Heart of Ohio Council

CHALLENGING OUTDOOR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
 

Project COPE is a program for youth and adults comprised of group initiatives, team-building, problem-solving, and physical challenge. Although Project COPE uses some of the skills, techniques and tools of rock climbing,it is not simply a climbing course. Rather, it uses climbing situations as one of the several means to achieve its goals. These goals include the development of trust, communication, self-esteem, leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork.

WHY PROJECT COPE?

The Project COPE course challenges participants to become more aware of themselves and others, their strengths and limitations. For groups that already know each other well, Project COPE builds on this knowledge to improve communication and leadership skills. For newer groups-even complete strangers-Project COPE is a great mechanism for rapidly developing a strong sense of team membership. Beyond all these lofty objectives, Project COPE is also FUN! Groups who have completed our course are uniformly impressed by how much they enjoyed the experience.

HOW IS PROJECT COPE STRUCTURED?

The first half of a Project COPE program, usually lasting for about one day, consists of group initiative activities and events on our “low course.” This is a series of approximately a dozen structures, each one of which presents a problem for groups or individual solution. The climax of the low course is a group effort to scale a 12-foot wall.

The second half of a complete Project COPE program is the “high course.” This consists of approximately twelve elements which require participants to negotiate cables, swings, and nets high in the air. An elaborated, redundant safety system protects participants at all times.

Some groups, with limited time and resources, may decide to participate only in the low course. The complete Project COPE experience, low and high courses, requires about two full days.

WHO LEADS PROJECT COPE?

Project COPE is a program of the Heart of Ohio Council. It is staffed by trained volunteers. The course directors, one of whom is present for all courses, are nationally trained and certified to conduct the program.

Our instructors and staff members are locally recruited and extensively trained. The entire program staff,facilities and policies are subject to a rigorous annual inspection and certification by the Boy Scouts of America.

CHALLENGE BY CHOICE

Two overriding concerns guide the staff at all times. First, we are committed to providing a safe experience for all participants. Second, Project COPE strives to build confidence in each participant. At no time, however, will any participant be pushed into doing something he or she wishes not to do.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT COPE?

Adults and youth may participate in Project COPE. Participants must be 12 years old by January 1 of the year they are attending COPE to participate in low course activities. Participants must be 13 years old by January 1 to participate in high course activities. Optimum group size is 8-14 participants.

As a service to the community, we also make Project COPE available to non-Scout groups whose mission is consistent or compatible with that of the Boy Scouts of America. Corporate groups, community groups, fire departments, law enforcement groups, and school groups can benefit from a Project COPE experience. For these groups, we combine the high and low course activities with effective classroom instruction. This program is called Venture Leadership.

HOW DO WE SIGN UP?

Project COPE dates tend to fill up quickly, so we suggest that you make your reservation today. After your group is scheduled, the leadership will receive a packet of information. This includes a Medical Consent Form which must be signed by all participants or their parents/guardians. The leader will also be given information about the pre-course conditioning, clothing to bring, etc.

Non-Scout groups will need to complete some additional forms, such as a Hold Harmless Agreement and provide a certificate of insurance. Such groups should communicate with us directly to arrange all the necessary steps.

For COPE Scheduling, please contact Tom Witkowski at 419-543-6112 or by email at twitkow904@aol.com. After confirming your date with him, please call the Scout Service Center at 800-334-5910 ext 108. We will need your group information in order to get the paperwork out to you.