CAMPING | C.O.P.E.

Challenge Outdoor Personal Experience, or C.O.P.E., is the challenge course (ropes course) program of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a series of physical, mental and emotional challenges facilitated by a trained staff directed at enhancing personal growth. The recognized goals of the program are:
   

• Leadership
• Self esteem
• Communication
• Trust
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Teamwork

 

What makes COPE special?

  1. It has challenges but is not an obstacle course. Traditional obstacle courses emphasize physical performance and exclude non-athletes from success. COPE encourages "personal best" performance from each individual while increasing their awareness of their physical self.
  2. It can be a thrilling experience but it is not a "thrill ride" - Although elements of COPE may seem like "thrill rides", the difference is that the participants must invest personal effort, responsibility and commitment to reach each level. They must decide for themselves how far they go and when, or if, to take the next step.
  3. Safety is everyone’s responsibility- Staff and participants are actively involved in maintaining a safe program. Emotional as well as physical well being of everyone is ensured by using safety skills and understanding risk.
  4. Each experience is customized for the group/individual. - Since one of the goals of the program to enhance self-esteem, the experience must be challenging but not futile. Each group also has its own goals and objectives that can be best met by careful selection of challenges.
  5. The staff "facilitates", the group "leads" -The staff sets-up the program, ensures safety, presents the challenges and facilitates the group/individual processing of the experience, but does not give "answers". The group must solve problems and make decision themselves.
 

Who uses COPE?

COPE is often used as part of the summer camp program for Scouts. Most COPE courses are built on camp property, often with the intention of using the program to attract the older Scouts back to camp. The resident camp setting also allows the program to be used with a variety of scheduling options.

COPE can also be used year round as a Scouting program. It is especially useful in team building and leadership training programs. It can be a major attraction for Explorer posts as well.

 
Some councils also provide access to the program to other local youth and adult groups. Another popular use is as a leadership seminar type program for businesses.
 

Who runs COPE?

PROJECT COPE is a program of the Camping Division of the BSA. Each COPE course is run locally by the area BSA Council, under the rules and regulations set by National BSA. Councils that operate a COPE course must designate a COPE Director to supervise the administration, safety and operation of the program. Each COPE director must be certified by National by successfully completing the approved training for this position. The training is available through the BSA National Camping Schools or Regional COPE training programs.