Horseback riding Learn how to prepare for a ride, saddling procedures, commands and general horse behavior, grooming, and trail etiquette. Enjoy a short trail ride through the forested foothills of the Collegiate peaks. Learn also about the horse's herd mentality and practice "join-up" procedures. Program can be adapted to experienced or first-time riders.  Ropes Course Challenge your students with our low, and two high ropes courses. Each element is designed to help students overcome fear and gain self-confidence. Allow them the opportunity to push past previous barriers and discover inner abilities they never knew they had. Leahy and Associates, a professional vendor member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology, designed and built our two 30-40 foot high ropes courses that challenge participants with many different elements designed for safety and fun. Encouragement from peers can always be heard from the ground as students maneuver the course and end with an exciting zip line ride to the ground.  Rock Wall Adjacent to the ropes course is our rock wall. Seven different belay points offer a multitude of climbs challenging everyone from the true beginner to the experienced expert.  Indoor Rock Gym Brand new to the outdoor center, this world class rock gym has 800 square feet of faux rock climbs to challenge climbers of all abilities!  Initiatives Course Small groups of students will work together unaided to overcome challenges of varying difficulty. Every group member plays an important role in achieving the group goal. Students emerge with a greater sense of responsibility for those around them, learn valuable peer communication skills, and find new appreciation for their classmates. Students are encouraged to think about how skills learned in the initiative can be applied to their everyday lives.  Ecology Hike Learn about the mountain ecology of the Upper Arkansas River Valley on a trail hike through the 100 Elk property. Experience first hand the effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle, forest succession, avalanche disturbances, vegetation variations and wildlife presence. Students come away with a greater appreciation of the environment, and a sense of how every cause has an effect.  Orienteering Students learn how to use a compass and read a topographical map. The group then uses these skills to maneuver through our challenging course.  Backcountry Camp Craft Get acquainted with the basics of backcountry trips and what those entail. Learn campsite selection, trip preparation, and basic camping etiquette. Helps students become proficient and courteous backpackers and hikers.  Sensory Awareness Students learn to use their eyes, ears and other senses more acutely, allowing them to better appreciate the outdoors. Games played will challenge them to really pay attention to their surroundings.  Service Project Put on your work clothes and get ready; students group together and work on trail maintenance for the U.S. Forest Service. Enjoy incredible sights, learn about erosion and trail etiquette, and contribute some time to promote wilderness use for backpackers and hikers.  Journal Writing Get those creative juices flowing with group time designed to teach journal writing and sketching. It gives students an outlet for interpreting and appreciating their surroundings.  Water Study Is water precious to Coloradans? You bet! Find out where the water in the Arkansas River comes from and where it goes. Examine water projects that the state implements to supply front range cities with water. Discuss important issues surrounding this system of waterways.  Wrangler Breakfast Ride or hike out to our campground for breakfast made over the campfire.  Night Hikes Boys and girls go their separate ways on guided hikes into the forest. Each hike is unique, and may include stargazing, storytelling, or nature study.