Spider’s Web – Low Ropes Course

1. Explain to the group that they were exploring caves,

   looking for treasure, in a remote part of the world. (You’ll notice

   a lot of “remote” locations in our activities).

2. Fortunately, they were able to find the treasure in the last cave

   they were looking in. Unfortunately, a giant poisonous spider has spun

   a web across the entrance to the cave while they were inside. There

   are no other ways out of the cave.

3. The group must help each other through the web without touching it,

   else that person would become stuck in the extremely sticky web. Really!

   Just brushing against a strand ever so slightly would cause someone

   to become stuck.

4. Although very strong and sticky. The web is very sensitive. The vibrations

   from someone passing through a hole causes it to close, making it impossible

   to pass another full body through the hole. For some unknown reason,

   it is still large enough to put hands through.

5. The entire group must get through, because each member of the team

   has a special piece of the map needed to get back to safety. You can’t

   just give the map pieces to save the others, either, as it is tattooed

   on your body.

6. Good Luck!

Some facilitiation tips:

• Be sure the group has practiced spotting and lifting, and that they

  are mature enough to safely do both. This activity requires lifting

  and must be taken seriously.

• Use clothes pins to mark holes that have been passed through. After

  the first few people go through, it’s almost impossible to remember

  which holes are available to use.

• You can add a time restriction if you like. The spider will be back

  in 15 minutes, afterall.

• Rope Variation: You can use this element by threading a rope

  through all of the holes without it ever touching the web. This variation

  is diffucult in its own right, but is perfect for groups that you do

  not want to do lifting for any reason.