Reality-Oriented Physical Experiential Services (ROPES)

The ROPES Program is an innovative form of therapy that uses the power of action oriented experiences to help participants make positive changes in their lives. With a variety of group and individual activities on a specially designed obstacle course, ROPES challenges participants to master unusual tasks. At first these task seem impossible to accomplish, but in fact become fun and enjoyable to complete. A primary goal of ROPES is to place individuals in physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding situations where skills of cooperation, problem-solving, goal-setting, and self awareness are rapidly developed. Each ROPES event encourages participants to deal with an issue in the “here-and-now,” such as problems communicating with others or a need to feel successful. A high level of fitness or physical ability is not required to participate in ROPES. What is more important is each individual’s willingness to get involved, to share, and to take appropriate risks with other group members.

THE ROPES COURSE

The ROPES course consists of cables, ropes, pulleys, and wood beams set between utility poles. Three types of activity areas are included in the ROPES course:

Group Initiative Area

Initiative events are used to challenge a small group of individuals to work together to achieve tasks that initially seem impossible. The process enables each individual to contribute to the group effort. For example, one initiative called “The Wall” challenges group members to help each other over a 12-foot-high wall.

Low ROPES Activities

Built close to the ground, these low activity areas provide individuals and small teams with situations that require coordinated physical, emotional, and thoughtful effort. From these experiences, participants develop a better sense of personal control and determination resulting in enhanced self-esteem and confidence as well as interdependence and trust in others.

High ROPES Activities

These events require the individual’s choice and commitment to attempt a series of events approximately 32- feet in the air. The activities build upon the positive attitudes developed on the low ROPES course but are primarily designed to encourage initiative and appropriate risk-taking, and to provide participants with feelings of accomplishment. Other group members provide support and encouragement from below.

The ROPES Experience

The ROPES activities are based upon “Challenge by Choice” where participants have the ultimate right and responsibility to choose their own level of challenged involvement.

Preparation

The ROPES facilitator plans a ROPES session that addresses each individual’s needs and goals. The participant’s health history is reviewed so that appropriate activities can be planned around any physical limitations or recurring medical problems.

Sequence of Events

ROPES activities are presented in a sequence of increasingly challenging events which help participants gradually gain greater self-confidence. Individuals begin with activities on the low-level course. As they learn to trust themselves and their fellow participants, they work up to the more challenging activities.

Size of Group

Generally, the ROPES groups are small, consisting of 16-20 participants. Often these individuals share common goals.

Discussions and Follow-up

An important aspect of the ROPES process is group discussion. Before, during, and after each session, the ROPES facilitator leads participants in discussion of the group’s achievements and experiences on the ROPES course. During this time, participants are encouraged to draw conclusions, gain new insights, and make personal discoveries.

An Experience of Lasting Value

ROPES is often called a “metaphor for life” because many of the ROPES activities blend physical challenges with imaginative scenarios that can be related to real-life situations.

The following skills and insights gained from ROPES often have direct, beneficial application to daily life:

• A more positive self-image and enhanced self-esteem
• Effective teamwork and cooperation
• Improved communication and listening skills
• Willingness to take appropriate risks
• An ability to set and achieve goals
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Feelings of accomplishment and success

In addition, participants experience these benefits in a supportive and rewarding atmosphere with other group members.

Kāhi Mōhala Behavioral Health also offers this program to community groups and businesses looking for alternative team-building or leadership exercises for their employees.

For more information on the ROPES Program, please contact the Kāhi Mōhala ROPES Instructor at (808) 671-8511.