Campers can do a wide variaty of activities while they are at Camp Courageous.
| ACTIVITY | DESCRIPTION | HRS |
| Accessible Lookout Tower |  Plan on enjoying the view at over 25 feet above the ground. |
0.5 |
| Angle Dangle | A high event for those ready for a challenge. This event is a huge ladder where the rungs are positioned at angles. Campers are belayed as they climb up. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. | 1 |
| Archery |  Care and use of equipment, basic instruction on skills and safety rules are included. |
1 |
| Arts and Crafts |  A comprehensive program offering activities from painting, candle making, leather crafts, yarn art, tie dye and much more. |
1 |
| Bocce Ball | Come learn one of the oldest games around. This simple yet tricky game of skill involves rolling a ball as close to the target ball without touching it. | 0.5 |
| Bounce House | Campers enjoy jumping and bouncing in this enclosed inflatable house. An ideal sensory activity for many. | 0.5 |
| Burma Bridge |  Cross this challenging cable bridge suspended 25 feet above a ravine, while securely fastened to a safety rope. Non-ambulatory campers can be assisted by a staff member on the bridge with them. |
1 |
| Canoeing |  Begin with basic paddling instruction. Our canoeing progression starts with canoeing on a 24 acre lake, to perhaps a 3 hour float trip on the Maquoketa River, then an overnight canoe trip on the river. |
2-3 |
| Caving(Spelunking) |  A challenging 550 foot cave where campers crawl through tight tunnels and explore an exciting underground environment. This activity can be adapted for all groups. Campers who use wheelchairs can be carried to the mouth of the cave and experience the first room. It’s a great sensory activity. Please bring flashlights. |
2-3 |
| Centipede | The centipede offers a very challenging climb up separate sections of wood. The climber then walks across a large utility pole approximately 30 feet off the ground. Climbers descend by way of a cable ladder that moves with you. | 1 |
| Climbing Wall |  The climbing wall is in the gym. Climbers are belayed as they discover the best route up, using specially designed hand and foot holds. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. |
1 |
| Creative Dramatics | A ‘free spirit’ activity ranging from pretend games to group pantomimes to dressing up in our many costumes and hats. Older groups learn about improvisational skits and comedy sportz. | 1 |
| Cross Country Skiing |  Learn the basics about this popular winter sport; diagonal stride, step turns, snowplow and herring bone. Our trails in the pines will give many the opportunity to enjoy the snow. |
1 |
| Eiffel Tower |  This activity involves climbing a cargo net in the gym that resembles the Eiffel Tower. It is a bit wobbly and this adds an element of challenge as the climber reaches for the horn at the top. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. |
1 |
| Evening Activities | An assortment of activities including hay rides, dances, new games, songfests, night hikes, campfires, scavenger hunts, casino nights, progressive suppers, circuses, plus many more. | 2 |
| Farm Experience |  This activity allows the camper to play the “life of a farmer”. This includes the care and feeding of animals such as chickens, rabbits, goats, calf and miniature horses. |
1 |
| Firecracker/Ladder | This is actually two climbing events in one. Campers are belayed up as they choose either the most challenging firecracker climb or the more manageable ladder climb. If you have done all the adventure activities, it’s time to try this one. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. | 1 |
| Fishing | Basic instruction, and safety skills are explained either at the lake or the river. | 1 |
| Frisbee Golf | Our neighbors at Pictured Rocks Camp have invited us to enjoy their newly installed frisbee golf course. | 1 |
| Group Initiative Course | This activity is similar to a challenge or teams course, where campers participate in a series of problem solving activities with group cooperation emphasized. | 1 |
| Gym Activities |  Use our parachute or earth ball for group activities. |
1 |
| Health Bounce | With padded bars to grasp, a camper can jump or sit and be bounced. An ideal sensory activity for campers to enjoy. | 0.5 |
| Hiking | Hike the many trails at camp. Hikes can vary in emphasis from nature or sensory awareness, to mushroom or rain hikes. | 1 |
| Horseback Riding |  Enjoy a ride on Missy or Breezy, camp’s gentle horses. The horses are led by a camp staff with counselors and others serving as side walkers. This activity takes place 1/2 mile down the road at camp’s Weepie Addidtion. |
2 |
| Horseshoes | A slower paced activity for all to enjoy. | 0.5 |
| Ice Cream Making | Use a hand crank ice cream maker and enjoy a refreshing treat. | 1 |
| Jungle Gym | This new adventure activity includes a series of climbing and walking activities up in the air. One event is called the Team Beam which utilizes campers on the ground assisting the participant across swinging beams. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. If you have done all the adventure activities, it’s time to try this one. | 1 |
| Native American Awareness | Learn about Native American games and dances near our teepee. | 1 |
| Nature/Environmental Education | A variety of activities can be incorporated into this area, including river study, animal homes, bird identification/observation, and wild flowers. The nature center provides excellent resources to enhance these studies. | 1 |
| Orienteering | Students become familiar with the parts of a compass, and how to use it. They can then apply the knowledge firsthand while doing two orienteering courses in the woods. | 1 |
| Outdoor Cookery |  Cook over an open fire at one of our campsites in the woods. |
1-2 |
| Outdoor Living Skills | Individuals learn various outdoor living skills such as outdoor cookery, fire building, setting up tents, knots, and lashing. | 1 |
| Overnight Camping | Camp in tents, a tree house, a teepee or simply sleeping under the stars. | 16 |
| Overnight Canoe Trip | Canoe 7-9 miles on the Maquoketa River camping out along the way. | 24 |
| Play Pen | This climbing event is a real challenge. Campers will climb up a variety of obstacles to reach the top. Non-ambulatory campers can also climb using a pulley system. | 1 |
| Rappelling | Campers descend a rock with safety equipment in place. (Must be 10 yrs. old or older.) | 2 |
| Recumbant Tadem Tricycle | This completely accessible tricycle is enjoyed by one staff and one camper at a time. This activiy is often paired up with ice cream making or lookout tower. | 1 |
| Rock Climbing | A challenging, yet very safe activity that can be geared to the level of the group. | 2 |
| Ropes Course | This course has several elements that can promote trust, confidence and group cooperation. | 1 |
| Sledding | Little slopes and steep hills make for good sledding. | 1 |
| Snoezelroom |  This activity geared for lower functioning campers is a sensory room. The senses are stimulated by a ball pit, bean bags chairs, soft rocker, music and a variety of sights and sounds. |
1 |
| Snow Activities | Snow sculpturing, snow painting, making snow pudding or snow games are available. | 1 |
| Snow Shoeing |  A great chance to take a hike in the snow as the Native Americans did. |
1 |
| Sports and Games | This includes large group activities, new games, volleyball and basketball. | 1 |
| Super Zip |  This adapted zip line allows campers to enjoy a fast and fun ride in a chair in the air! |
1 |
| Swimming |  The two pools are always a big hit. The shallow therapeutic pool is 2-4 feet deep and heated to approximately 88 degrees. The larger pool is 25 meters long, 6 lanes wide and 4 feet to 9 feet deep.
The lap pool has a climbing wall. For campers who pass the deep water test, climb this wall and then jump into the pool. We always have a certified lifeguard on duty when campers are swimming. |
1 |
| Tree Climb |  Individuals are able to enjoy the thrill of climbing a tree while secured to a safety rope. Non-ambulatory individuals are hoisted up the tree with a pulley system. |
1 |
| Wild Edible Hike | Foraging wild fruits, greens, berries and nuts make a hike more fun! | 1 |
