BSA National Pike District

The Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, better known as C.O.P.E., is an opportunity for anyone 13 or older to challenge themselves and each other with an experience unlike anything they have ever done.  You will climb, swing, balance, and jump while thinking through a variety of challenges.  Most find that they can accomplish much more than they ever thought possible.

C.O.P.E. is an exciting outdoor learning experience designed to develop seven key skills:

• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Decision-Making
• Problem Solving
• Communications
• Trust
• Self-Esteem

As a result of going through the C.O.P.E. program and the physical and mental challenges it provides, many individuals will gain more insight into themselves and others. Frequently, this will result in greater self-confidence and enhanced self-esteem.

Groups experience a new sense of trust and teamwork in addition to a willingness to take risks.  The sense of interdependence the program produces will enable them to work better.  Rather than competing against one another, everyone will be working together to achieve common goals. This sense of teamwork will continue to prevail in your group.

It has challenges but is not an obstacle course.  Traditional obstacle courses emphasize physical performance and exclude non-athletes from success.  COPE encourages "personal best" performance from each individual while increasing their awareness of their physical self.

As with all BSA High Adventure programs, a person must be 13 years of age to participate. Because of the difficult physical and mental challenges and the desire to provide the maximum opportunities for personal growth and development, the program is targeted primarily for older people.