“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” –Neale Donald Walsch
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Exhibit Details
The Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (C.O.P.E.) program gives older Scouts the opportunity to develop themselves in a variety of fun and exciting ways at the first-rate Allen K. Forssmark C.O.P.E. course. The course – built up since the mid-90s by staff and volunteers such as Allen Forssmark and Jim Battenfelder – continues to expand in scope as the interest and participation grows with each year.
The C.O.P.E. Course is designed to challenge all that who undertake it, and this display of pictures and videos will show you all the various high course elements, the towers, and the people who traversed them since C.O.P.E. got started in 1997.
Built in 2006, a 2nd climbing wall with some vertical ramps provides an extra challenge for the more experienced climbers.
The Vertical Playground
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
Upper body strength, lower body strength, middle body strength. And perserverance. One of the more challenging portions of the “High Day” course, C.O.P.E. participants must use them all to traverse the Vertical Playground and make it to the high wire fun waiting above.
Giant's Ladder
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
Named for the 8 feet spacing that is not your typical span between rungs, the Giant’s Ladder is a 2-man event that anyone besides Paul Bunyan should find a bit challenging.
Silhouetted COPE
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The high towers of C.O.P.E. are silhouetted by an influx of light.
C.O.P.E. Tower
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
The tower in 2002, with just one rappelling / climbing wall. The tower is used for Open Rappels / Climbs, Climbing Merit Badge and as part of Adult C.O.P.E. and the regular C.O.P.E. programs.
Working on the Bikes
2004 – Contributed by Mike Arles
Staffers work on keeping the mountain bikes in order for the mountain biking program.
Arriving at the Top
2004 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
After arriving at the top of the C.O.P.E. tower, the “rabbit ears” lock you in while the staff gets you ready to rappel or traverse the high wire events.
Caving Ladder
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Upper body strength and determination are two key requirements for besting the C.O.P.E. caving ladder.
C.O.P.E. Rappelling
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A bird’s eye view of a Scout rappelling during the high day of the C.O.P.E. program.
Night Zip Lining
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Campcraft staffer Matt Pellegrino rides the zip line during the staff’s evening getaway.
Adult C.O.P.E. participants
2008 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
2008 Week 2 adult C.O.P.E. participants.
C.O.P.E. Hut
1997 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
Before there was a C.O.P.E. Pavilion, the staff used this hut to store their gear and to escape the brutal afternoon sun.
Adult C.O.P.E
2008 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
Adult C.O.P.E. participants test out some of the high-wire elements Thursday mornings during the camping season.
High Wire
2004 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
This Scout traverses the first high wire obstacle after leaving the tower, where one must balance by holding onto a cable while shimmying across another cable.
Free Rappelling
2006 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Though the climbing/rappelling wall is the most common method of descent, Scouts must do three “free rappels” as part of their requirements for Climbing MB.
C.O.P.E. Pavilion Construction
2001 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
Though the C.O.P.E. Course was constructed in 1997, a proper storage and classroom area wasn’t constructed until 2001.
C.O.P.E. Building Nearly Done
2001 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
A picture of the almost completed COPE building.
Helping Hand
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Program Director Noah Austin, lends a helping hand to a camper finishing his trek across cables on the high course.
Hang On
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A scout holds tight while making his way across the high wires of Horseshoe’s C.O.P.E. course.
The Trapeze
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A scout dives for the trapeze suspended high in the trees at C.O.P.E.
Zip Line
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A scout flies down the zip line as part of the Horseshoe C.O.P.E. course.
Gearing Up
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Scouts prepare to tackle the climbing walls at C.O.P.E.
Troop Climb
2007 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Scouts scale the rock wall during a Troop climb.
Aerial View of COPE
2023 – Contributed by Anonymous
The high ropes course of COPE as seen from above!
Zip Line
2022 – Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts enjoy the zipline at the Camp Horseshoe C.O.P.E. course.
Videos
C.O.P.E. High Day Video – Part 1 Part 1 of C.O.P.E. High Day video. 2001 – Contributed by Jim BattenfelderC.O.P.E. High Day Video – Part 2 Part 2 of C.O.P.E. High Day video. 2001 – Contributed by Jim BattenfelderC.O.P.E. High Day Video – Part 3 Part 3 of C.O.P.E. High Day video. 2001 – Contributed by Jim BattenfelderC.O.P.E. High Day Video – Part 4 Part 4 of C.O.P.E. High Day video. 2001 – Contributed by Jim BattenfelderC.O.P.E. Course Camp Inspectors check out the fledgling C.O.P.E. Course near Flagpole Hill. 1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew IIITrust Game Here we have an artistic “rotoscoped” look at the COPE Course and some Scouts who played a trust game there during the 2014 Ranger’s Challenge. 2014 – Contributed by Andrew CoeC.O.P.E. Fun The high course fun of the C.O.P.E. course, an experience all participants will remember for a long time. 2001 – Contributed by Alexander MustoClimbing This Scout is trying his best to get up that (artificial) rock face. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander MustoFlying Squirrel The flying squirrel looks easy, but because you don’t have a running start, it’s tougher than it looks. Here Scouts take a stab at reaching out across the void. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander MustoFlying Squrrel Another Flying Squirrel video taken up at the Camp Horseshoe C.O.P.E. course. 2012 – Contributed by AnonymousHigh Course Day C.O.P.E. participants challenge themselves by doing the High Rope Course. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander MustoZip Line Here is a Go Pro video of someone going down the Camp Horseshoe Zipline. 2018 – Contributed by Anonymous
Team-Building Games
Display Details
Part of the C.O.P.E. program is about getting to a level of trust and cooperation amongst your peers to achieve things you didn’t think were possible.
