Class finishes climbing and repelling course
   By Joel Clark

HETTICK, IL – On Sept. 10 and 11, 2005, a group of Blackburn students, led by Dr. Sam Meredith, completed a climbing and rappelling course at Camp Bunn in Hettick, Ill.

The retreat, which satisfies a half credit for PE 70, is designed to introduce students to the practices and techniques of safe rope climbing and rappelling, as well as build teamwork, communication, trust, self-esteem and leadership skills.

Officially titled COPE, an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, the retreat gives participants the opportunity to learn about climbing ropes, safety harnesses, belaying, and rappelling in a controlled situation with an emphasis on safety.

The group departed campus the morning of Sept. 10 and upon arrival at Camp Bunn immediately began with some introductory teamwork and group development tasks that involved the active participation of each member.

“This year’s group took everything into their own hands and ran with it. Therefore, I had to do very little, as opposed to some previous experiences,” Dr. Meredith said.

Last year there were a lot of power struggles within the group, and this year there seems to be a peace between the members. Without peace in the group they would not have been able to do some of the activities.

One event, called the “trust fall”, involves each person putting their own safety into the hands of the group by standing on a platform six feet off the ground with their backs to the group, arms crossed, eyes closed and falling backward into the hands of everyone below.

The final activity of day one is the climbing and rappelling of the face of a rock wall.

The success of the entire outing is dependent on the trust and camaraderie built during the first day of activities, and this group had very little difficulty working with one another.

Day two of the weekend was the culmination of all the progress from day one.

Three obstacle courses, similar to something out of a military basic training regimen, completed the course and challenged everyone to test their own abilities.

Participant Karl Fiedler remarked, “The best part of the trip was all of the obstacles that brought me the highest off the ground.”

All three courses, checked and double-checked for safety, involve 20 to 30 foot climbs up various ladders or trees. All of the courses crossed from one platform to another on either suspended wires or logs, and finally descended either by rope or climb.

The final event was a zip-line 35-40 feet high and 270 feet long, bringing the participants to speeds of anywhere from 30 to 40 mph on the way down.

Everyone truly is tested in their ability and mettle, and successfully completing the course proves to be very gratifying.
“After I did the events I felt very proud, and looking back up at the course from the ground I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I did that!,’” said Addie Zereabruk.

Members Jason Sallee, Jacob Blakeman and Zack Blakeman were participating for their second straight year and working toward their certification as COPE instructors.

When asked how he felt about this year’s experience Sallee replied, “I was very proud of how everyone not only completed the courses, but also had a good time with each other.”

It seems the shared experience was an especially good time for Erin Schmitz.

“After I got used to the events and the challenge, I felt like a little kid again, climbing trees in my back yard,” said Schmitz.

The COPE program became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America’s camping program in 1983 and locally in 1985-86.

Dr. Meredith has taught the course for four years.