2014 will bring new and exciting programs to Challenge Discovery.  Although we don’t “officially” re-open our outdoor facility at the University of Richmond until the middle of March, we are working hard putting the finishing touches on some new programming options.  Here is a sneak peek as some of the programs and their content.

Our Transformational Learning program will now have three (3) options:

1. We will continue to offer the program that more than 80% of our clients enjoyed this year which uses the Odyssey Course to promote teamwork skills like communication, collaboration, support for others, trust and personal empowerment.  This is by far our most popular program and will continue to be based on feedback from 2013.  This program utilized one full level of the Odyssey Course (either the upper or lower level).

2.  One of the new programs we will offer is one in which we will only use 1/2 of one level of the Odyssey Course and spend more time on the ground doing “Low Initiatives” or ground-based problem solving exercises.  This program will be perfect for groups that feel like they may have participants that are not interested in spending as much time in the Odyssey Course and want to ensure that the experience is completely inclusive for all participants.

3.  Our third program in the Transformational Learning series is going to consist of entirely “Low Initiatives” or ground-based problem solving exercises. We have created this program primarily for Henrico County Public Schools although anyone can choose this program.

Henrico County Public Schools is the ONLY school system in the area that will not allow it’s students to participate in any kind of “high ropes course” activities.  We have written to the Henrico County Board of Supervisors and met with various school officials to see if this policy could be changed but they have made the decision to continue with the existing policy.  The good news however is that Henrico County Public Schools will allow it’s students to participate in our other programs that are all on the ground like our TeamMobile program that actually goes directly to the schools and works with students and faculty onsite.  We are hopeful that the policy will be changed someday in the future so all students in the Richmond community can benefit from the programs we deliver.  If you would like to support our effort in getting this policy changed, please contact the Division of Risk Management using the information below and reference CHALLENGE DISCOVERY.

Contact Information

Phone: (804) 501-5661
Fax: (804) 501-5663
[email protected]

Office Location:
1590 E. Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23228
(North Run Office Park)

Mailing Address:
Division of Risk Management
County of Henrico
P. O. Box 90775
Henrico, VA 23273

In addition to the adaptations to our Transformational Learning programs, we are also adding a “fitness/wellness” component to our Recreational programs.  Recreational programs generally focus on climbing, we will also discuss and do exercises related to balance, core strength, and understanding how the mind and body work together.  Adding these components will allow participants to “control” involuntary responses to being at height, be better able to manage stress and have a more successful experience in the Odyssey Course.

Finally, we are working to add an optional academic focus to our programs that work to augment the SOLS that many schools are required to meet.  We hope that by adding instructional components related to physics, mathematics, engineering, etc., we will be able to offer new options for school field trips that are relevant, cost effective and local.

As you can see, we have been working hard this winter to make Challenge Discovery even better in 2014.  We hope you will come out and experience our new programs.