Typical questions

The following are questions often asked about the Climbing/COPE program:

• What is "COPE"?
• Stands for "Challenging, Outdoor Personal Experience"
• Acronym fails to get across idea; program is BSA version of corporate team building offerings
• BSA program offering is affordable and available to all ages of BSA members (Cubs, Webelos, Scouts, Varsity, Venturers, adults).
• COPE is appropriate whenever a unit changes its composition (youth leaders "graduate", new youth or adult members join, adult leaders leave).
• COPE facilitators are trained and experienced in helping groups transition through the Tuckman's Group Dynamics model (forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning/reforming).
• Where it would/could occur?
• Goshen
• 2.5 to 3 hr trip from DC area (Goshen, VA)
• 14 low/medium, 9 high
• Typically for summer camp and extended weekend; committee is developing off-season offering
• Program can be in conjunction with Climbing
• Snyder
• Easy access to DC area (Haymarket, VA)
• 8 low, 7 high
• Year-round offering; typical sessions are one-day weekend (Saturday or Sunday)
• Location for facilitator training
• Climbing program uses for carpool staging
• Mobile climbing tower training and operations
• Initiative games are portable, some could be done indoors; "DIY" materials are available
• What the cost would be?
• Two, main offerings: sessions for participants and training of facilitators
• Sessions:
• Half-day (ice breakers to low elements): $20/person
• Full-day (half-day program ending in high elements): $30/person
• Facilitator training:
• Level 1 training: enables faciliators to offer COPE sessions. Minimum ratios are 12:1 (participant:trained) for low elements; 6:1 for high elements. Training is available to adults (at least 21), and to youth who are at least 16 (or 14 if a registered Venturer). Details are in Standard SQ-409 of the National Camp Standards (NCS).
• Level 2: at least one currently trained Level 2 adult must be on-site in order to open a COPE course; training is available through Council. Responsible for ensuring offered program complies with all relevant standards (e.g., NCS (National Camp Standards), Association of Challenge Course Technologies (ACCT), and local).
• Director: optional role for opening a COPE course; training is only available from National Camp School (requires Council to approve attending and provide scholarship). Training is good for 5 years (ending on 31 Dec of year preceeding 5th year).
• How much time it would require?
• Minimum: half-day (9 am-12 pm or 1-4 pm)
• Most popular:9 am-12 pm introduction through low elements, 1-4 pm trust games, low elements, high elements (confidence building), comprehensive reflection with outbriefing of troop staff for follow-on
• How do I arrange a session?
• We prefer for units to contact the Camp Snyder staff (Eileen Walters) and request they reach out to the COPE/Climbing staff to arrange a session. In most cases, units use a COPE session as part of a campout event, and arrange a camp site or cabin at Camp Snyder. If only a day trip, Camp Snyder will be ready to check in the unit.
• The COPE/Climbing staff would contact you for details on your session (your expectations and what you need to achieve). Be sure the Camp Snyder staff has a point of contact, good e-mail address, phone number, and messaging preferences. The Climbing/COPE program manager can be reached via voice or text at 202.810.5843.
• The Committee is considering setting dates from which units could pick. Currently, sessions are by appointment.