Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – “You can do it!” The call of the campers makes the rounds of the spectators, necks craned to watch the progress of their peers moving rung by rung up the 40-foot telephone poles.
One novice climber freezes at the top, but Megan Fowler, an instructor of the Outdoor Adventure Program International, calls out direction and the student begins their tightrope walk holding the support wires at level with the surrounding trees.
At the log challenge four people hold the ladder for the next climber to get onto the pole.
“On belay,” calls the climber.
“Belay is on,” the instructor responds.
“Climbing.”
“Climb away.”
The 11 campers in the OAPI rock climbing adventure camp challenged their climbing skills at the University of Maine at Presque Isle high ropes course on July 2.
During the previous two and a half days the campers learned the techniques and language to test themselves on the outdoor course, partly more intimidating because the outdoor environment and how the poles tend to sway slightly at the top.
“At the beginning of the week we teach basic rock climbing commands, how to put on a harness, rock traversing, routes, different hand holds and foot holds and bouldering (climbing without ropes),” said Fowler. “We also do a lot of problem solving and team work.”
The team spirit is evident as the campers encourage each other to overcome their fears on the way up the pole.
“It’s scary at first,” explained 8-year-old Mia Piro about her climb. “But it’s fun too. If you don’t look down too much it’s OK, and I wanted to show my cousins how high I went.”
Overcoming the fear to meet the challenge was well worth it for 9-year-old Shubhangi Mehra. “It’s great reaching the top, reaching your goal,” explained Mehra. “At first you think it’s a long way away but once you do it, it gets easier.”
Marta Herzog, a 10-year-old camper from Presque Isle, agreed with her peer.
“I learned that I can do it,” said Herzog. “I’m proud of myself, and now I can move on to the next challenge.”
However, not everyone had the fear of heights to overcome. Eleven-year-old Keegan Ennis sped up the pole and across the wires. “I like high places and excitement, and I like climbing,” explained Ennis. Ennis only began rock climbing during the camp but has climbed trees for years with similar gusto.
Some of the campers preferred the traditional rock climbing wall in Gentile Hall. Nick Shields, 10-years-old, enjoyed bouldering the most.
“You don’t have a harness on, and you can go up and just jump down; there are mats underneath,” explained Shields.
According to Fowler, learning the ropes and holds has several benefits for the students. “This is something they wouldn’t normally do. It’s outside their comfort zone. They learn new skills, and meet new people. A lot are scared of heights and they have to fight hard to overcome it.”
The climbers included Emily Griffeth, Herzog, Samuel Kaszas, Mehra, Shields, Ennis, Piro, Maddison Cleaves, Ashley Hersey, Charles Parham and Ryan Lavway.
OAPI has three more adventure camps this summer including a half day camp from July 14-18, an outdoor camp from July 21-25 and a half day nature camp from August 11-15.
For more information or to register, visit www.umpi.maine.edu.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
TEAM WORK IN ACTION – From the left, campers Mia Piro, Marta Herzog, Ashley Hersey and Samuel Kaszas hold the ladder for Shubhangi Mehra as she ascends the pole of the high ropes course at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
SECURE – OAPI instructor Brandon Levasseur helps Ryan Lavway secure his harness before he begins his climb of the high ropes course at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
THE NEED FOR SPEED – Keegan Ennis steps onto the wire crossing of the high ropes course in record time for the group.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
A HELPING HAND.Marta Herzog (right) helps OAPI instructor Megan Fowler (left) move the ladder between the log and wire challenge at the high ropes course.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
ON THE TOP. Mia Piro begins her crossing 40-feet above her fellow campers at the OAPI adventure camp after a tremulous climb up the rungs of the pole. The shouts of encouragement from Piro’s peers helped her reach the top.
