Reaching new heights starts with the first rung.

Standing 72 feet tall, the high and low elements ropes course at the University Recreation Center is open to students and their dads for the Dad’s Weekend Challenge on Oct 12.

“This challenge course should be on every students’ bucket list while they’re here,” said Jonathan Stahl, assistant director of adventure programs.

Known as the Giant Ladder, the interactive course features three high elements among multiple beams 4 feet and 12 feet apart.

Starting on the ground, participants are given equipment to gear up for the vertical haul, including a harness, helmet and string line that connects participants to the course, Challenge Program Coordinator Mandy Schenkemeyer said.

Students and their dads can start the climb after a low impact warm up and a safety run down.

Stahl said to advance up the ladder, participants must work together in groups of two or three supporting and directing each other.

“It’s a meaningful activity to intentionally foster communication and bonding between the teams,” he said.

Schenkemeyer said as participants advance to higher levels on the course, the challenge becomes more difficult.

“You learn a lot about yourself and your dad,” Schenkemeyer said.

Stahl said adventure learning is a vehicle to foster personal development. Challenge courses such as the Giant Ladder are designed to generate transferable learning.

“In the end there is a lot of meaning to it that transfers to family relationships,” Stahl said. “It allows for the opportunity to reflect and take your relationship forward.”

Schenkemeyer said regardless of how far participants may climb, a meaningful bonding experience is the true success earned.

“You get a feeling of success whether or not you reached the top or not,” she said.

Registration for the course is open until Oct. 11, and space is limited to 30 participants. The course costs $29 per participant.