At United States Army Garrison (USAG) Grafenwoehr in eastern Germany, soldiers are getting a new opportunity for adventure. This month, the all-new $9.8 million Outdoor Recreation (ODR) Complex at Camp Heritage/Dickhaeuter Lake will open for military servicemembers and their families, offering numerous onsite options for recreation and fun.

Designed by a local German architectural firm with construction managed by the Corps of Engineers, the ODR facility is being built in an existing recreation area by Dickhaeuter Lake and will have a new central equipment checkout building, an indoor climbing wall for training, outdoor play areas, pavilions, cabins, campsites and a boat dock. It is just one of many Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)-funded projects in the Army. According to Dan Ahern, chief of Installation Management Command (IMCOM), Europe MWR, “Facilities like this are a key element to the overall fitness and well-being of soldiers. The construction of a new outdoor rec facility with a high-ropes course demonstrates the Army’s commitment to both the Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ) program and the modernization of our recreational programs and facilities.” The $375,000 high-ropes course portion of the facility was completed and turned over for MWR use in July 2012, which was early in the ODR facility construction timeline in order to be integrated as quickly as possible into the Army’s WAQ program. 

Often referred to as challenge courses, high-ropes courses are often integrated into existing landscapes of tall trees or forest environments. They are different from other types of challenge courses as most of the elements are constructed higher in the air rather than close to the ground. Existing trees can provide cover, shade and an added sense of obstacles to overcome, which contributes to the overall challenge, both physically and mentally. Additionally, the new Grafenwoehr course was specifically designed and built to accommodate multiple participants at the same time and for group challenges that promote cooperation and team building rather than just individual skills.

Returning from extended deployments, many soldiers are used to high-risk, high-energy situations and thus seek out sports and other activities that provide the adrenaline rush that they have grown accustomed to. The new high-ropes challenge course is a great addition to the Army’s Warrior Adventure Quest program, which provides soldiers with many different high-energy activities in a fun and safe environment. The high-ropes course and other WAQ activities enhance the morale of post-deployment soldiers, which helps with their reintegration and can deter other high-risk or unsafe activities.  

For the soldiers who participate in activities at the high-ropes course, it’s about risk and reward, confidence and team building, fun and succeeding. And because of recreation programs like this at USAG Grafenwoehr and other installations around the world, the U.S. military is stronger, safer and better mentally and physically prepared for any obstacles that come their way.

Randey Stanaland is an MWR Construction/Project Manager for the U.S. Army in Kaiserslautern, Germany.