AU Challenge Course
The Auburn University Challenge Course’s purpose is to serve as a creative tool for enhancing leadership development. The course has a series of adventure-based learning activities designed to facilitate a unique community-building experience. Mental and physical activities are used for personal and skill development of individuals and groups. These experiences are then connected back to the individual and team’s life and work outside the program. Programs are tailored to fit each group’s needs.
Programs
Programs are developed based on the unique goals for each group. Objectives such as communication, team building, cooperation, leadership development and trust building are common among professional, student and community groups. If you have a specific goal in mind let us know when you schedule a visit.
Provides your group with two hours of low-risk challenges in an open-field setting and wooded setting. An Express Challenge Program consists of initiatives and low elements which allows the group to interact in a safe environment while working together on their leadership, critical thinking and communication skills.
Not able to make it out to the challenge course? Our portable programs help you design a program at your location that will fit to meet your group’s needs. The activities planned will be dependent upon space available, time allotted and desired outcomes for the program.
For pricing information, please see the 'Pricing' tab.
| Express Challenge – Typical Schedule |
| 9:00am – 9:15am |
Intro, Name Game, Energizer |
| 9:15am – 9:45am |
Initiative |
| 9:45am – 10:15am |
Element #1 |
| 10:15am – 10:45am |
Element #2 |
| 10:45am – 11:00am |
Wrap-Up Activity, Debrief |
Activities
High Elements
High elements are challenges that involve individuals or groups completing a task on man-made structures that are 30 feet off the ground. All elements are inspected by staff as well as Project Adventure. Through these activities, participants learn the importance of group support, goal setting and goal achievement. High elements also challenge the individuals by requiring them to mentally and physically accomplish challenging activities while working outside of their comfort zones.
Auburn University’s Challenge Course provides several different types of high element programs depending on the group’s needs and objectives.
Low Elements
Low elements, like initiatives, provide the opportunity for participants to discover new qualities about themselves and others as they work together to complete a challenge. These challenges occur on man-made structures on the ground. Elements require all group members to work together to complete a common goal. For example, participants might be asked to get all members through a "Spider Web" (a tangle of string) within a certain time limit.
For pricing information, please see the 'Pricing' tab.
| Full Day - Combo (Lows/Highs) – Typical Schedule |
| 9:00am – 9:15am |
Intro, Name Game, Energizer |
| 9:15am – 9:45am |
Initiative |
| 9:45am – 10:15am |
Element #1 |
| 10:15am – 10:45am |
Element #2 |
| 10:45am – 11:15am |
Element #3 |
| 11:15am – 11:45am |
Element #4 |
| 11:45am – 12:00pm |
Wrap-Up Activity, Debrief |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
Lunch (Catering Available) |
| 1:00pm – 1:15pm |
Gear Up for High Elements |
| 1:15pm – 2:00pm |
High Element #1 |
| 2:00pm – 2:45pm |
High Element #2 |
| 2:45pm – 3:00pm |
Wrap-Up Activity, Debrief |
Activities
High Elements
High elements are challenges that involve individuals or groups completing a task on man-made structures that are 30 feet off the ground. All elements are inspected by staff as well as Project Adventure. Through these activities, participants learn the importance of group support, goal setting and goal achievement. High elements also challenge the individuals by requiring them to mentally and physically accomplish challenging activities while working outside of their comfort zones.
Auburn University’s Challenge Course provides several different types of high element programs depending on the group’s needs and objectives.
Low Elements
Low elements, like initiatives, provide the opportunity for participants to discover new qualities about themselves and others as they work together to complete a challenge. These challenges occur on man-made structures on the ground. Elements require all group members to work together to complete a common goal. For example, participants might be asked to get all members through a "Spider Web" (a tangle of string) within a certain time limit.
For pricing information, please see the 'Pricing' tab.
| Half Day-Combo (Low/Highs) – Typical Schedule |
| 9:00am – 9:15am |
Intro, Name Game, Energizer |
| 9:15am – 9:45am |
Initiative |
| 9:45am – 10:15am |
Element #1 |
| 10:15am – 10:45am |
Element #2 |
| 10:45am – 11:00am |
Gear Up for High Elements |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm |
High Element #1 |
| 12:00pm – 12:45pm |
High Element #2 |
| 12:45pm – 1:00pm |
Wrap-Up Activity, Debrief |
Activities
Initiatives
Learning more about who you work and play with and what makes them special is important to discovering an individual’s leadership qualities. Initiatives are activities that combine the best of both worlds and prepare the group to move on to low and high rope challenges.
