The ropes course

Ropes course in the hills above Lafayette: ten children between the ages of 9 and 14 spidered their way up a 30 foot pole using ropes and pulleys.

What do you do at the top of a thirty foot pole? Anna Hurtado says, “some of them sat there for a while looking out at the San Francisco Bay. Some of them looked down and broke into tears.” The only way down was to jump, the ropes and pulleys anchored by staff ensured a soft landing. Everyone who cried at the top, laughed when they were back on the ground, Anna said.” This is really the kind of growth adventure we want for the children of Raphael House – something that takes them outside the city and outside themselves. In some way, they feel changed afterwards.