AroundTown Pallottine officially opens Low Ropes Challenge Course Rising to the challenge

A multi-year dream finally becomes a reality in March as the Low Ropes Challenge Course opens at the Pallottine Renewal Center in Florissant. PRC Executive Director Marillyn Baner and team have worked to bring this vision to life over the past several years, made even more critical by the 2020 COVID shutdown and people’s inability to get together publicly.

“I am beyond thrilled that we are finally able to provide this amazing experiential learning opportunity to the communities in and around North County and St. Louis,” Baner said. “Starting this month, we are taking reservations for groups of all shapes and sizes, from 10 to 100. Call us to schedule a tour and see everything Pallottine has to offer from ropes to retreats.”

Pallottine staff, with the full support of the board of trustees, has planned and built the multi-station challenge course over the span of the last three years on the retreat center’s 83-acre campus. Multi-station low-ropes courses such as this, rare in the St. Louis area, help participants develop communication and leadership skills and provide groups with team-building opportunities. Each station, which takes place on the ground or slightly above it, challenges participants to work as part of a team to sharpen and build collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Pallottine’s Lead Facilitator and Training Coordinator Lucia Greer has dedicated a large part of her life to learning, developing and fine-tuning experiential education. As an U.S. Air Force retired senior leader, Greer has spent decades developing teams and leaders with junior military, corporate groups and at-risk youth. And now she’s making sure the PRC team is up to the task.

“People tend to be tactile learners,” Greer said, “so when you combine learn- ing about interpersonal and team behaviors with hands-on challenges, the lessons can be truly life changing.”

The Pallottine Renewal Center ropes course will appeal to and be beneficial for various types of groups, from adults to the youth in our community. For example, in the medical field teamwork is essential. Helen Kornblum, M.D., with SSM St. Mary’s Hospital, believes teamwork is a fundamental aspect of successful residency training.

“To have a ropes course local not only saves time and money but also expands the opportunity to offer this to others within our organization,” Kornblum said. “Teamwork, building trust, developing leadership skills, enhancing confidence … the real-world benefits are numerous.” For more information on the Challenge Course at Pallottine, please visit pallottinerenewal.org/programs/ropes.