TA News

Late this fall, just before the snow overtook campus, Brattleboro-based High 5 Adventure Learning was onsite installing a low ropes challenge course at Thetford Academy. The course, located on the Barrett property adjacent to the Thetford Hill State Forest, has twelve features that will challenge students to think creatively, work together, and help to build self-confidence.

For safety reasons, some of the elements in the course were built solely by High 5, but many were installed by TA students in the Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education class over the course of the fall. Sophomore Louis Dybvig wrote about the experience as part of his capstone project for the class:

“When future classes are out using the new low ropes course I will feel proud that people are enjoying our hard work. I can imagine walking into the field, looking around and seeing the fruits of our labor. I hope people enjoy all the signs, the trails, the platforms and elements that my class worked so hard to complete. I’m proud of the work that we put into this project and I’m glad I got to be part of something that will make an impact on future students.”

Environmental Studies students were also first to try out the course after five TA faculty completed training and certification last week. In the coming months and years, the low ropes course will be used across TA’s curriculum, summer programs, and special events.