Activities
Our activities are the heart of what we do here at 100 Elk. Include any of our activities as part of your retreat or group gathering to promote teamwork, growth, reflection and fun.
The 100 Elk Outdoor Center offers a variety of activities to complement corporate and group retreats, reunions and other event rentals. We have seen firsthand the growth and self-confidence adults and kids gain from participating in any one of our activities.
Our “Challenge by Choice” philosophy encourages participants to make choices that are safe and authentic for themselves, and considerate of the group. We realize that learning and growth comes not just from climbing or completing an activity, but from providing opportunities for participants to make choices for themselves despite peer pressure or other external factors, much like challenges they face at work or home.
We provide a snapshot of our activities below. The availability of activities depends largely on the weather and size of your group. If you have questions about how an activity might work for your group, please email or contact us with any questions.
Things to Do During Your Visit
Archery
Learn the basic techniques of archery and have the opportunity to practice your skills. 100 Elk has several bow options for participants including recurve, compound and traditional archery bows. Our range has three main bullseye targets at varying distances, as well as several movable targets for beginner and advanced archers. Our courses, taught by outdoor professionals, allow participants above the age of 10 to practice shooting in a safe and fun environment.
Canoeing & Kayaking
We offer canoeing and kayaking at Round-Up Lake as a group session or optional activity for participants in the morning or afternoon. It’s one of our most popular activities among groups, as they learn strokes, practice paddling as a team, relax on the lake and enjoy beautiful mountain views. 100 Elk instructors are available to coach your group, provide instruction on boating skills and serve as certified lifeguards. PFDs (personal flotation devices) are also included.
Gaga
A favorite of many of our guests, gaga is a dodgeball-inspired game played in our indoor “gaga pit,” a large, octagonal structure at Wyly Lodge. This fast-paced, high energy game allows adults and kids of any size, age or ability to play and have fun. Much like dodgeball, the object of the game is to hit the ball towards opponents (below the knee) and be the last one remaining. Depending upon the size of the group, games last between 10 and 15 minutes, and groups are usually eager to play again and again.
Giant’s Ladder
The Giant’s Ladder is a stand-alone high element that challenges participants to work together to climb up a large, suspended ladder. The element, suspended on cables between two large trees, requires participants (on belay) to work with his or her teammate to set a goal and work toward climbing as far as they can together. The rungs get farther apart and more difficult to climb as they work to achieve their goal – providing a unique opportunity to practice trust, balance and cooperation. This activity is an excellent way to practice teamwork and is often combined with the Leap of Faith for a half-day session.
Heated Pool
Ideal for our warmer months, our heated pool is available to include on any large group rental. Guests can exercise by practicing laps or rent the pool for an evening pool party and s’mores at our nearby fire pit. Adjacent to Wyly Lodge, the pool is a 10-minute walk from Round-Up Ranch or short commute from any of our Sky Valley cabins. The pool house has a changing area, bathrooms and outdoor showers, and certified lifeguards are available as needed.
Hiking Trails
For nature lovers, we have several miles of trails on property and access to the Colorado Trail. Enjoy a short hike (post-meetings) through the forest or plan a half-day hike to Harvard Lakes for your group to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors and provide opportunities for bonding. Trails range from beginner hikes to more challenging adventures. Our trail maintenance crew continues to rehab and update our trails so they are hiker-friendly. If you are interested in having your group participate in a service project, please email us.
High Ropes Course
Built in 2015, our multi-level ropes course is designed to help participants overcome fears, gain self-confidence and better understand the element of choice. The ropes course has two levels (a medium and high course) as well as a zip line. All ropes course activities are facilitated by certified 100 Elk instructors and include a safety talk, tour of the course, instruction, gear and 1 to 2 hours in the course. Groups typically spend a half to full day at the ropes course, depending on their size.
Horseback Riding
100 Elk welcomes participants of all riding levels. Learn how to prepare for a ride, saddling procedures, commands and general horse behavior, grooming and trail etiquette. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, learning the fundamentals of horsemanship and working with your horse teaches you valuable lessons about communication and teamwork. Our corral staff offers sessions on basic and advanced skills, trail rides and arena work, along with other specialized activities such as polocrosse and cowboy mounted shooting. Sessions typically last a half to full day, depending upon the level of the riders’ ability and activity.
Leap of Faith
The Leap of Faith is a stand-alone high element where a participant (on belay) jumps off a platform 30 feet off the ground in an attempt to catch a trapeze a short distance away. While this is an individual activity, the participant receives support from the staff and group on the ground who serve as part of the belay team. For many of our participants, this is an opportunity to gain self-confidence in their abilities and decision-making as well as learn to trust the equipment and team below. The Leap of Faith is usually combined with our Giant’s Ladder activity for a half-day session.
Low Ropes Course
At our low ropes courses, small groups work together to overcome challenges of varying difficulty. Every group member plays an important role in achieving the group goal. Participants emerge with a greater sense of responsibility for those around them, learn valuable peer communication skills, and find new appreciation for their team members. We have two low ropes courses – one near Wyly Lodge and the other in our South Woods – with various elements that range in height from one to 12 feet, including the T.P. Shuffle, Mohawk Walk, Wild Woozy, Nitro Crossing, Team Wall, Spider’s Web and Team Traverse, among others.
Rock Gym
Built in 2002, the Wyly Rock Gym is a 900 sq-ft facility with climbing routes for all abilities. The facility includes a bouldering wall with a loft on top for hanging out, four top ropes, three auto-belay systems and several bolted routes for lead climbing. Professional route setters change routes annually. The padded, carpeted floor makes landings and lazing around more comfortable. If your group is familiar with climbing, the gym can be used with supervision rather than instruction by 100 Elk staff. Rock gym sessions led by 100 Elk staff include climbing gear, safety instruction, warm up bouldering activities, and time for free climbing on top ropes and auto-belays.
Rock Tower
Located at Round-Up Ranch, the rock tower is a 35-ft tall simulated-rock structure with a variety of climbs including four top ropes and one auto-belay system. The routes range from beginner-intermediate to difficult. Adjacent to the rock tower is a 10-foot bouldering wall, ideal for all levels of climbers. Similar to the indoor rock gym, the rock wall can be used with supervision rather than instruction by 100 Elk staff if a group has belaying experience. Climbing gear at the location is limited, so we encourage participants to bring their own climbing shoes or ask about rentals from the indoor rock gym.
Sports Field
Available during the warmer months, our 81,000 sq-ft sports field is ideal for soccer, kickball, Frisbee or group activities such as team building and name games. This fenced-in, grass field is located at Sky Valley Ranch, adjacent to Wyly Lodge and walking distance from nearby cabins. For inspiration, we have a nearby shed with a selection of sports balls, cones and other supplies for outdoor games. For sports team rentals, we encourage teams to bring their own gear.
