High School Challenge
chall•enge v. 1. a summons to take part in a contest or trial of strength. b. a summons to prove or justify something. 2a a demanding or difficult task b a difficult but stimulating task
History
The concept of High School Challenge dates back to 1977when one high school in New Brunswick took two dozen students for four days and nights to a remote wilderness venue and allowed them to experience extreme adventure in a controlled, professional and safe environment. The idea has persisted, and for each year since, CHALLENGE has attracted students from many interests. The CHALLENGES have become legendary, and today there are countless adults who remember the valuable experiences and who make certain their own children take the opportunity to attend the annual event. The setting has changed venues over the years, and now is at the New Brunswick Adventure Challenge Site at Cape Enrage. Now included in the program are kayaking, rappelling, climbing, wilderness camping, initiative games, outdoor cooking - all centered around team building concepts. Challenges are currently held in the spring, during the months of May and June. The spaces are limited and there are already schools that have made Challenge a tradition. We suggest that you book the event very early to be assured of a place.
When Can We Come?
Challenges run each Wednesday evening through Sunday noon of May each year. Places are usually taken a year in advance so you will need to talk to us early.
Who Can Come?
Any student in high school. We cannot provide these experiences for handicapped students in most cases. Participants must be physically fit and willing to adapt to extreme environments, demanding working conditions and extremely high expectations. It is not a "buffet" experience; those who come participate in every aspect of the program. It is designed to challenge each person to his or her limit. All activities are safe and well-supervised, but every physical activity has risks and we do not suggest that nothing can go wrong, but our penchant for safety has resulted in 31 years free from injury to our participants. That's an impressive record that we intend to perpetuate.
How Is It Organized?
Typically, a school sends a group of 36 - 60 chosen students whom they feel will benefit most from the program. These are usually high-spirited, high-achieving, highly-motivated students whom the teachers feel are ready for the ultimate challenge. Literature is provided by Cape Enrage to give to the students and their parents. Registration kits with packing lists, time lines, personal expectations and sample itinerary are all provided by Cape Enrage once the school has indicated a serious commitment to the event. A telephone call to us will initiate the process.
What Is the School's Responsibility?
Using the registration kit, a teacher in the school assumes the role of organizer. Constant communication with us will help to keep things on track. At some point in the season, we will send a Challenge Leader to your school to meet with staff and with students who are registered to attend. The school must provide at least one male teacher and one female teacher to accompany the students. Those teachers are required to be with the students at all times - not necessarily participating, but at least in contact with how things are going and available to assist our own leaders in routine chores. The school must provide transportation to and from the event for their students. Participants will arrive at 6 PM on Wednesday evening, having had their evening meal since activities begin as soon as they arrive.
What's a Typical Day?
0700 Awake and Warm Up Activities
0730 Breakfast and Cleanup
0830 Group Organization and Lunch Packing
0900 Activities Begin
Group A Rappelling
Group B Climbing
Group C Kayaking
1600 Activities Cease for Gear Cleanup
1700 Supper
1830 Evening Games Begin
2200 Debriefing at Chignecto House
2300 Lights Out
*Weather, tides and size of groups determine the precise timings and arrangements of a given day.
What Does Cape Enrage Provide?
We provide all equipment , food and accommodation. Accommodation varies - first year participants sleep at Lanterns which have 22 bunk beds each with no mattress while senior participants sleep in tents or tent deck on flat platforms. Bring your own sleeping pad for insulation and "comfort". Participants are required to use Cape equipment in all adventures for insurance reasons. Cape Enrage carries three million liability insurance but each person is required to sign a liability waiver.
How Much Does It Cost?
The price is $200 + HST per person. Payment is preferred by school cheque. One cheque of $500.00 is required to confirm the booking. It is refundable until February 15th. The remainder is due with the signed waivers upon arrival. And, by the way, the same program in the summer is priced at $558.58
LIABILITY WAIVERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL ADVENTURES
Our standard liability waiver is required for all Adventures at Cape Enrage and may not be signed by those under 19 years of age. Youth up to 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or legal guardian. The standard waiver may be downloaded, copied and signed before your arrival. Click here for the waiver [pdf file]
Terms and Conditions
All adventures require that the participant pay upon arrival and sign a standard liability waiver. Participants who are not yet 19 years of age must have the waiver signed by a parent. Bookings are guaranteed by a 25% deposit made by Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, cheque or cash. Non-guaranteed bookings will be honoured when space is available. All adventures are somewhat weather dependent and may have to be canceled if safety is compromised. Deposits will be refunded if Cape Enrage has to cancel for any reason. If a booking is made, it is helpful if the participant calls to confirm on or near the date of the adventure - and especially helpful if the participant must cancel. Please register at the Whistle House gift shop upon arrival. Since tides dictate all our adventure times, being on time is critical. Due to insurance requirements, participants must be accompanied by an adventure staff and may not use their own equipment.
