Experiential Systems, Inc.

09/01/2026

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲

Worker classification remains one of the most common and expensive compliance traps in the challenge course industry. If your organization is issuing a 1099 to weekend facilitators, seasonal guides, or part-time builders just to save on payroll taxes, you are likely operating outside of federal labor laws.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has recently made significant shifts in how they enforce worker classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). While the strict 2024 rule used a six-factor test, recent 2026 proposals emphasize two "core factors": control over the work and opportunity for profit or loss. Regardless of these regulatory shifts, the fundamental question remains: Is the worker economically dependent on your business, or are they genuinely in business for themselves?.

Here is how the federal classification factors apply across both program operators and challenge course vendors.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 "𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬" 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬
Under the DOL framework, auditors look at the reality of the working relationship rather than what a written contract claims. The key factors include:

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: Do you control the the worker’s schedule, assign their tasks, and mandate adherence to your specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)? The more control you have over how and when the work is performed, the more likely the worker is an employee.

𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬: Can the worker negotiate their pay rate, market their own services to outside clients, and risk losing money on a job? A worker paid a fixed hourly or daily rate does not exercise managerial skill that affects their profit or loss, pointing to employee status.

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐬. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫: If your company provides the climbing harnesses, tools, rescue gear, and infrastructure, the worker is heavily dependent on your investments.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 (𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬, 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬)
For the facilities hosting the participants, the lines are relatively clear:

𝐖-𝟐 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬: Facilitators, weekend guides, and course managers. You provide the safety gear, dictate the program schedule, and their work is the core product of your business. Paying weekend or PRN (as-needed) staff via 1099 violates the economic realities test.

𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟗 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Third-party builders, professional inspectors, and specialty technical rescue trainers. These are external professionals who come to your facility for a finite project (e.g., a three-day inspection). They bring their own specialized tools, carry their own liability insurance, and operate their own independent businesses.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
This is where the industry often gets it wrong. While an inspector is a 1099 contractor to the summer camp they are inspecting, that does not automatically mean they are a 1099 contractor to the vendor they work for.

𝐖-𝟐 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫: If a challenge course design, construction, or inspection company hires a part-time rigger, builder, or inspector to go out into the field on their behalf, that worker is a W-2 employee of the vendor. If they are using the vendor’s power tools, driving the vendor's truck, utilizing the vendor's inspection software, and being dispatched by the vendor’s office, they are economically dependent on that builder company. Misclassifying part-time construction crew members or seasonal inspectors as 1099s is a massive liability for challenge course vendors.

𝟏𝟎𝟗𝟗 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: A vendor may only use a 1099 classification if they are hiring a genuinely separate, insured business entity (like a specialized geotechnical engineering firm or an independent freelance ACCT inspector with their own LLC, insurance, and tools) to assist on a project.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝐄𝐒𝐈) 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩
Simply having a worker sign an "Independent Contractor Agreement" does not legally override the FLSA. Misclassifying employees as contractors exposes your organization—whether you are a zip line operator or a course builder—to severe back-wage penalties, tax liabilities, and legal risk.
If you are transitioning your staff to W-2 status, your operational manuals, training logs, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) need to reflect compliant employment practices. At Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI), we provide comprehensive operational reviews, professional ACCT-accredited inspections, and specialized staff training to ensure your facility operates at the highest level of safety and industry compliance.

Contact ESI today to schedule your next third-party inspection or to consult with our experts on building a safer, fully compliant operation.

08/31/2026

Out-of-the-Box Professional Development

Elevating Your Expertise: Out-of-the-Box Professional Development for the Challenge Course Industry

08/31/2026

Ever wonder about the standards for hydraulic swage presses used to make swaged terminations for the element cables, belay cables and guy wires on ropes courses. Read this article published by ANSI and learn more about B11.2 The standards for hydraulic and pneumatic presses.

ANSI B11.2-2013 (R2020) establishes safety requirements for hydraulic and pneumatic presses to reduce workplace hazards and improve safety.

