NEST challenge course opens at UMass Orchard Hill

The NEST Challenge Course at UMass Orchard Hill opened on April 14 and features 23 individual and team challenges across a Sky Park and an Odyssey Course; the facility includes an accessible ramp and built-in seating. The course is open now and students can register for free through the Recreation Center website.

The University of Massachusetts opened the Nurture, Empower, Support and Thrive (NEST) Challenge Course by Orchard Hill on April 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The course contains 23 individual and team-based challenges and was developed as part of campus recreation programming. It has two main sections, the Sky Park for individualized routes and the Odyssey Course focused on team-building. The facility includes accessible features and seating and was completed as an $800,000 project. Course details: - Opened April 14 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and is located by the Orchard Hill Residential Area. - The course offers 23 high and low elements across two sections: the Sky Park (individual, choose-your-own path) and the Odyssey Course (team activities). - The site includes an accessible ramp to the first landing deck, built-in seating, and eight low elements around the base. - The project cost $800,000 and was finished in the fall, making UMass one of two universities with a sky park. - RecWell and campus leaders described the course as a tool for strengthening teams and creating connections among students, staff and community partners. - The course will host programs for student groups, classes, departments and community partners, and registration is available through the Recreation Center website. Summary: University leaders and RecWell staff said the NEST course is intended to strengthen teams and create connections across campus and with surrounding communities. The facility adds a new recreation asset to UMass and will support programming for student groups, classes, departments and community partners. The course is open now and registration is available through the Recreation Center website.