If you have questions about Camp Accomplish, please feel free to contact us at 301-870-3226 or email us at RecreationCenter@melwood.org
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The Melwood Recreation Center has a long history of providing quality, safe, innovative, and individualized teambuilding experiences to diverse user groups. With a focus on experiential learning opportunities for participants from teenagers to executive groups, Melwood’s challenge courses, equine programs, and indoor and outdoor meeting spaces are the perfect environment for large and small groups to engage, experience, communicate, and grow. Descriptions of experiential learning opportunities are below. Please contact us at RecreationCenter@melwood.org or 301-870-3226 for pricing and availability.
Low Ropes experiential learning activities engage participants to interact physically, verbally, and engage emotionally in novel indoor and outdoor activities and environments. Physical movement is a large component of low ropes activities, both on and off the low ropes course. Low ropes activities and elements are designed to promote group interactions and familiarity, prepare participants for high ropes elements by modeling appropriate spotting and how to navigate elements, and focus on encouraging participants to provide verbal problem solving and reflection, while moving physically--often in challenging ways that require balance and coordination.
On the low ropes course, participants engage in a series of individual spotted elements that encourage the climber to navigate on cables and boards that are approximately 6" off the ground, while being spotted by other participants.
The Low Ropes course is appropriate for participants of all ability levels. Accommodations can be made for participants with physical special needs. The course is accessible by vehicle for participants with mobility issues. The course is outside, so participants must be able to tolerate being outside for the duration of the program.
On the climbing wall, individual climbers are supported by a trained staff on a belay system to climb a rock wall. While one participant is climbing, other participants are encouraged to stay engaged by spotting the climber, coaching the climber, and motivating the climber.
The climbing wall encourages climbers to challenge themselves physically while exploring multiple problem solving options and reflect on how they handle stress and anxiety. Group discussions and debriefs on having perspective, supporting others, and finding creative solutions are part of the experience.
The climbing wall is appropriate for participants of all ability levels who can use their arms and legs to support themselves. Some accommodations can be made for participants with physical special needs. The course is accessible by vehicle for participants with mobility issues. The course is outside, so participants must be able to tolerate being outside for the duration of the program.
Using the horse, participants are encouraged to work in small groups to navigate through and attempt to resolve unique problem-solving challenges that require no previous horsemanship knowledge.
Participants also have the opportunity to work with different equines to explore how the animal handles stress, and how the handler's behaviors and actions impact the animal's behavior.
Participants are unmounted at all times. This is not a horseback riding opportunity. Equine Centered Teambuilding is appropriate for participants of all ability levels. The program takes place in an indoor arena, which is covered but not heated or air-conditioned. The flooring of the arena is flat and sandy. Participants with allergies to horses and dust may not be appropriate for this program.
The high ropes course allows participants to navigate individual elements connected by transfer points, leading to a zip line. The elements on the high ropes course mimic the low ropes elements, so that the facilitator can encourage participants to reflect on their low ropes experiences and connections while navigating the higher course. Participants wear a safety harness and helmet at all times and are connected to the course with a lobster claw system.
The high ropes course provides prime opportunities for participants to coach, self-reflect, and challenge themselves physically while focusing on small details and “larger picture” movements.
The high ropes course is appropriate for participants of all ability levels who can use their arms and legs to support themselves. Some accommodations can be made for participants with physical special needs. The course is accessible by vehicle for participants with mobility issues. The course is outside, so participants must be able to tolerate being outside for the duration of the program.
Nessie is a high ropes challenge course individual belayed element. A participant, while being supported by a belay line managed by a trained facilitator, climbs up the element and transfers across three floating beams. Ground participants support the climber by balancing the beams. The combination of the individual challenge with the team building aspect allows for a powerful experiential learning experience that also engages the group.
After each climber, the group debriefs and creates a strategy for the next climber. The facilitator encourages the participants to focus on strategy, perspective, communication, leadership, and coaching.
Nessie is appropriate for participants of all ability levels. For participants who do not have an interest or physical ability to climb, there are ample opportunities for full participation on the ground. Some accommodations can be made for participants with physical special needs who would like to climb. The course is accessible by vehicle for participants with mobility issues. The course is outside, so participants must be able to tolerate being outside for the duration of the program.
Using unique approaches to encourage communication, identify group and individuals strengths and areas of needs, and develop dynamic project plans, groups utilizing classroom facilitation will have the support of a trained, enthusiastic, and engaging facilitator to support their in a seated and low-level movement indoor or outdoor environment. This program is ideal for groups seeking a retreat and teambuilding experience for users who may have physical special needs, limited mobility, or a preference for all indoor activity. Classroom facilitation is also an ideal accompaniment to other more active and outdoor programs so that the retreat experience has a balanced feel.
