person that they typically rely on in a certain situation; when they’re put in a different situation that they have never been in before they don’t know how they’re going to respond, react or how their nerves are going to feel,” Mench said
The field trips to Challenge Discovery have been going on for four years and PE teacher Mench said she has been involved for one year but called the program “awesome.”
“We have many clients that come from Chesterfield County. In fact, one of our biggest and most loyal clients is the PE department from Matoaca Middle School. We also work frequently with Harold Saunders, the Director of Professional Development in Chesterfield County, to create programs for many of the teachers and staff at the many different middle schools and high schools in the area,” said Sarah Davenport, Program Manager for Challenge.
Mench said, “The cost per student, including buses, is $40, but we never have a problem. It takes about four days to fill up.” The schedule on the Challenge Discover side could be a little more challenging. Mench works to organize the trip (which travel time is about an hour) at the beginning of the school year, gives them a couple of dates so her classes can be scheduled.
According to Davenport, “In addition to the UR location, Challenge Discovery offers TeamMobile programs at school locations. If students or faculty are not able to come to our Richmond facility, there are activities, equipment, and most importantly, experienced facilitators, to deliver a meaningful program at a preferred location.”
Challenge Discovery also offers a program called Teaming the Teachers. This is a program specifically designed for all educators including teachers, faculty, and staff at a school. All programs are created specifically for each group’s needs and customized based on goals for the program.
“At this time of year, things are picking up and our weeks are getting more active. That said, we’re hiring facilitators. We are hoping to find a group of enthusiastic and inspiring individuals that are interested in helping youth to grow. Facilitators must be 21 years old and go through 40-plus hours of training in a one-week training class. The next training class is in June. It is a packed week of learning, team building, and fun,” said Davenport.
For more information on Challenge Discovery check their website at www.challengediscovery.com.