08/26/2026

https://experientialsystems.com/f/shifting-seasons-adapting-your-camp-challenge-course-for-adults

Late August is a massive transition period for the challenge course industry. As the summer heat begins to break, facilities across the country are saying goodbye to 12-week summer camp seasons and high-volume youth grou...

08/20/2026

This is a great opportunity for summer camps, don't miss the deadline!

Join us for the final Character at Camp Grant Program webinar before the Wave 2 application deadline.

08/17/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛

As students return for the 2026-2027 academic year, school boards and educational experts are leaning heavily into a massive pedagogical shift. We are moving beyond the idea that outdoor time is just a "break" from learning. Today, educators are prioritizing the Intentional Outdoor Classroom—structured, nature-based environments designed specifically to foster Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), STEM application, and mental resilience.

But an outdoor classroom doesn't just have to be a circle of stumps under a tree.
If you are a school district, university, or summer camp looking to align with this massive educational trend, it is time to look at the traditional challenge course through a brand-new lens.

At Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI), we don't just build recreational rides. We design state-of-the-art educational infrastructure. Here is how modern challenge courses serve as the ultimate Intentional Outdoor Classroom.

𝟏. 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐄𝐋 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
The core of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) involves teaching students how to communicate, manage conflict, and practice empathy. You cannot teach these skills effectively with a worksheet.

Low ropes courses and team-building elements—like the classic Spider’s Web, Whale Watch, or custom ground-level problem-solving structures—force students to collaborate in real-time. These elements invite self-directed problem-solving and negotiation in a low-stakes environment. When a group of eighth-graders has to figure out how to balance a giant wooden platform without letting anyone touch the ground, they are practicing active listening, emotional regulation, and inclusive leadership.

𝟐. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
Anxiety levels in students have been a dominant conversation in education for years. Recent research shows that intentional outdoor challenges can significantly improve emotional regulation and stress recovery.

High ropes courses provide a unique psychological environment. They create a perceived risk (feeling high off the ground) while maintaining absolute objective safety (being attached to an engineered belay system). When a student stands on a platform 30 feet in the air, feels a spike of fear, processes that emotion, and takes the leap anyway, they are building genuine psychological resilience. That somatic experience teaches them that they are capable of pushing through anxiety—a lesson that directly translates back to test-taking and social pressures in the indoor classroom.

𝟑. 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
An outdoor challenge course is a living, breathing physics laboratory.

Educators are increasingly looking for ways to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) tactile and engaging. Instead of calculating friction and tension on a whiteboard, students can step into a climbing harness and experience it.
Physics: How does a zip line trolley use steel rollers to reduce friction? How do the angles of guy wires distribute weight loads across a utility pole?

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: How do continuous belay systems mechanically prevent a climber from detaching?

𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: How do the roots of the trees anchoring the zip line interact with the surrounding soil during high winds or saturated soil?

By integrating a challenge course into your science curriculum, you give students the ability to physically interact with the math and engineering concepts they are learning inside.

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐒𝐈
At Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI), we have been pioneering educational challenge courses for decades. Whether you need a low-to-the-ground team-building circuit for a middle school, or a towering, multi-level high ropes course for a university leadership program, our ISO 9001:2015 certified design and build teams can bring your vision to life.

Stop viewing the outdoors as just a place for recess. Contact ESI today, and let’s build a classroom that your students will never forget.

08/13/2026

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

As the aerial adventure and challenge course industry continues to mature, the physical infrastructure supporting our programs must mature alongside it. During our third-party inspections across the country, our teams at Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI) repeatedly encounter a critical, recurring compliance issue: the improper use of straight ladders and ships ladders for participant access on climbing towers and elevated platforms.

Often, facilities rely on vertical straight ladders spanning 10 to 12 feet between internal tower levels, or they install steep ships ladders lacking proper side handrails.
The legality and safety of these structures come down to one critical distinction: Is the ladder an unbelayed access route, or is it a belayed challenge course element?

