Our Outdoor Challenge Programs are memorable experiences. A willingness to challenge oneself physically and emotionally is an integral component of Youth Odyssey’s programming. Pushing oneself this way enhances self-reliance, self-confidence, leadership skills and communication skills.

PORTABLE AND STATIONARY ROPES CHALLENGE COURSE
Ropes Courses are a unique and powerful way to foster team development and personal growth. The Portable Ropes Challenge Course consists Portable Low Elements. Portable Ropes Courses are typically 2-hour sessions for each element and are conducted onsite at the referring agency. The Stationary Ropes Challenge Course is located on Hwy 37 and is comprised of an all day session.

Low Elements
During the low elements portion of a Ropes Challenge Course, the focus is on the team. Activities draw on the knowledge and ideas of every group member and require the participation and cooperation of the entire team. Activities are performed on or close to the ground, gradually increasing in difficulty so the team can learn from its successes and build trust and confidence as obstacles are overcome.

High Elements
The High Elements of a Ropes Course emphasizes individual challenge and accomplishments and is built on the team development and trust established on the Low Elements. The High Elements are an extremely powerful developmental tool because of the perceived risk of each activity. The High Elements allow the youth to expand their comfort zones and overcome fears that can block personal development and achievement.

Processing at the closure of each experience includes reflection, evaluation and goal review to help the youth derive meaning from the experience and how it applies to their lives.

ADVENTURE WILDERNESS TRIP PROGRAM
The wilderness is a place where nature is dominant and situations and their consequences are real. Camping in these conditions, away from the distractions of modern civilization fosters self-reliance, respect and a sense of responsibility for youth’s own actions. Youth Odyssey’s programs are designed based on the nationally recognized National Outdoor Leadership Schools (NOLS) and Outward Bound.

Through the outdoor experience, in addition to learning outdoor skills, teens respond to physical challenges and learn to overcome obstacles through problem solving. Youth are guided through activities, which enable them to build self-esteem, self-confidence, cooperation, leadership skills, and team building. Teens expand their horizons beyond concrete and asphalt and to learn about themselves, nature and their environment. Each youth spends 3 days with caring adults in an environment that teaches them more effective ways of relating to others and healthier ways of valuing themselves.

Each Youth Odyssey Wilderness Adventure trip meets at 4:00 p.m. on Friday evening for transportation by Youth Odyssey’s 15-passenger van to a campsite. They return by 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening to the original meeting place. Youth Odyssey provides all equipment and supplies for each trip and gives each youth a list of suggested clothing and personal accessories that may be needed. Basic camp craft, hiking, and backpacking are taught on each trip. Youth are also introduced to the concept of environmental stewardship through “Leave No Trace” ethics. This concept teaches an acceptance of personal responsibility for maintaining the health and beauty of the natural environment.

Each activity during the weekend includes reflection, evaluation and goal review to help the youth derive meaning from what they have experienced and how the experiences apply to their lives. Also, the whole team processes the entire day’s refection on Saturday night around the campfire and this is reported as one the youth’s favorite part of the trip.

Youth Odyssey does offer extended primitive trips to locations as the Pecos River, Big Bend, and other locations throughout Texas and the Southwest. Such trips usually last 5-7 days in duration.

Sequence of Development
Whether on an Adventure Wilderness Trip or on a Ropes Challenge Course, youth progress through carefully planned activities that build leadership, problem-solving skills, trust, teamwork, self-confidence, and communication skills.