In the Beginning....

Adventure Education (AE) and Experiential Education (EE) programs have been present in the United States since 1963 through the first Outward Bound USA. This style of education, or "learning by doing" was the underlying education method for the long Outward Bound expeditions, which resulted in increased self-esteem, awareness, motivation, self value, problem solving abilities, communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership abilities, and increased morale for individuals that comprised the expedition groups. AE and EE mediums utilized during these programs included backpacking, sailing, camping, rock climbing, mountaineering, canoeing, rafting, obstacle courses, and psychological barriers. These mediums were used to create artificial stresses and challenges to help participants gain an increase in their self perception and abilities. Over the years, studies have been performed to document and measure these benefits.

Much of the practices and procedures utilized for these expeditions came from Paul Petzoldt, whom many consider the father of mountaineering. Mr. Petzoldt feats are legendary: at age sixteen, he stood atop Wyoming’s Grand Teton; in 1934, he made an astounding double traverse of the Matterhorn in one day; in 1938 he joined the first American expedition to K2 in the Himalayas, and climbed higher than any man had been at that time without auxiliary oxygen. In 1963, he served as chief instructor at Colorado Outward Bound, he went on to found the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in 1965, and the Wilderness Education Association in 1977. He is granddaddy of the voice signaling system, the code climbers use to communicate. He also originated many procedures in the Leave No Trace practice of conservation camping and hiking techniques such as the rest step and rhythm breathing.

During this same time period in the early 1970's, the first ropes course companies were formed. These courses were constructed of wood, rope, wire cable, trees, and utility poles. Elements were built both close to the ground or high up in tree tops. Thus the present day names were coined, "Low and High Ropes Courses" or "Ropes Course." In the later 1970's and the 1980's, these companies grew in popularity and program development.