Youth Leader Development Day 11/03/2026

Do you know of a Youth Leader, between ages of 14-18 who is ready for the next level of leadership?
This Youth Leadership Development Day is for you. We want to give an opportunity for individuals to come out and experience our programming, and develop their skills. We could sit here and describe how we acheive impactful results to future employees, or a prospective clients. However, from 40 years of experience, we KNOW that it is far more effective to simply go through the process, and have the experience yourself. Read on for more information, and reserve your spot!!

Can I sign up my entire group?

We are capping the sign ups to 4 students per group or team. Why? We want this to be a community event, where students are also able to meet other youth leaders in the area as well!

Is this a good deal for leadership development?

When groups sign up with us - we our typical rate is $50 / participant. We are offering this event at $10 / participant as a discounted Community rate, to promote participation, while still covering our costs as a small business. We want to provide an opportunity for youth leaders to come try this out, and take back their skills to their teams/groups/school/organizations!

Why do we do it? At Challenge Discovery we believe in learning through powerful experiences. Adventure is our classroom! So we provide highly engaging and fun experiences, filled with personal and team challenges to help people learn about themselves and about each other. This experience day is about having a great experience for yourself - it's important to meet new people, learn about ourselves, and give ourselves time to be challenged and have fun! This will be the best way to inform you about whether we might be a great place for you to work, or a great experience for your youth class, group or team!

What is it? Attendees will be lead through an impactful experience, closely reflecting our Team Odyssey program. Individuals will experience a variety of ground-based problem-solving initiatives, along with high ropes course elements and challenges.

What will we be doing? Take a look at the sample agenda below. This is just an approximate schedule, but we will be very active, and involved throughout our time together. Primarily, we will be going through a variety of challenges (both on the ground, and up in our ropes course), so you can see our programming in action, and whether it is something that you would like to be involved in.

What is an example of a high ropes challenge? The initiatives we take on might look something like this: work to get through the challenge ahead by walking on boards and cables, while being clipped above into the ropes course. Can you do it without holding onto anything with your hands? Work to get there by yourself. Now, work to get across the next element with a partner! Take a look at the sample schedule below to see how the day will be broken up.

What is the age limit? This developmental experience is designed for youth ages 14-18 who are seeking to develop their leadership skills.

Where is it? Address: 1600 UR Drive, Henrico, VA 23229. It is suggested to ONLY use the address listed for your GPS, along with the campus map and parking pass (found in the Participant Information Download). Held at the Odyssey High Ropes Course on the University of Richmond campus.

What is required for participation?

• All YOUTH participants who are signed up must have a Sponsoring Adult (either a parent, coach, or other adult responsible for that youth). The adults do not need to remain present on site with us for the day, but must provide contact information.
• All participants must have a Participant Agreement filled out, online, prior to arrival for the first day. This form takes 2 minutes to fill out, including an assumption of risk portion and medical information.
• Closed-toe shoes are REQUIRED to participate in the event each day.
• Please download, print, and review the Participant Information Download (includes a helpful checklist, FAQ's, and parking pass).
• For anyone parking their car on campus, please print and present a parking pass on your dashboard, found in the Participant Information Download.

How else should I prepare? Download, print and review the Participant Information Download. Included in this information is the...

• Participant Checklist.
• FAQ's
• Parking Pass (for cars parked on-site).

What should I bring?

• Closed-toe shoes are required for participation.

• Please bring a lunch with you!

• A full stomach, eat breakfast prior to arrival! You'll need fuel for our time together!

• Appropriate clothing, like jackets and other layers.

• Waterbottle and a snack or packed lunch. We will not take a break for a meal, but could snack prior to climbing, or while waiting for rides.

• Any needed medications while on-site.

• For cars parked on campus, please print and present a parking pass on your dashboard, found in the Participant Information Download.

What does Challenge Discovery provide?

• Sunscreen

• Bug repellent

• Hand sanitizer

• Paper cups and a cooler of ice water to fill cups or waterbottles.

• All required climbing equipment (sit harness, climbing helmet, lobster claw climbing ropes)

What is the inclement weather policy?
We will continue with programming, rain or shine. Very rarely will we cancel a single day of programming. We MIGHT cancel the day of programming if the forecast suggests a high likelihood (95%-100% chance) of the following conditions: lightning storms; a combination of temperatures below 50°s, moderate to severe rain and/or moderate to severe sustained wind. However, in this event, we will find other space on campus to experience the ground-based challenges, and hope for a break in the weather in order to climb. You will be notified via email no later than 2 days prior to the program start time if the day is cancelled.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: The only reason that Challenge Discovery will cancel is if the enrollment does not fill to a reasonable amount to have an group experience day. You will be notified no less than 24 hours prior to the start date.

Do you have other questions? Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and read through our Participant Information Download. All other questions, don't hesitate to contact us! (804-876-9733; operations@challengediscovery.com)

Curious about our programs?
Check out the video below to learn more about Challenge Discovery's mission, see what our ropes course looks like. Learn more about signing up for a program by visiting the Challenge Discovery website.

https://vimeo.com/183656215