The program was funded in 1998 from a state education grant. While Challenge Education is administered through the special-services cooperative, it is not a special education program, Borders says. It is offered to all students, staff and the community. It can be tailored to fit a classroom, an athletic team or a corporate group. The curriculum starts in the classroom with awareness activities.
Students find out more about each other and learn how groups can work together as a whole.
They move on to trust-building activities and communication while learning to cooperate and solve problems as a group. Once the group has progressed through the steps, the members are ready for the course. Warning signs will be posted to deter unauthorized people from using the equipment. Even if trespassers persist, says Borders, the challenge for them would be to shinny up 18 feet of steel to reach the first level. The course, approved by Hamilton Southeastern School Board Monday, will be built once permits are obtained from the town.