Poplar Ridge is an experiential learning and training program operated by the Department of Intramural-Recreational Sports. Poplar Ridge provides team building, leadership, and organizational development opportunities for the University and surrounding communities. Many of our programs utilize our unique Outdoor Experiential Course (O.E.C.) located in a beautiful wooded site on Grounds. Indoor programming options are also available.

Customized Programs

Interested in organizing a group program? Choose from three programming styles:

Team Building: Great for staff trainings, retreats, or group development outings.
Combination Courses: Incorporating our newly redesigned high elements, experience team- building at its best.
High Element Initiatives - Re-designed in Spring of 2008, we now have six different high elements to choose from. Learn more about our Program Styles below:

Program Timeframes:

Our programs are typically a half-day or full day in duration. Half-day programs are anything up to 4 hours long. Full day programs are over 4 hours and up to 8 hours in length.

Program Styles

Team Building:

Great for staff trainings, retreats, or group development outings, this is our most popular program. The team building initiatives take place at or near ground level and consist of both physical and cognitive challenges. These programs accelerate relationship building, improve lines of communication and help develop high performance work teams. Our trained facilitators assist each group with processing their experiences and transferring what they learned to their workplace, athletic field, classroom, committee, etc.

Combination:

These programs start with team building activities and add one of the stand-alone high elements. The high elements introduce technical belay systems involving ropes and harnesses and involve climbing at some height above the ground. High elements typically focus more on individual challenge but the majority of the high ropes activities we have at Poplar Ridge have a strong connection back to the group.

High Elements Initiatives:

Newly re-designed and constructed as of Spring 2008 our high elements include a Giant Swing, a Two-line bridge to a 350 ft. Zip-line, a Vertical Playpen, a High Y, a Pamper Pole, and one called the Nessy. This large selection of high elements help us accommodate a wide range of physical ability and comfort levels. Additionally, most of the activities involve group belay systems so as to develop trust throughout the entire group.

Program Pricing and Booking Information:

For pricing and availability please contact David at 434-982-5105 or poplarridge@virginia.edu and explain the basic demographics of your group and, if applicable, any affiliation to UVA. To expedite the booking process, please complete the following online Program Request Form.

The High Y

The High Y involves two participants, who start at separate points and must work together using ropes and foot cables to complete the challenge. The two individuals meet at the junction of the Y and finish the activity together. Participants are belayed by their fellow group members for this activity.

The Nessy

The Nessy is a new activity in the industry that uses teeter tottering beams suspended by cables as a means of crossing from one platform to another. The beams have hand ropes that hang below them to the ground for fellow group members to pull on in order to stabilize the beams as participants cross. This participant belayed activity can be done with one or two climbers at a time, depending on the group’s size.

The Vertical Playpen

The Vertical Playpen consists of cargo nets, tires, boards, and rope ladders allowing participants to climb a variety of routes. This initiative is about 40 feet high and allows for up to four climbers at a time. This activity uses belay poles to make for simplified participant belays.

The Giant Swing

The Giant Swing uses a participant haul system to raise a swinger to whatever swing height he/she decides to release from. The swinger has complete control of exactly what point he/she wishes to swing from due to a release device on his/her end of the haul rope. The maximum release height is about 45 feet from the ground for a huge pendulum swing.

The Pamper Pole

The Pamper Pole is a 25-30 ft. free-standing pole that participants may challenge themselves to touch the top of, sit on, or even stand on. Once at the height he/she wishes to go, the climber may gently release from or jump off the pole. This activity uses two participant belayed ropes.

Two Line Bridge & Zip-Line

Two Line Bridge & Zip-Line. Participants start this activity by traversing an 80 ft. hand and foot cable to the Zip-line platform. From there a facilitator clips them into the Zip-Line tether for a 350 ft. ride through the woods.