Zipline and Peregrine Treehouse (2018)
Henry McCoy took the pictures.
Caleb Seney, executive director of MedCamps: The Peregrine Treehouse and Zipline marked the debut of a new activity on newly donated land at Camp Alabama that MedCamps of Louisiana is using. A completely accessible zipline that is more than 500 feet long and, in some places, almost 40 feet off the ground makes up the activity. The launch platform and staging area where the camper’s ride starts were created and constructed by the pupils. At the end of each camper’s ride is a treehouse that they also designed. Adventure Experience collaborated with MedCamps and Arch335 to create and set up the zipline. Every year, AE certifies the equipment and provides our employees with safety training.
Seeing a youngster who may spend all of their waking hours in a wheelchair come to the Peregrine, get harnessed, and be lifted up to the zipline where they may also fly through the tree canopy at the lake’s north end is nearly overwhelming. To put it mildly, this concept elevates totally accessible to a new level and distinguishes MedCamps from nearly every other experience a child in a wheelchair may have. I love seeing our campers’ fear as their turn draws near be replaced by the same tenacity and resolve they use every day, which blossoms into courage as they ascend to the platform, transfer to the zipline, and take off with squeals of excitement and joy. In essence, that is the main goal of MedCamps. With the reward of unrestrained delight, we take the impossible, make it possible, push our campers to face their fears, and cultivate grit and resilience in their life!
Tech Professor Brad Deal: Before Caleb challenged us to reach it by zip line, this project was just a basic treehouse concept. We answered right away, “Definitely not!” However, after doing some research, we found Adventure Experiences, a zip line company in Trinity, Texas, whose owner had a special needs daughter and was raised in Farmerville. He was enthusiastic and dedicated to helping us make it happen from the moment we called. An Le was also introduced to Design Build at this time; she subsequently returned to the studio in 2024 as a co-instructor. It was difficult to top this project. The excitement of launching ordinarily wheelchair-bound campers sailing through the treetops was too great for any subsequent one to match.
Program Overview: Special needs-based zip line landing and launch structures, such as a climbing tower and tree home.
Statement of Program:Participants at a program for kids with special needs are encouraged to embrace the exhilarating experience of flying by this 712-foot zip line and support structures. During the launch, the zip-line is optically obscured and revealed by spectacular steel barriers that point aloft. Wheelchair-bound campers may be lifted up, swiveled into place, and transported onto the zip line thanks to a pivoting swing-arm and a varied deck that makes loading safe. The tree house, which stretches horizontally as the earth slopes away, is where riders unload. After that, campers are positioned on a high vantage point with a view of a stream, where they can see a variety of plants and animals. The impression of a tree house is further enhanced by a floor hatch that allows access to the ground below. In addition to providing an accessible ropes course challenge, a 50-foot steel tower represents flight. A breathtaking view of the horizon from the treetops rewards the courageous. A story about two peregrine falcons being given to a monarch who appreciated the birds’ grace, speed, and strength served as the inspiration for the project. But one of the falcons just wouldn’t fly. The monarch was visited by a peasant who said she could make the falcon fly after numerous professionals tried in vain to fix this. The monarch pleaded, “How?” as he saw the second falcon soar through the skies. Just simply chopping off the limb the bird was perched on. “Some souls need to be reminded that they have wings,” she remarked.
Team for the Project:
Professors: Brad Deal and Robert Brooks
Students: Christian McVay, Laura Miller, Wesley Mitchell, Marisa Noonan, Chris Perry, Rashon Porter, Brie Ramsey, Randi Roberts, Casey Rogers, Raquel Ross, Sarah Sparks, Cameren Trowbridge, David Verzyvelt, Logan Vickery, Nick Winters, Amber Abadie, Anthony Ardoin, Devin Cashio, Ethan Carlisle, Khaki Coggins, Rachel Cowell, Jane Emory, Madison Hackworth, Jordy Head, Jacob Hunter, Jacob Hunter, Jennifer Jones, And Le
Honors: AIA Louisiana Member’s Choice Award, 2018
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