If you operate a climbing structure, ropes course, or aerial park, here is the definitive guide to understanding what is allowable, what is non-compliant, and how to properly protect your participants and your organization.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞: 𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐯𝐬. 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
The most common mistake builders and operators make is applying OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) employee standards to public participants utilizing an unbelayed walking surface.

𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐁𝐂/𝐔𝐁𝐂): If a participant is walking up to a platform or transitioning between levels of a climbing tower without being actively clipped into a life-safety fall protection system, that route is considered public access/egress. This falls under the jurisdiction of the International Building Code (IBC) and local building codes. Under these codes, vertical ladders and ships ladders are strictly prohibited as a primary means of public access.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐔𝐬𝐞 (𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐎𝐒𝐇𝐀): OSHA allows vertical ladders and ships ladders for authorized personnel (employees, inspectors, maintenance) because staff members are trained, capable, and utilizing proper PPE or ladder safety systems.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧 "𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭"
There is a fully compliant way to utilize straight ladders and ships ladders for the general public: The ladder must be treated as a challenge course element rather than a standard access route.

If participants are using a vertical or ships ladder to ascend a tower, they must be actively protected by a personal fall protection system that limits their maximum free fall to no more than 2 feet. If a participant can clip in on the ground and is protected against a fall the entire way up, the ladder is compliant as a belayed activity.
If your facility currently uses straight or ships ladders, there are several highly effective ways to retrofit them with compliant fall protection systems:

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐑𝐋𝐬) Mounted overhead, an SRL keeps constant tension on the climber and arrests a fall almost instantly.

𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐬: Participants wear a harness attached to a grab device that glides up a vertical lifeline as they climb but locks instantly in the event of a downward slip.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: On angled ships ladders or stepped inclines, specialized continuous belay hardware can be installed that allows forward movement but mechanically blocks the participant from rolling backward if they lose their footing.

𝐀 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: To eliminate any confusion when implementing these fall protection systems, there is a strict legal distinction between what a participant can wear and what a staff member must wear. While participants may wear standard recreational climbing harnesses appropriate for the element, staff members are required to follow OSHA codes. If an employee is utilizing a personal fall arrest system to climb a ladder on the job, they must be wearing an OSHA-compliant full-body harness.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬)
We frequently see straight, vertical ladders installed inside the "chimney" or internal framing of a climbing tower.

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔: Allowable only if they are wearing an appropriate harness and are attached to a 2-foot fall protection system (SRL, cable grab, etc.) before they leave the ground.

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒇𝒇: Allowable under OSHA, provided employees use appropriate ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems (which strictly require an OSHA-compliant full-body harness) depending on the height.
Compliance Action: If your vertical ladder does not have a fall protection system, it must be completely restricted from public use. You must install clear, permanent signage reading "Authorized Personnel Only" or physically secure the ladder behind a locked hatch or gate.

𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
A ships ladder is a set of stairs with an unusually steep pitch (typically between 50 and 70 degrees).

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔: Allowable only if treated as a belayed element with an active fall protection system (like an anti-rollback continuous belay). Without fall protection, the steep incline presents a massive fall risk and violates public building codes.

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒇𝒇: Allowable under OSHA for employees, provided they meet strict design criteria. ESI inspectors frequently find ships ladders installed without proper side handrails. To be OSHA-compliant for staff use, a ships ladder must have handrails on both sides, allowing the employee to maintain three points of contact.

𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Unbelayed ships ladders must be restricted from participant use, clearly signed for staff only, and retrofitted with continuous handrails.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬
If the general public is navigating your structure without being actively on a belay system, they must use code-compliant standard stairs.

𝐓𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐈𝐁𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐌 𝐅𝟐𝟗𝟓𝟗/𝐅𝟐𝟐𝟗𝟏 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠:
𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒏: Stairs must be built to standard architectural pitch (typically a maximum 7-inch riser and minimum 11-inch tread depth, though local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) codes can vary slightly for outdoor recreation structures).

