C.O.P.E., a program provided by the Boy Scouts of America and the Northeastern PA Boy Scout Council, was created for Boy Scouts with a desire for high adventure. C.O.P.E. is an exciting outdoor learning experience designed to develop seven key skills:

     The three day weekend course is the primary means by which scouts encounter this exciting outdoor learning experience. It is designed for a group of scouts to begin the experience on a Friday night as individuals or strangers, and to end Sunday afternoon as a group of close friends with enhanced self-confidence, self-esteem and warm trusting relationships with each other. This course provides the maximum potential opportunities for growth and development of individuals and groups. 

The Low Course

The Low Course consists of 15 exciting and challenging elements that require participants to swing on ropes, balance on swaying cables, experience breath taking "trust" falls, and scale 12-foot walls. Other events pose challenging problems that can only be solved with group effort.

The High Course

The High Course offers challenges of a different nature with events ranging in height from 25 to 40 feet. On "Monkey Business," participants will ascend a caving ladder, climb over a cargo net, traverse a two wire crossing, and defy a leap into space. On "King Kong's Playground," participants will climb the scary and difficult "Giant's Ladder," ascend the "centipede," and climb the "Vertical Playground." The course also features a 50 foot climbing and rappelling tower that sports three walls of climbing at various levels including overhangs.

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 troop.

C.O.P.E. REQUIREMENTS

As with all BSA High Adventure programs, scouts 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 scouts.

For troops desiring to bring younger scouts, programs involving initiative games, pioneering, orienteering and other challenging activities can be arranged if staff is available.

Tour the COPE Course

Become a C.O.P.E. Staffer