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Published on 08/24/1998 All articles from this issue

Students learn the 'ropes'

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

High schools program promotes teamwork, appreciation of differences

Balancing herself on a rope 25 feet above the ground, Alex Coonce struggled to walk from one pole to another while a three-member team helped guide her from the ground with a rope connected to her body harness.

"Just don't look down," someone yelled. "She might need more slack in her rope," another said. Others silently looked on, anticipating her descent.

Terrified of heights, the Mountain View High School junior said she concentrated on how to get across the ropes course - called the Heebie Jeebie - as quickly as possible and "just get down."

Once on the ground, she said, "I think I'm over my fear of heights."

For Coonce and her teammates, walking the rope proved to be a successful lesson in teamwork, self-esteem and trust.

"I didn't think I would be able to do it at first, but I knew this was something I had to do to get over my fear. I decided that I was going to live by the motto, 'Seize the day.' Besides, I trust these guys. I knew they'd be OK to help me up," she said about her teammates, whom she had met only three hours earlier.

Mountain View High freshman Kelsey Finkelstein said she merely came to meet more friends. She left energized and with plans to serve on the school's student council, she said.

Coonce and Finkelstein were among approximately 80 students from Mountain View and Los Altos high schools who participated in the Challenge Learning Center's leadership training course at Hidden Villa preserve in Los Altos Hills last week. The students represented all class levels and various campus associations.

Although students from the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District take part in leadership programs annually, this is the first year they participated as a group in a leadership program of this kind. School officials say they hope the program will improve the student dynamics on each campus.

"What we're really aiming for is that the students gain a greater appreciation of the diverse group of kids that comprise their schools. These students can hopefully pass on what they've learned here to other students," said Roy Lave, chairman of Los Altos Community Foundation, the organization that contributed $5,000 to build the ropes course earlier this year and another $3,600 in program fees for participating students.

"Every kid I've seen go through this kind of program, comes away different. You can just see the change," said board member Judy Hannemann. Hannemann said students seem more confident and able to mix more easily with students outside of their own cultural cliques.

Through the one-day program, students break into small groups and take part in a series of trust-building activities that range from simple problem-solving games, such as how to balance 12 people on a small beam concurrently; how to get each team member to touch a tennis ball under a three-second time limit; and how to shape a rope into a square while blindfolded; to walking on a rope 25 feet above the ground.

Barry Tonge, executive director of the Challenge Learning Center in Mountain View, said the program is "all about challenges, finding the edges of your comfort zone. (Those are) not always physical boundaries, but emotional ones, too."

Tonge said he and the other counselors encourage students to challenge themselves by approaching situations in ways they normally wouldn't. If someone is usually a leader, for example, counselors ask that person to be a follower for the day, he said. Tonge said through this process, the activities provide the opportunity for various levels of understanding.

"I think this works because it's really a unique experience for them. They can't just walk off of the street and experience all of this. This is definitely something that they will talk about for a long, long, long time," Tonge said.

Tonge said the program also provides a safe and positive way for people to communicate by establishing certain ways of communication and a comfortable place for people to express their ideas.

"Sometimes kids come together who speak different languages, communicate in different ways," he said. "It's easy to put down someone in a heartbeat, but we promote positive ways for them to support one another and gain a greater understanding of one another."

During each activity, students follow an established routine of communication. Before ascending the power pole for the ropes course, for example, the climber must say "climbing," and the teammates must respond with "climb on."

Tonge said he rarely encounters anyone criticizing another teammate by the end of the program. He said students learn quickly that put-downs, called "zingers," can have a huge impact on others as well as on the activities. A person may choose not to climb because of a zinger, he said.

Rich Fischer, superintendent of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, said he's a "real fan" of this type of program because "the chemistry by the end is so obvious. The real strength of this type of program is team building and supporting one another. It's not about competition, but more about cooperation.

"My first experience with it was 15 years ago in Santa Cruz. I was so impressed. The kids thought they had nothing in common, but within a very short time, they were talking about all of the things they had in common. I think it really brings kids together in a common way who may not typically talk to one another, and it encourages them to break into small groups of friends they normally would not associate with."

Tonge said this type of program is gaining popularity not only in schools, but in businesses, too. He said the program is hands-on, outdoors, and for most, provides a lasting imprint. He said the Challenge Learning Center organizes about 50 programs a year for nonprofit groups and schools.

Tonge said about 85 percent of those taking part in the program complete the high ropes activities. He said although the activity is challenging, injuries are rare. All climbers must wear a helmet and a body harness. Three teammates must always be present to hold the safety rope.

Back at Mountain View High the next day, Fischer said he could spot those students who had participated in the course.

"They showed that feeling of unity," he said.

Fischer said if the students participate in other activities throughout the year that reinforce things learned in the program, the experience could be very effective and could trickle down throughout the student body.

"Anything we participate in that brings the diversity of school together and puts students in a common setting and helps them see that have more in common than separates them, that in itself is very valuable," he said.

Tonge said he often tells students, "Just imagine if your school was a 'zinger-free' zone. It could happen."