Experiential education in climbing parks

Are you looking for an adventure that not only challenges your body, but also your mind? Climbing parks and high ropes courses offer more than just sporting activities – they are places for experiential education, personal development and a sense of community. In this article, you will learn how these unique environments can help you to surpass yourself, overcome fears and develop important social skills.

Experiential education in climbing parks: more than just climbing

What is experiential education?

K. Reich from the University of Cologne provides a good explanation. Quote: “Experiential education is an action-oriented method that originally found its way into schools as a counter-movement to “cerebral” learning. It is now mainly used in extracurricular activities, particularly in youth work. The offers are just as diverse as the possible target groups. The majority of programs are aimed at young people, but there are also offers for adult education, in the therapeutic field or for people with disabilities, for example. So far, nature sports activities have predominated, but urban programs that aim to open up the city as an adventure space (e.g. City Bound) are also gaining more attention. Experiential education elements are also being used in schools – especially in sports, on excursions and sometimes also in “normal” lessons.” You can download the complete study from the University of Cologne here.

The basics of experiential education in the climbing park

Experiential education in the climbing park uses the challenges of climbing to teach important life skills. It’s not just about the physical act of climbing, but about what you learn about yourself and your interaction with others. Climbing parks provide an ideal platform to build confidence, teamwork and self-esteem in a supportive and challenging environment. Experiential education offers the following opportunities:

• Group interactions
• Understanding group conflicts
• Dealing with physical performance
• Lasting effect through direct experiences

Especially in a group, a trip to a climbing forest is a very special experience for children and young people. They learn to deal with conflicts and develop self-esteem through interaction tasks. This allows everyone to contribute their individual skills, consciously get to know their limits and experience success. A great program item for school trips too. Many climbing parks offer courses ranging from two-hour basic courses to full-day programs.

Important topics in the programs are:

• Solving problems as a team
• Compliance with rules
• Recognizing and accepting fears
• Develop your own strategies
• Positive motivation
• Lead and be led
• Divide forces
• Importance of communication
• Develop your own strategies
• Positive motivation
• Recognizing and accepting fears

Specially trained supervisors are on hand with help and advice for all tasks.

Practical application of experiential education

In climbing parks, you are confronted with situations that require teamwork. You learn to rely on your team members as you navigate your way through various courses. These experiences not only strengthen your team spirit, but also your self-confidence, as you overcome challenges that you may have thought impossible.

The following topics can be learned in the climbing park as examples:

• Securing technique and knots
• Climb into the treetops on a variety of courses
• Enjoy the thrill of a giant swing
• roam the dense forest on a treasure hunt
• Mastering team tasks together
• try your hand at archery with a bow and arrow
• Balance on the slackline
• rest in tents and hammocks at the base camp
• Experience nature with all your senses

In discussion and reflection rounds, the experiences are deepened and made conscious. Exercises and activities lead to experiences that are also useful for the participants’ everyday life and coping with life.

Climbing parks specializing in team climbing

Below I have compiled a list of 20 climbing parks and high ropes courses that have special offers for adventure education and team building in their program. Most of these climbing parks can only be booked for groups by prior arrangement. Through experiential educational tasks, helpfulness, cooperation and team spirit, trust and endurance can be challenged and encouraged.

