School staff unveil revamped ropes course, highlight safety upgrades and expanded student use

Paul Bell, a science teacher and adviser to the Lake Crew and National Honor Society, and colleague Anna Drews presented a detailed update on the school forest ropes course, saying the district has invested in safety and staffing to expand student access.

“This is my old equipment,” Paul Bell said while explaining the course’s history and upgrades, then walked the board through new features: an ELF (automatic locking fall) tether system, a “smart stap” continuous belay so participants cannot be left untethered, and full-body harnesses. The presenters said those changes reduce maintenance demands on staff and increase safety during climbs and rescues.

Bell and Drews described the course layout (six high-course events plus a low-ropes team challenge), staffing and certification: about a dozen instructors trained and re-certified through an external agency, rescues practiced during intensive three-day sessions, and usage examples including a recent volleyball outing with 35–40 participants. They noted the course can accommodate progressive programming—low ropes for elementary, higher elements for older students—and has hosted community groups and varsity teams.

District leaders said the upgrades were chosen after deliberation about safety, sustainability and program reach. The presenters emphasized using the course for team-building, leadership development and curricular connections, and encouraged board members to visit the site to see the equipment and instructional routines in person.