Who can participate? Corporate or industrial work teams  to build trust and teamwork among their employees Chamber of Commerce adults and youth leadership groups Companies, churches and civic groups  or members. Youths and adults involved in Scouting  What is involved? Project C.O.P.E. is comprised of a series of outdoor challenges, beginning with basic group initiative games and progressing to more complicated low-course and high-course activities. Participants climb, swing, balance, jump, rappel, and think through solutions to a variety of challenges.

1. The first phase is spent getting to know each other.  It’s often the case that participants come to Project C.O.P.E. with some level of anticipation.  And why not, it is different from anything most of them have ever done.  So we want everyone to feel comfortable — with themselves, their teammates and the instructors. This time is also used as an “ice breaker.” We participate in such activities as the cookie line, willow in the wind and hot chocolate.  These exercises are designed to create a feeling of trust and support among each team and are executed at ground level in and around the camp dining lodge. 2.  Stage two begins right in the heart of mother nature, the woods.  These elements take the challenge one step further and many of the elements are conducted slightly above ground.  But this is a time in which participants experience real breakthroughs.  They start to realize that other opinions are important and every team member plays a vital role in the group decision.  Teams also see leadership roles change as different people take the lead in areas where they feel most confident. 3.  And lastly stage three — where the real fun begins!  This is where many people build a great deal of self-esteem by attempting things they never thought they would.  It may be climbing the pamper pole, completing the grapevine or going down the zip line.  It could even be belaying on the ground for a climber. This phase is best remembered by participants because it’s so personal.  Many have said that after their accomplishments at Project C.O.P.E., meeting challenges at work seem not only possible, but probable!

Seven major goals are commonly  associated with  Project C.O.P.E. 1.  Development of Leadership 2.  Problem Solving 3.  Communication 4.  Self Esteem 5.  Trust 6   Decision making 7.  Team Work

 

History and Background
The 1979 Dalajamb International Encampment in Sweden provided a number of challenging events of great interest to Scouts from the United States. Foremost among them was the pioneering course constructed by a group of veteran Swedish Scouts. This course was laid out in a heavily wooded area and utilized terrain elevations as part of the design. Bridges were built across ravines of varying widths and depths. Zip lines hung for traversing the ravines, and novel constructions were used for climbing.

Successful Experiment
The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America was interested in programs, equal to the successful overseas and jamboree activities, that could be promoted on a nationwide basis. Project COPE was identified as having that potential because it offered older Scouts the kind of challenging and exciting program that encouraged them to return to summer camp and increased their tenure. An unexpected dividend was the use of Project COPE by youth and adults outside of Scouting. These groups found it an excellent tool for developing both team effort and individual achievement.

Safety
National promotion of Project COPE enables the Boy Scouts of America to establish standards designed to meet Scouting's needs and concerns for safety within a strong network. Each COPE facility is inspected at least twice annually once by a regional inspection team and once by a council inspection team. The safety of Scouts, leaders, and staff is imperative. Mere concern about safety is not sufficient. This concern must be demonstrated by a director and staff members who are knowledgeable and personally skilled in the respective course activities, who are effective teachers, and who are constantly alert to safety procedures and participant needs. Prospective staff members must be carefully screened. A qualified staff must be assembled with enough members to ensure that continuation of the program does not depend on one or two people. Standards for Project COPE are stringent so that the experience will be both safe and successful.

Certification
Project COPE directors are certified through weeklong training at a National Camping School or at Philmont Scout Ranch during the annual Boy Scouting conferences. A currently certified Project COPE director must be on site whenever the COPE course is being operated. Each COPE course must be inspected annually using the national standards for Project COPE.