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Campus Recreation
Redbird Adventure Center

Redbird Adventure Center

The Redbird Adventure Center is the base of Adventure program operations!

The RAC includes a 5,500 sq. ft. building and High Ropes Course. The building is our central location for Equipment Rentals and Adventure Trips and also features a lobby full of outdoor equipment available to rent, a meeting room that fits 68 people, an outdoor patio, restrooms, and a resource center to plan your own trip.

Learn more about Equipment Rentals and Adventure program offerings.

What's Included

  • High ropes course
  • Outdoor equipment rental
  • Meeting space
  • Outdoor patio
  • Resource center to plan your own trip

  • Location

    You can find the Redbird Adventure Center at 1700 Gregory St.

    Adventure@IllinoisState.edu
    (309) 438-8427

  • Parking

    Parking is adjacent to the building. Lot space allows for buses to drop off groups and for boat pick-up and drop-off. Additional space and bus parking is available at the Campus Recreation Operations Building, 1020 Gregory St.

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High Ropes Course

Clip in and get ready for a new experience in leadership and team development. The High Ropes Course develops teams by utilizing a variety of challenges that encourage growth through experiential learning. The course provides physically and emotionally challenging activities and allows for focused reflection after each activity with our trained facilitators.

The High Ropes Course includes 27 different elements that range in height from 17 to 28 feet. The course has two main components: the Team Course, and the Dynamic Course.

  • diverging logs on high ropes course

    The Team Course

    The team course is designed to keep groups intact from the ground to the high challenge. Groups of 4 – 8 people will build trust on the ground, harness up, enter the high ropes course together, and work together to solve the challenges each element provides. These challenges include the “diverging logs” that require teams to balance and support each other as they walk or crawl across the logs.

  • vertical playpen on high ropes course

    Dynamic Course

    The dynamic course is a series of stand-alone high elements that are 25 feet high. On these elements, the group is part of the belay and support system on the ground while 1-2 participants climb at height. For some elements, the individual has to balance and cross a pole or steel cable with few, if any, hand-holds. In other elements, like the “vertical playpen”, the participants climb in pairs and help each other reach the top of the element. This challenges groups to find innovative ways to communicate with those at height, and to focus on trusting & supporting each other.

Universal Course Design

The High Ropes Course is designed so that 80% of the elements can be accessible for people with disabilities.

  • Universal elements can be used with populations that have limited mobility or motor function. Participants will use a harness that offers back and seated support, and use a pulley system to ascend a rope themselves, or the group can hoist their group member to the element above. Some wheelchair bound individuals may not be able to participate.

  • Modified Universalelements can be used by most individuals with minor modifications to the belay or climbing system as long as full upper body or lower body strength exists, or three fully functioning limbs can be used. Special harnesses provide more comfort and support for individuals that may need to remain seated for the duration of the activity. All participants are given the option to choose to climb up the element or to utilize a pulley system to assist their ascent. Other modifications are also available. Contact us to learn how you can participate today!

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