Ropes courses

Includes

High ropes
Low ropes
Assault course
Leap of faith
Trapeze
Jacobs ladder
Similar activities involving high wires & ropes.

Description

A purpose-built assault course often constructed in trees. Courses vary in height and level of challenge and are popular for personal development and team-building.

Forms

An Information and Consent for Event/Activity form is required to participate in this activity.

Who can participate?

Open to all.

Some activity providers may have age or height restrictions.

Ratio of adults to girls

Normal ratios for activities away from the meeting place are required. Guiding Manual ratios

Regulations

The Leader must ensure that all participants under 18 have written permission to take part from an adult with parental responsibility.
The local Commissioner must be informed that the activity is taking place.
Carry out a risk assessment for the activity.
When using a commercial activity provider, ensure it is reputable. You can verify the quality of a provider by checking it has one of the following endorsements: AALA, Adventuremark or LotC Quality Badge for Adventure.

The above endorsements are not applicable in Northern Ireland, where you should ask your local Outdoor Activities Adviser to recommend an approved provider.

Instructor qualifications

Required qualifications and experience will depend on the nature of the particular course. To ensure that instructors are appropriately skilled for the course, use a commercial provider which is reputable. Ask your Outdoor Activities Adviser for recommendations and/or make enquiries with the centre as to the nature of their instructors’ training and qualifications.

For High Ropes courses: The instructors for the course must have been assessed by a person who holds an MLTUK MIA or MIC, or an ERCA Trainer qualification. Contact activities@girlguiding.org.uk for further guidance.

High Ropes course safety guidelines

Members carrying out High Ropes Activities should only use centres where the High Ropes course and system has been ‘signed off’ by a person who holds an MLTUK MIA or MIC who also acts as Technical Advisor for the centre’s high ropes course. Any exceptional circumstances should be referred to the Girlguiding UK Climbing Technical Advisor. Contact activities@girlguiding.org.uk for further guidance.

Useful information

Visit the course prior to booking the activity if possible, and liaise with the activity provider to ensure the difficulty level of the course is appropriate to the participants.