𝑻𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆-𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: Wood gets slick, especially outdoors. All stair treads should be texture-coated or fitted with heavy-duty, slip-resistant grip tape/tread plates to prevent slips during wet weather.

𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔: Must be provided for stability while walking up the stairs (typically positioned 34 to 38 inches above the tread nosing).

𝑮𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔: Open-sided walking surfaces and platforms elevated more than 30 inches above the ground must have guardrails at least 42 inches high. The infill (balusters or netting) must be spaced so that a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through.

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
At Experiential Systems, Inc., our goal as an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company is to engineer risk out of the equation where possible. Assuming that a challenging environment excuses a lack of basic architectural safety is a dangerous mindset. Climbing towers and ropes courses should challenge a participant's physical limits on the belayed elements—not on the walk up to the starting deck.

If your facility is currently utilizing unbelayed ships ladders or vertical ladders for participant access, it is time to plan a retrofit. Contact our professional team today to discuss adding appropriate fall protection systems or designing code-compliant staircases that protect your participants from falls, and protect your organization from liability.

08/11/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

​To all of our friends, colleagues, and clients across the Midwest and beyond who have been battered by the recent severe storms—we are thinking of you. We know how stressful it is to watch the weather radar when you manage an outdoor facility, and we sincerely hope that your staff, campers, and programs are safe.

​Between cutting up fallen trees and clearing debris at our own sites today, it got us thinking about the unseen engineering that happens during severe weather. We often marvel at the visible power of the wind, but the real threat to a challenge course during a major storm actually lies underground.

​When you combine extreme wind loads with oversaturated soils, the physics of your ropes course change dramatically. For the summer camps, YMCAs, and University programs currently waiting for the ground to dry out, here is an educational breakdown of what happens to your structures during a storm, and what you need to look for before you open back up.

​𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬
​Whether your course is built in trees or on utility poles, its stability relies entirely on the friction, compaction, and shear strength of the surrounding soil.

​When heavy rains oversaturate the ground, water fills the spaces between soil particles. This acts as a lubricant, severely reducing the soil's structural integrity and bearing pressure. When high winds then hit your course, your structures act like giant levers, transferring massive dynamic forces down into this weakened, muddy foundation.

​Here is how that combination affects different types of challenge course structures:
​𝟏. 𝐔𝐧-𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 (𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬)
​Many modern high ropes courses are built without guy wires, relying instead on wood or steel tension beams running horizontally across the top or middle levels between the poles. Under normal use, these beams are fantastic—they keep the poles from bending inward when a participant falls on a belay cable, causing the structure to act like a strong, rigid box.

​𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦: Because there are no guy wires transferring wind forces outward to ground anchors, a gust of wind hits that rigid frame and transfers the entire overturning force straight down to the base of the poles. In saturated mud, the ground cannot push back. The poles can act like a giant lever, causing the entire rigid box structure to tilt as a single unit or "wallow" out the dirt at the ground line.

​𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫: Check your poles for plumb (vertical alignment). Look for gaps, cracks, or oval-shaped holes in the soil immediately surrounding the base of the poles, which indicates the poles have been shifting back and forth underground.

​𝟐. 𝐙𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬)
​A zip line creates a much greater lever load than a standard 30-foot ropes course belay cable. If you operate a 500-foot or 1,500-foot zip line, the static tension is already immense.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦(and After): Wind loads on the cable transfer massive forces to the poles and guy anchors. But the real danger happens after the storm. If you operate a zip line while the soil is still oversaturated, the dynamic load of a rider zipping and braking adds violent stress to guy anchors that are currently sitting in soft mud.

​𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Do not operate large zip lines in oversaturated soils. Wait for the ground to dry and stabilize to prevent your guy anchors from shifting or pulling out entirely.