Low Elements
Low elements, like initiatives, provide the opportunity for participants to discover new qualities about themselves and others as they work together to complete a challenge. These challenges occur on man-made structures on the ground. Elements require all group members to work together to complete a common goal. For example, participants might be asked to get all members through a "Spider Web" (a tangle of string) within a certain time limit.
For pricing information, please see the 'Pricing' tab.
| Half Day-Lows Only – Typical Schedule |
| 9:00am – 9:15am |
Intro, Name Game, Energizer |
| 9:15am – 9:45am |
Initiative |
| 9:45am – 10:15am |
Element #1 |
| 10:15am – 10:45am |
Element #2 |
| 10:45am – 11:15am |
Element #3 |
| 11:15am – 11:45am |
Element #4 |
| 11:45am – 12:00pm |
Wrap-Up Activity, Debrief |
A challenge course is an experiential learning area where participants can take away insight and knowledge by accomplishing objectives and goals in an adventure setting.
Challenge course elements are designed to encourage team building, cooperation, communication, trust, risk taking and personal growth.
Depending upon a group’s goals, participants work together to complete team building, cooperative or trust building activities this can take the form of:
- Initiatives
- Low-elements
- High-elements
The course is located on the north side of Auburn near Highway 280. Directions will be emailed to your group prior to your appointment.
Fill out the information form under the 'Reservation' tab.
Each session is personalized specifically to each group. Therefore, session length depends on the goals and activities each group wants to try during their time at the course. Most groups schedule either a half day (3-4 hours) or a full day (6-8 hours) visit. If you have time restraints or concerns please make note of them when you schedule a visit
Since this is an outdoor course, located in the woods, participants should dress for the season. Closed-toe shoes are required. (Rubber-soled recommended) Rain jackets and/or coats might be necessary in inclement weather.
- Signed waiver (Note: This waiver will be emailed to you after you have made reservations for the Challenge Course)
- Payment
- Closed-toe shoes (Rubber sole recommended)
- Bottled water, if desired
- Camera, if desired
- A willingness to learn and a good attitude!
- Optional: Snacks
PROGRAM PRICES
Note: If you are viewing this site on a device with a small screen size, scroll left and right to see the full pricing table.
| Group Type |
Express Challenge
(1-2 Hours) |
Half Day Program
(3-4 hours) All Low |
Half Day Program
(3-4 hours) All High or Combo |
Full Day Program
6-8 hours) Combo |
| Auburn Students, Faculty, & Staff |
$10/person
($150 group min) |
$15/person
($200 group min) |
$25/person
($300 group min) |
$55/person
($550 group min) |
| Outside groups: Non-profit |
$15/person
($150 group min) |
$25/person
($250 group min) |
$30/person
($300 group min) |
$70/person
($700 group min) |
| Outside groups: Corporate |
$20/person
($200 group min) |
$30/person
($300 group min) |
$35/person
($350 group min) |
$80/person
($800 group min) |
| *For groups over 45 people please contact for rates* |
Express Challenge:
Provides your group with up to two hours of low-risk challenges in an open-field setting and wooded setting. An Express Challenge Program consists of initiatives and low elements which allows the group to interact in a safe environment while working together on their leadership, critical thinking and communication skills.
Half Day Programs:
Our half day programs include up to 4 hours of customized activities based upon the needs and desired outcomes of your group. A progression is sequenced based upon your group’s unique stage of development. Some activities that may be included are icebreakers, initiatives, low ropes and high ropes activities.
Full Day Programs:
Our Full day programs include 6-8 hours of customized activities based upon the needs and desired outcomes of your group. A progression is sequenced based upon your group’s unique stage of development. Some activities that may be included are icebreakers, initiatives, low ropes and high ropes activities. Also, catering is available for your group at a small additional charge.
Off-Site Programs
AU Challenge Course also offers off-site courses by request; this is known as a portables program. Activities may be limited depending on group size and location. Contact us for more information and find out how we can bring the challenge to you and your group!
Last Updated: November 6, 2019
