Adventure Based Ropes Course:

"Trust Falls"

Every spring, summer and fall The Amherst Police Department conducts an Adventured Based Ropes Course at the Notch Visitors Center in South Amherst. This Ropes Course is completely run and facilitated by the men and women of the Amherst Police Department. All Officers have volunteered and have been selected from within the department to represent the Amherst Police as facilitators. Officers and participants are able to interact in this truly unique setting.  All Amherst Police ropes course instructors spend a minimum of 80  hours at the High Five Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vermont learning how to become Ropes Course facilitators. Also, some Officers have attended an additional 4 days of advanced/rescue type training at the High Five Adventure learning center.

 Why an Adventure Based Ropes Course?

One of our high elements called "two ships cross in the night"

The Amherst Police Department is committed to our community and the benefits of the community policing philosophy.  Our goal in operating the Adventure Based Ropes Challenge Course is to strengthen our relationship, enhance communication, and build bridges with the community we serve.  The Ropes Challenge course offers a unique interaction between the police officers of the Town of Amherst and the community that they serve.   The challenge course allows citizens of all ages to see the officers as teachers, mentors and team members.  It also allows the police officers to see the community in a different venue.  In addition to building a positive relationship between the police and the community, our objective is to use the Ropes Challenge Course and its accompanying curriculum to promote self-discovery, the development of social skills, mutual respect, fair play, and sportsmanship while encouraging friendship and camaraderie between the members of the group we host.   It is by using a Ropes Challenge Course program which is based on a combination of recreation, education and development that will assist us in achieving our goals and objectives. Nationally, Ropes based challenge courses have an outstanding safety record.  We have hosted youth sports teams, Amherst Pelham Regional School classes of all ages, youth organizations and local College organizations such as the American International College Women’s basketball div. 2 National runners up "Lady Yellow jackets".

All Groups and Organizations from throughout the area are welcome and encouraged to challenge themselves at our ropes course. The programs we offer to the Town of Amherst groups (public schools, town sports teams and youth groups) is largely funded by Community Policing grants. This money is awarded to the Amherst Police Department by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety.  Organizations not associated with the Town of Amherst (such as private corporations,  local colleges and other communities schools) are more then welcome at our course, but are required to pay a fee to cover the costs of the facilitators and equipment maintenance. This fee varies based upon what type of challenges your group wants to try and also the size of the group. We have an assortment of challenges available for you to choose, wheather you are looking for high or low elements we can accommodate whatever kind of adventure day you are looking for.   

• Challenge yourself

• Build everlasting bonds with your team or organization

• Experience teamwork in its truest form.

• Promote self discovery.

• Enhance motivation                                       

Safety First!

CONTACT INFO:

 The contact Officers for this program are Officer W.Laramee and Officer R. Arocho. The Officer in charge of this program (OIC) is Lt. J.Gundersen. Please feel free to email any of these officers with your questions or comments. You can also leave them a voice mail by calling 413-259-3008.

Important Info: Click below to read and print our ropes release form.

Release Form

"Swinging Tires"