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In this episode, we explore the art of balancing group dynamics and safety when belaying on a ropes course while also respecting the participants awareness of tasks that are purely for behavior management.

Notes from Lisa Hunt.\\xa0 This exchange happened somewhere back around 2001, and I wrote it up shortly thereafter with Ken\\u2019s input:

The question of how to engage the most number of students at a time on a challenge course is one that is often raised in workshops.\\xa0 A common approach is involving people (students) in the tasks of operations to \\u201ckeep them busy.\\u201d\\xa0 Years ago, my co-leader during a workshop differentiated\\xa0 these tasks as \\u201creal jobs\\u201d and \\u201cfake jobs,\\u201d and challenged participants to consider the implications of both on student behavior and growth, as well as program quality over all.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0

That co-leader is Ken Demas,\\xa0 Veteran Physical Education teacher, former Project Adventure Trainer, coach, Board Chair at NYSAHPERD,\\xa0Coordinator of Adventure and an Associate Prof. at Hofstra University\\xa0\\xa0\\u2013 an important mentor to me.\\xa0 That conversation has come with me to so many subsequent workshops, and I wanted to go back to the source to hear more about Ken\\u2019s experience and thoughts.\\xa0 He has generously expanded this question here:\\xa0

Fake Jobs\\u2014Real Jobs:

As you may recall, one of the things I did for about 16-17 years, was to act as a consultant for NY Insurance Reciprocal.\\xa0 One of the adventure cases I reviewed involved too many spotters, not too few. In an effort to involve more students at low elements, teachers would over involve students in spotting jobs.\\xa0 One case in particular occurred at the rear of the \\u201cWall\\u201d. The teacher had used it as the culminating activity for the low element portion of the adventure unit. Because the entire class was involved, the teacher had placed 6 spotters at the ladder at the rear of the Wall.\\xa0 When a student started to descend, she missed the step and fell backwards. Everyone was responsible and at the same time no one was responsible. No one moved. Too crowded?? Not engaged?? Not important enough??

Too many involved and therefore not a REAL JOB.\\xa0 Students need to be invested in the job. See a real need for it.\\xa0 Understand that what they are doing is important to the success and safety of the individual or individuals involve.\\xa0 Too many spotters diminishes the significance of what they are doing.\\xa0\\xa0

With this concept in mind, we fall into the same problem when we assemble a belay team.\\xa0 A belayer, a back-up and when needed, an anchor should be more than adequate to manage a climber.\\xa0 My least favorite bogus job is that of rope tender. I fully understand that it might look like a real job, but the kids know it is not.\\xa0 Has anyone taught the rope handler how to coil the rope or flake it out so that when the climber descends it does not foul in the hands of the belayer?\\xa0 Probably not. Couldn\\u2019t the back-up do this job if taught properly?

The use of the Australian Back-up Belay involve kids in Real Jobs.\\xa0 The facilitator as a ropes course manager, can engage more students in a meaningful way.\\xa0 Properly trained belayers can determine whether or not the need an anchor. What weight differential is needed?\\xa0 How does their position, whether near or far, alter the shear on the belay system and therefore alter resistance.\\xa0 Make the job more than that of a counter weight. When the manager has competently train belayers, they have the opportunity to open more activities and thus engage more students.\\xa0

A good technique I used, required that student to make journal entries right after completing a climb.\\xa0 Belayers were also encouraged to make entries during class.

Course design should be considered.\\xa0 I mixed Australian with traditional belays.\\xa0 Grigri set-up with competent kids and teams and I would belay Pamper pole events.\\xa0 I was always positioned to see and control whichever elements were being used. Some folks might find this overwhelming.\\xa0 But, my department at the middle school found that it worked.

Note from Lisa:

Ken Demas passed away in May of 2017.\\xa0 He was a \\u201conce in a lifetime\\u201d kind of mentor.\\xa0 At his memorial service, I met so many people who saw him in that same light.\\xa0 He is deeply missed, and his adventuresome spirit and his questions of me continue to help me grow.\\xa0

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

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