The state-of-the-art Temple Ambler challenge course facility features a total of 15 permanent elements. Student organizations, classroom teams, research interns and more are able to explore the teambuilding opportunities offered through the challenge course. Programs for the course are conducted in 2 to 4- or 5 to 8-hour experiences and highlight problem-solving, conflict resolution and foster trust within a group or team.

Those interested in booking a program or retreat may reach out to Holly Lynn, Manager of Experiential Learning, at holly.lynn@temple.edu or 267-468-8107.

Since its inception, the challenge course has welcomed students from the Temple Honors Program, the Health Sciences Campus Student Faculty Center (SFC) and the Cecil B. Moore Scholars, among many others. The course has become a popular part of New Student Orientation experiences, such as OwlVenture, which welcomed new students to a night of tent camping and other activities for the first time in summer 2024, and the annual Temple Wellness Day event, which has welcomed hundreds of students to Temple Ambler for a day focused on taking a deep breath and de-stressing.

The challenge course has additionally played host to cooperative learning exercises by Temple University Undergraduate Admissions, Temple University University College staff and administrators, Information Technology Services and more for programs highlighting teambuilding, creativity, communication and thinking outside the box.

According to Tim Bradley, Assistant Director of Campus Activities, SFC Activities or Operations, "the team at Temple Ambler provides such a great atmosphere and experience for students and staff alike."

"Their workshops and teambuilding activities that tie into the beauty and nature of the campus give the stress relief we all need and create lasting memories for yourself and your team," he said.

For Temple Honors Program student leaders and staff, who experienced these initiatives firsthand, "the activities were appropriately challenging and invigorating for us to learn about teamwork, active listening and community building," said Jackie Lopez, Academic Advisor for the Temple Honors Program. 

"We appreciated the experiential learning aspect as well as being able to reflect and debrief as a group to strengthen and grow both individually and collectively," she said.

Whether it's a first-year student, a student leader, a department director or a faculty member, the goal is for everyone who participates in our programs to develop a positive sense of self identity and a positive sense of group identity, recognizing the individual strengths, skills and abilities that you may bring to the team but also recognizing how you play a critical role in the group that you are a part of.

For groups from a school setting, this is familiar SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) language. For education administrators, this aligns with state academic standards for career and societal readiness.