The Challenge Course at the Toldo Lancer Centre offers valuable lessons to participants, says facilitator Adetomiwa Ishola, a master of education student.

“As they take on these challenges, they learn leadership skills, communication skills, and teamwork,” she says. “We try to teach them in a way the students can understand.”

The course hosted dozens of students from Holy Names Catholic High School on Oct. 30. Besides the outside activities, they toured labs and learning facilities in the Human Kinetics Building. Professor Adriana Duquette, acting head of the Department of Kinesiology, explained the variety of paths for teaching and research undertaken by its faculty.

“Even local students are not necessarily exposed to everything we have to offer here,” she says. “Bringing them in gives us a chance to demonstrate so they gain a better understanding of the teaching and research that we do.”

Chris Spadafora (B.Ed 2022) teaches hospitality and tourism at Holy Names. He says the day’s activities were a good fit for his students.

“Teamwork and co-operation — these are all things we do in our classes,” he says “I try to stress to them these are life skills they will take with them.”

And Grade 10 student Patrick Abou El Ella says the lessons hit home.

“When you’re trying to balance on a log, you have to work with your assigned partner no matter who they are,” he says. “If you’re trying to go one way and they’re going another, that’s not going to work.”

He says the key takeaway for him is: “In a work environment, you have to be able to work with everyone.”

The Challenge Course, now in its third year of operation, has hosted more than 60 groups and 3,000 participants. Elementary and high schools, University groups, sports teams, and businesses have all used the course for team building, enhancing such skills as strategizing, problem solving, trust, leadership, and delegation. To book a session, visit the Lancer Recreation website.