Trust Fall
2003 – Contributed by Anonymous
It takes a lot of confidence to put your fate in the hands (literally!) of others. But it also takes a seriousness of purpose from those below to make the trust fall an enjoyable experience.
The Wall
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
A team of participants must use their ingenuity and communication skills to find a way to get the entire team over The Wall.
Staff Team Building Game
2018 – Contributed by Anonymous
The 2018 Camp Horseshoe staff does a team building up a C.O.P.E. where they also spent considerable time doing repairs throughout the spring and summer.
Miscellaneous Pictures
Display Details
Here are some miscellaneous pictures of the C.O.P.E. program from the unique to the bizarre to the fantastical.
C.O.P.E. Rules!
2003 – Contributed by Jon DiVirgilio
C.O.P.E. participants and staff spell out “COPE RULZ!” on the ground of the C.O.P.E. course as a photographer captures their human spelling feat from the C.O.P.E. tower looming over them.
Discuss Amongst Yourselves
2003 – Contributed by Anonymous
Part of the C.O.P.E. process is to discuss and digest “What just happened?” Jon DeVirgilio, the facilitator, leads the group in a round of comments on the activity they just completed.
Problem Solving
2005 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
In 2005 one of the facets of the C.O.P.E. program, “Problem Solving”, was emblazoned on the… lavatory door.
C.O.P.E. Sign
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This C.O.P.E. sign directs travellers from the new camp road up the Flag Pole Hill trail to the Allen Forssmark C.O.P.E. Course.
Older C.O.P.E. Sign
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This C.O.P.E. sign goes back to the early 2000s, as well as the Flag Pole Hill sign (partially obscured).
Rappelling
1980 – Contributed by Andrew Fish
Prior to the establishment of today’s C.O.P.E. course, scouts gathered in the Campcraft area to rappel on the camp’s camo wall.
Rappelling
1980 – Contributed by Andrew Fish
Campers gather in the Campcraft area to lean how to rappel on the camp’s “camo” wall. The camo wall, complete with simulated rocky outcroppings, was a forerunner to the current C.O.P.E course.
Rappelling
Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Camper Jon DeVirgilio rappels down the original Horseshoe rappelling tower, which was located in the Campcraft area prior to moving to the C.O.P.E. course. Little did he know that about ten years later he’d be the C.O.P.E. director.
These rappelling boards will constructed during staff week in 1990 and were only used for a few years until the COPE course opened . They were build “ladder” style between two large pine trees, and the facing plywood was designed to be removed each offseason (although it rarely was). The original rappelling boards had been build “stilt” style and were used for many, many years prior to 1990, and were taken down by the staff each off-season and stored at Kindness Center. In those days, rappelling was scheduled as a troop activity and open to all scouts, regardless of age.
Memorabilia
Display Details
Any memorabilia for the C.O.P.E. program we will list in this display.
See Also
Click HERE to see the museum’s main Memorabilia room.
C.O.P.E. Segment
2008 – Contributed by Anonymous
A Scout can earn this award by participating in Camp Horseshoe’s C.O.P.E. program.
Mountain Biking Segment
2008 – Contributed by Anonymous
A Scout can earn this award by participating in the week-long Mountain Biking program.
1998 Camp Horseshoe Staff and Leader Stein
1998 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This leader and staff stein displays the Allen K. Forssmark Cope course which had been under construction for several years.
HSR Cope Sticker
2023 – Contributed by Scott Hoopes
A sticker for HSR COPE, a weekend program for Scouts and Scouters to do COPE during the winter.
HSR COPE Mug
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The HSR Cope Mug.
COPE T-Shirt
2001 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
One of the first COPE t-shirts, this green classic has been worn by many because of it’s excellent rear design.
Weekend COPE Staff Shirt
Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
The Weekend COPE Staff Shirt.
COPE Necklace
2007 – Contributed by Kevin Diestelow
A COPE necklace won at a Boomtown station in 2007.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Display Details
Enjoy this jigsaw puzzle of the C.O.P.E. Course. Press this button to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.
2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Documents
Display Details
C.O.P.E.-related documents will be included in this display.
Here are the original blueprints for the C.O.P.E. building. 2000 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
C.O.P.E. Staff
Display Details
This displays highlights some of the C.O.P.E. staff that have made the program soar since the 1990s!
The C.O.P.E. Originals
1996 – Contributed by Andrew Smith
Al Forssmark (left), Matt Knopfle, and Brendan Battenfelder prepare for a rappelling stunt in the Dining Hall.
C.O.P.E. Staff
2001 – Contributed by Jim Battenfelder
The 2001 Horseshoe COPE Staff: Bruce Welton, Brendan Battenfelder, Dan Hady, Bruce Durke , and Brian Williams
C.O.P.E. Staff
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
The 2002 C.O.P.E. Staff (from left): Ricky Franks, Jon DeVirgilio, Brian Hady, and Pete Demyanovich.
COPE Staff
2005 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
COPE Staff (from left) – Nick Hove, Ricky Franks, Scott Mitchell, Pete Demyanovich, and Andrew Coe.
Adventures in Hoss-ness
2010 – Contributed by Mike LaRosa
The C.O.P.E. staff for 2010: Ty Keyes, Mike LaRosa, Chris Palmer, Scott Mitchell.
Brian Williams
2001 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
C.O.P.E. Director Brian Williams.
Matt Knopfle
1997 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
C.O.P.E. Director Matt Knopfle.
Scott Mitchell
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
C.O.P.E. Director Scott Mitchell.
Brendan Battenfelder
2000 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
C.O.P.E. Director Brendan Battenfelder.
Andrew Walker
2004 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
C.O.P.E. Director Andrew “Wombat” Walker.
C.O.P.E. Area Directors
Display Details
Here is the listing of known C.O.P.E. area directors for Camp Horseshoe.
to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.