Climbing park name	Federal state	Address	Phone	eMail	Website
Boxberg Nature and Adventure Park	Baden-Württemberg	Zum Waldseilgarten 1, 97944 Boxberg	+49 7930 327 30 31	info@waldseilgarten-boxberg.de	waldseilgarten-boxberg.de
Forest ropes course Freiburg	Baden-Württemberg	Opfingerstraße 190, 79111 Freiburg	+49 1573 1999533	sophie.guertler@waldseilgarten-freiburg.de	waldseilgarten-freiburg.de
Outdoorpark CVJM Karlsruhe	Baden-Württemberg	Nowackanlage 5, 76137 Karlsruhe	+49 1575-3296388	info@outdoorpark.de	outdoorpark.com
Ropes course Mannheim	Baden-Württemberg	Im Pfeifferswörth, 68305 Mannheim-Feudenheim	+49 621 28 000 489	tanja.wuerges@kbz.ekiba.de	seilgarten-mannheim.de
Active Park Bergheide	Baden-Württemberg	Bergheide 4, 70376 Stuttgart	+49 711 814 300	aktivparkbergheide@caritas-stuttgart.de	caritas-stuttgart.de
Waldenburg Vocational College	Baden-Württemberg	Eichenstraße 11-13, 74638 Waldenburg	+49 7942 912 130	info@ipg-waldenburg.de	bk-waldenburg.de
Silvestria climbing forest	Baden-Württemberg	Almosenberg, 97877 Wertheim-Dertingen	+49 151 57350409	info@kletterwald-silvestria.de	kletterwald-silvestria.de
Altmühltal climbing park	Bavaria	Bräuhausstraße 36, 92339 Beilngries	+49 8461 602990	info@altmuehltaler-abenteuerpark.de	altmuehltaler-abenteuerpark.de
Climbing park Wallenhausen	Bavaria	Habsburgerstr. 59, 89264 Wallenhausen	+49 7309 425959	info@waldseilgarten-wallenhausen.de	waldseilgarten-wallenhausen.de
Rope course Lesum	Bremen	Holthorster Weg, 28717 Bremen-Lesum		info@seilgarten-lesum.de	seilgartenlesum.de
Forest ropes course Laubfrosch	Hesse	Vogelsbergstraße 90, 63654 Büdingen	+49 641 96618921		come-out.org
High ropes course Wölfersheimer See	Hesse	Neuhofstraße 28, 60318 Frankfurt	+49 6036 988844	admin@hochseilgarten-woelfersheimersee.de	high ropes course-woelfersheimersee.de
Taunatours high ropes course	Hesse	Limesstraße 14, 61389 Schmitten im Taunus	+49 6082 92410	info@tauna-tours.de	tauna-tours.com
High ropes course in Neukloster	Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania	Klosterhof 2, 23992 Neukloster	+49 38422 25482	kontakt@jugendscheune-neukloster.de	schweriner-see.de
Hanover ropes course	Lower Saxony	Ferdinandstr. 7, 30175 Hanover	+49 511 53 07 81 45	info@kej-hannover.de	seilgarten-hannover.de
Ropes course Salzgitter	Lower Saxony	Otto-Hahn-Ring, 38228 Salzgitter-Lebenstedt		info@seilgarten-salzgitter.de	seilgarten-salzgitter.de
High ropes course Dülmen	North Rhine-Westphalia	Lüdinghauser Str. 101, 48249 Dülmen	+49 2861 8040920	kbw-borken@bistum-muenster.de	high ropes course-duelmen.de
High ropes course Recklinghausen	North Rhine-Westphalia	Lülfstraße 69, 45665 Recklinghausen	+49 2361 979 86 38	info@hochseilgarten-re.de	bauspielfarm-re.de
High ropes course Erlebniswerkstatt Saar	High ropes course Erlebniswerkstatt Saar	Kirchstrasse 1, 54441 Taben-Rodt	+49 6582 914044	info@erlebniswerkstatt-saar.de	erlebniswerkstatt-saar.de
High ropes course Malente	Schleswig-Holstein	Cycle country views, 23714 Malente	+49 4523 403605	info@bottervogel.de	bottervogel.de

Map of climbing parks for team climbing in Germany

The following map clearly shows the climbing parks for adventure education and team building. In numerous tasks and exercises at different heights and with different types of safety equipment, the group and each individual participant can overcome boundaries and have lots of fun.

Video: Learning between heaven and earth

Requirements for experiential education in climbing parks

Declaration of consent

The use of the safety equipment provided and attendance at the safety briefing are prerequisites for the activities. A declaration of consent (signed by a parent or guardian in the case of minors) must usually be submitted beforehand. The other requirements in the climbing park regarding minimum age, minimum height and maximum weight must of course also be met.

Dealing with fear of heights in climbing parks and high ropes courses

Understanding and overcoming fear of heights

Fear of heights, or acrophobia, is a widespread fear that can be particularly noticeable in climbing parks. It is important to understand that fear of heights can be overcome, especially in a controlled environment such as a climbing park where safety is paramount.

Fear of heights in the climbing park: a step-by-step approach

Start with lower and easier courses to slowly get used to the height. Climbing parks often offer different levels of difficulty, allowing you to overcome your fear at your own pace. The supervisors at climbing parks are trained to help you and offer support if you need it.

Instructors and helpers in climbing parks: indispensable support

The role of supervisors and rescuers in climbing parks:
Supervisors and rescuers in climbing parks are not only responsible for your safety, but also for ensuring that you have a positive and enriching experience. They are specially trained to provide guidance, check safety equipment and offer support and encouragement when needed.

Safety and supervision in the climbing park:
Safety in climbing parks is guaranteed by strict standards and constant supervision by professional staff. Before you start climbing, you will receive a thorough briefing to ensure that you use the equipment correctly and understand the safety rules.

Conclusion: Climbing parks as a platform for growth and community

Climbing parks and high ropes courses offer much more than just physical activity. They are unique environments where you can develop important life skills, overcome fears and experience a strong sense of community. Whether you climb alone, with friends or as part of a team event, the experiences you have in a climbing park can be life-changing.

Take the opportunity to face new challenges, push your limits and create unforgettable memories. A visit to a climbing park not only offers fun and adventure, but also the chance to grow and learn in a supportive environment. Pack your sense of adventure and discover the many opportunities that climbing parks and high ropes courses offer for personal development and teamwork.

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