​𝟑. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 (𝐀 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐤)
​Unlike a ropes course where wind can pass between the poles and cables, a freestanding climbing tower has a massive, solid surface area.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦: A climbing wall acts exactly like a giant sail or windsock. It catches an immense amount of wind, generating massive drag and overturning moments that push directly against the footings. In wet soil, this sail effect can easily overpower the lateral resistance of the mud.

​ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫: Inspect the base connections and footings closely. Look for any heaving in the ground on the "windward" side of the wall, or compression/sinking on the "leeward" side.

​𝟒. 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬
​Because these elements are much closer to the ground, they do not generate the same massive overturning moments as a 40-foot pole. However, they are still at risk.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦: Low ropes courses are typically built with much smaller guy anchors because they do not endure the same everyday loads as high courses. When high winds hit the poles, the combination of force and saturated soil can easily cause these smaller anchors to shift upward.

​ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫: Check your guy wires. If a wire is suddenly loose, the anchor has likely slipped. Check for wobbly poles and ensure the soil is re-tamped once it dries.

​𝟓. 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬
​Trees are incredibly resilient, but they are highly vulnerable when the ground turns to mud. Not all trees handle these forces equally. Hardwoods (like Oaks and Maples) generally possess deeper, stronger root systems and dense wood, making them highly wind-firm. Conifers (like Southern Yellow Pine or Red Pine) often have shallower root plates depending on the soil depth, making them much more susceptible to blowing over when the ground turns to soup.

​𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦: Instead of the trunk snapping, the wind rocks the entire tree back and forth, eventually breaking the suction of the wet soil and causing the root plate to fail.

​ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫: Do not just look up at the canopy; inspect the base of the tree. Look for soil heaving or mounding, which indicates that roots have been torn or shifted underground. Any new leaning or tilting is a major red flag.

​𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
​Do not assume your course escaped unharmed just because it looks okay from a distance. Root damage, base wallowing, and anchor slippage may not be immediately visible, but they pose serious ongoing risks for your participants.

​Before you put anyone back on belay, you need to conduct a thorough evaluation once the ground begins to dry. A structural inspection should always be done by a highly qualified inspector in accordance with the relevant industry standards in your jurisdiction.

​At Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI), our post-storm inspections involve a detailed visual and tactile evaluation of your structures, systems, and components. Because we are an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company, our clients know our inspection processes are rigorously audited for the highest standard of safety and quality in the industry.

​If your facility was in the path of the recent storms and you are concerned about your poles, anchors, or trees, contact ESI today. We are here to help you get your program back up and running safely.

08/07/2026

𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 | CPSC.gov https://share.google/7t4xCg2KU7DVPNvKF

CPSC works to save lives and keep families safe by reducing the unreasonable risk of injuries associated with consumer products and fulfilling its vision to be the recognized global leader in consumer product safety.

08/05/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓𝐭𝐡, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

In the aerial adventure and challenge course industry, we spend a lot of time talking about standard operating procedures, staff certification, and course inspections. But before a single cable is tensioned or a harness is buckled, the safety of a course relies entirely on the structural integrity verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

In our industry, safety cannot be based on guesswork or "the way we’ve always done it."
When a design plan receives a PE stamp, it means a licensed professional has legally verified that the structure meets or exceeds building codes and industry-specific regulations, such as those set by the ASTM International or the Climbing Wall Association (CWA).

From a risk management perspective, a PE-stamped course is the foundation of legal defensibility. It proves to your insurance provider, your board of directors, and your participants that your facility was built to the highest possible standard of structural safety.

At Experiential Systems, Inc. (ESI), our entire building philosophy is rooted in sound engineering. We work hand-in-hand with licensed Professional Engineers to ensure our zip line, climbing tower, and aerial trekking park designs are as safe as they are thrilling. We don't just build courses; we build engineered ecosystems.

Today, we want to extend a massive thank you to the Professional Engineers who review our plans, run the calculations, and keep our industry safe. Your work is the invisible harness that protects every climber in the canopy.