Community Corner
Park and Rec takes zip lining to the extreme
Campers zip line tree top to tree top through the forest canopy at EMPOWER Leadership Sports in Middletown
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Middletown, CT (July 17, 2013) Campers from Newtown’s Parks and Recreation day camp program travelled to Middletown on Thursday for a unique and amazing adventure. Campers took on the awesome adventure of “canopy touring” where they zip lined, crossed foot bridges, traversed a cargo net and walked a tight wire. This canopy course is the only one of its kind in Connecticut and provides campers with a bird’s eye view of the Laurel Brook Forest canopy in Middletown. EMPOWER guide Jesse Boyd commented, “This canopy course is all about having the courage to get outside of one’s comfort zone, supporting fellow zip liners and having fun; all while taking in the beauty of this unique eco-journey.”
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Campers geared up in harnesses, helmets and zip trolleys, loaded the course and away they zipped, into the forest canopy. One camper commented, “This is amazing! One zip line is fun but doing them one after the other in the tree tops is awesome!” The canopy course consists of 5 different zip lines ranging from 200’ to 650’ as well as 2 suspension foot bridges, a cargo net and tight wire traverse.
EMPOWER’s general manager Dan Jaskot explained the reason for the cargo net and tight wire, “We incorporate these elements to challenge participants and allow them to stretch their comfort zones. We feel this canopy experience will positively impact participants’ lives when they choose to take on these positive challenges. These challenges are confidence boosting elements that have a lasting impact on people long after their adventure.” And one after the other, these campers traversed the zip lines and elements and conquered everything the course had to offer.
When asked to reflect on the day, Boyd stated, “These campers took on the challenges, stretched their comfort zones, supported one another and did a wonderful job all day. I am proud of them!”
EMPOWER Leadership Sports & Adventure Center is located at 2011 S Main St. Middletown, CT and is online at www.LeadershipSports.com.
