1/8

Collegiate Opens Its High and Low Ropes Course

10/29/2018

Collegiate School celebrated over the weekend the opening of the newest addition to its North Mooreland Road campus - the Stephen P. Adamson, Jr. ’92 Ropes Course.

The course is named in memory of Adamson, who was known for his love of the outdoors. The ceremony and Open House on Saturday brought together family and friends to celebrate not only Mr. Adamson’s legacy, but also an exciting addition to the School’s curriculum and main campus.

“The project is a historical part of our program,” said Head of School Steve Hickman, who spoke to the gathering, which included multiple generations of Cougars. “This iconic campus structure represents the School’s mission and core values.”

The high and low ropes course offers opportunities for leadership, teamwork and problem solving - experiential learning that will be infused into the daily curriculum. For some young people, the outdoors will be their classroom.

Brad Cooke, Director of Outdoor Collegiate and the Ropes Course Coordinator, said he could identify with Mr. Adamson, sharing the same passion for the outdoors and adventure. He said he appreciates how there is a deeper meaning and story behind the ropes course that he will incorporate into his teaching.

Mr. Adamson’s immediate family in attendance included his wife, Sara, and two daughters from Jackson Hole, Wyoming; his mother, Francie Reed ’63; sister Farrow Adamson ’94, and brother Ben Adamson ’98, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. They were among some of the first guests to navigate the ropes course that afternoon.

“It was a great day,” Adamson’s mother, Ms. Reed, said to Mr. Cooke. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to you and the whole school. It’s a day we will never forget.”

“Stephen would have truly loved this,” said John Adamson, Mr. Adamson’s cousin, who along with his wife, Katherine Adamson ’96, and several others, spearheaded the capital campaign. “It embodies his passion for the outdoors, and in true Stephen style, encourages individual personal growth while testing one’s limits and building one’s confidence.”

- Aynsley Miller Fisher '93

Back