Hanging around: Rope World a swingin’ time for kids

Katy Sinclair Parental Units

M idway through the 19-day winter break, I had this clanging around my head: Scooby Doo, where are you? We didn’t turn on the TV right away; I had some educational “opportunities” for Big Girl E. But I didn’t plan enough to keep her busy. So I turned to The Doo for some peace and quiet. We both were ready for school to start again.

Michelle Rudland, 2, slides down the rope.Rope World at Rocky Mountain Elementary School in Longmont. Cliff Grassmick photo.

Another eagerly anticipated event? The return of Rope World. Though I just discovered this gem in November, we are huge fans.

Located inside Rocky Mountain Elementary’s gymnasium, Rope World reminds me of a military obstacle course. Kids swing, pull, hang, crawl, climb and balance using ropes, ladders, and even a zip line.

The program’s founder, former physical-education teacher Dan Higgins, started it as a P.E. unit at Rocky Mountain about 30 years ago. A few years in, with lots of help from parents and volunteers, he opened it up to the public as an after-school activity.

Safety is a priority for Higgins and the current Rocky Mountain P.E. teacher, Alejandro Masias. Padding is everywhere, both men monitor the kids and there is a mandatory lecture about the Rope World rules of engagement.

Higgins is direct. His exact words at our session: “Hear this voice? There’s no patience. You better listen or you are out.” I appreciated the warning. Goofing around during a Rope World session could earn a kid a trip to the emergency room.

The warnings did not curb the attendees’ enthusiasm, judging by the squeals that bounced around the gym and left my ears ringing.

At first, Big Girl E was a little overwhelmed by the set-up. She was concerned she wouldn’t make it past the first station she saw, which was a rope-climb up a slanted 8-foot wall. Fortunately, there is no right way to participate. After E tried to climb the wall a few times, she gave up and moved on to a balance beam.

My favorite part of Rope World is how it challenges the children mentally and physically. I watched one boy struggle on a floor-to-ceiling rope climb. He kept losing his grip halfway up. With his parents’ encouragement and some key tips from Higgins, he kept at it and finally rang the bell at the top. I can still see the huge grin he flashed his mom when he stepped away from the rope.

While many of the stations are geared for older children, such as Big Girl E’s favorite, the zip line, toddlers are allowed. Baby Girl A wasn’t as impressed as E was with most of the apparatuses. She did enjoy jumping on the mats but I had to stay vigilant with her; she almost got clobbered by swinging ropes several times. A tip for toddler parents: Steer your wee one over to the climbing wall area where a wall of padding helps keep them corralled.

Another good tip: Bring water and a post-Rope World snack. My girls were famished, and my unpreparedness meant The Whine Chorus serenaded me during the 8-minute drive home. Save yourself. Bring a snack.

For more information on Rope World, visit http://ropeworldfun.wordpress.com/
Contact Katy Sinclair at KatySinclair09@gmail.com.