Water Obstacle Course
The Water Obstacle Course is both challenging and fun! It’s consistently a highlight of campers staying at Shalom Valley. The games get progressively harder, but all can be accomplished by small children or adults, or a mixture of both. And best of all, the games teach team-building skills and life lessons.
Game 1: The X Beam
The X Beam is an easy starter game with dozens of variations. Cross the X Beam without falling in. Arrange yourselves in height order without leaving the beam. Rearrange in the opposite order without getting off the beam, and so on…
Game 2: The Z Beam
The Z Beam is only slightly harder but can be used in much the same way, and can be used for competitions between teams on different beams, or with one team at each end of the beam.
One of the most compelling ways to use the course is to create a story or quest which explains the challenges. For example, our facilitators tell a story about a King who requires sparkling water from a far away spring (2 Sam 23:13-17). Each team of mighty warriors is tasked with bringing 3 cups of this wonderful spring water across various challenges without spilling too much - in order to please the King. Contact us for detailed instructions for this quest. Or simply create your own scenario.
Game 3: The Platform
Get your team from one side to the other using only a plank. Stage 1 is easy - just cross with no constraints. Stage 2 is harder - cross with the plank touching only the platform (not the other bank).
Game 4: Log Crossing
In pairs, hold hands as you walk from one end of the logs to the other. Alternatively, work in teams to cross - with half on the land and half over the water. This requires great coordination and team work, or you may fall in!
Game 5: The See-saw
Get your team across as the see-saw moves up and down. It’s a balancing act! For a tougher challenge get your whole team on the see-saw before anyone gets off.
Game 6: The Wire Walk
Walk across the wire using the second rope to balance yourself. This can be done as individuals or in pairs. Get creative by carrying objects across or seeing how many items you can move from one side to the other in a set amount of time.
Game 7: The Tight Rope
Cross the river on a tight rope using a couple of 10m ropes and your creativity as a team. It can be done, but it’s not easy to come up with the solution!
Game 8: Blue Barrel Crawl
Cross over the barrels from one side of the river to the other as a team without falling in. It’s harder than it looks!
Game 9: Pillar to Post
Get from one side to the other as individuals, or holding hands in pairs. For more difficulty use only certain colours (the posts are coloured) to get across. Support one another. Use bigger players to help lift or support smaller players. Requires team work!
Game 10: The Bridge
Get your whole team from one side to another using the plank (add a rope for more variation). This requires a great team plan, but it is not easy!
A Note on Safety
These challenges are suitable for everyone from small children to adults. Of course there is some risk involved - that’s what makes them a fun challenge! Watch this video to make sure your time is well planned for the safety of your players.
The Water Obstacle Course can be used by any group staying onsite at Shalom Valley. There is no extra cost for groups staying onsite. (Or perhaps you would like to visit just for the day. Contact us for special pricing for a day visit.)
Also, if you’d like our trained facilitators to guide your group (in Khmer language) through the course, maximizing their learning - contact us for pricing.