Jackson Campus
Doug Walker Challenge Course
Choose Your
Challenge
The Doug Walker Challenge Course is an outdoor, experiential obstacle course on the Jackson Campus of Teton Science Schools. It is an educational resource to help groups work together more effectively, to promote leadership and teamwork, and to help individuals develop self-awareness and confidence. We also incorporate educational themes to teach students and participants about scientific topics and concepts.
Our custom-built challenge course is of a series of low obstacles (two to three feet above ground) and high obstacles (ten to forty feet above ground) made with rope, cable and wood. The obstacles challenge individual skills and encourage group cooperation towards successful completion.
The challenge course offers a range of features for groups of all ages and abilities, no experience required. Build teamwork on the low course, or build your confidence on the high course. Both of our courses are designed to challenge your physical and mental limitations through safe, exciting activities.
For more information please call 307.733.1313 or email dwcc@tetonscience.org
School & Youth Groups
Use the challenge course to help students develop a better understanding of science, mathematics or physics. Bring your extra-curricular club, scout troop or sports team for a day to develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Friends & Families
Zip, traverse, and swing with friends and family. We infuse course activities with outdoor learning for a fun, enjoyable outing for the entire group. You’re sure to have a blast and create lasting memories.
Professional Development
Bring a team of co-workers to the challenge course. Our customized programs are designed to enhance trust, efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace. Challenge course activities encourage group problem solving, communication, goal setting, leadership and cooperation. Participants can then transfer and apply their new strengths to the workplace.
Retreats & Events
The Doug Walker Challenge Course is the perfect complement to any event at Teton Science Schools or in Jackson Hole. Our team of professional facilitators will engage your group in activities that build teamwork, group problem solving, effective communication, systems thinking and risk taking. The challenge course can also be a fun addition to wedding or special event.
Bring a team of co-workers to the challenge course. Our customized programs are designed to enhance trust, efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace. Challenge course activities encourage group problem solving, communication, goal setting, leadership and cooperation. Participants can then transfer and apply their new strengths to the workplace.
About
Doug Walker
Doug Walker loved life, his family and the mountains. While teaching at Teton Science Schools in 1992, he dreamed of constructing a challenge course in Jackson Hole to facilitate participant growth through experiential learning. Doug died from injuries sustained in a climbing accident in Grand Teton National Park on September 23, 1993. In May of 1995, Doug’s friends and family made his challenge course dream a reality. The course was relocated from its original location in Jackson Hole to the Jackson Campus of Teton Science Schools in 2013.
The new course builds on Doug’s original vision. Our course partners state-of-the-art design, features and construction with interdisciplinary learning in science, place and leadership. It enables community members and visitors alike to enjoy a customized experience in an extraordinary setting. Thank you to all of the donors who made Doug’s vision a reality!
Challenge Course FAQs
The Teton Science Schools, Inc.: Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreements are documents which outline the inherent risks of participating in activities with Teton Science Schools including use of the Doug Walker Challenge Course. At Teton Science Schools we practice a variety of risk management measures to mitigate the inherent risks associated with the challenge course including: thorough and ongoing training of facilitators, yearly inspections of the course by an outside organization, education of participants of risks and prevention, thoughtful progressions of activities, practicing challenge by choice, and using safety gear including helmets and harnesses on high elements.
The high elements on the Doug Walker Challenge Course are roughly 30-40 feet above ground. Participants wearing a seat harness and a helmet are connected to a rope and belayed on the course by a facilitator. The low elements are only 2-3 feet above ground and participants use spotting to prevent each other from falling to the ground.
A challenge course is composed of a series of obstacles that are constructed primarily of ropes, cables, and wood. Challenge courses are designed as unique educational resources which engage people in a number of activities that promote teamwork, group problem solving, effective communication, as well as many other important skills. The Doug Walker Challenge Course is a custom-built course which includes low and high elements. It is used as a venue to help groups work more effectively together and to help individuals develop self-awareness. However, at Teton Science Schools we also use our course to teach about the many facets of science!
Participants are required to wear close-toed shoes in order to use the challenge course. Appropriate dress is dependent on the season. Even during summer months we encourage you to bring a warm layer because the challenge course is often shaded and cool. During colder months we encourage participants to wear several layers. This allows the freedom of taking layers off if you are too warm and adding layers on if you are cold. Please refer to the “packing list” below:
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sack lunch/snacks (if desired)
- Camera (if desired)
- Close-toed shoes
- Gloves (winter/fall)
- Sunscreen
- Medications (if needed)
- Warm hat (winter/fall)
- Warm layer(s)
- Waterproof layer (if precipitation is forecasted)
- A smile and a good attitude!
Nearly all individuals can have a profound experience on a challenge course. There are certainly particular elements which require more physical effort than others–primarily the high ropes. The staff at Teton Science Schools will customize a progression to meet the goals and abilities of your group. Some of our elements are also wheelchair accessible–including the zip wire.
Using the Doug Walker Challenge Course can meet a variety of educational and developmental goals. Our challenge course is a very effective tool which caters well to groups of all ages, sizes, and dynamics. Common outcomes from using the course include enhancement of cooperation/teamwork, decision making, goal setting, trust, self-esteem, leadership, communication, and group problem solving. In addition, at Teton Science Schools we dedicate equal focus to using our challenge course as a resource to meet science education goals as well.
