Email  Print

Ropes course leaders sought

Challenge Sonoma Adventure Ropes Course is gearing up for its annual spring course leaders training, set for March 14 to 17 at one of the northern California’s most beautiful ropes courses located on Sonoma Mountain above the Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge.

  Established in 1984, CSARC is a nonprofit group of dedicated community volunteers serving Sonoma Valley school children and youth-at-risk. At the heart of this far-reaching organization are CSARC’s leaders and expert trainers, Jim Tonery, a former Sonoma Valley teacher of the year and Flowery School teacher; and Diana Rhoten, director of Rhoten Productions summer camps. “The ropes course experience is a wonderful way to build trust within groups of any age.  Our participants often experience breakthrough transformational changes through this process, which build personal self confidence as individuals gain balance and overcome fears of heights and trusting others,” Rhoten said.

  CSARC trainers provide a unique and beautiful venue to engage more than 1,500 participants annually in unequaled outdoor experiences – memorable activities that promote self-awareness, inspire learning and offer strategies to success. Local students from both public and private schools are the focus and most frequent participants in CSARC’s adventures. To help defray costs for these youth programs, additional premium ropes course programs have been offered to a wide variety of other groups, such as School for the Deaf, the Arthritis Foundation, ROTC, Girl Scouts, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, UC Davis Veterinary Medical Students, Sonoma Developmental Center’s Recreation Therapists, San Mateo Pals and others.

  This year’s training program begins on Thursday, March 14, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 15 to 17. Successfully trained leaders are required to volunteer a minimum of 7 days during CSARC’s season of operation which runs each year from April through November.

  Tuition for the training is $100. For more information or to enroll, contact Diana Rhoten at 484-7759 or email her at info@challengesonoma.org.