Center for Recreation and Tourism

THRIVE Spring 2026 Open course dates

Come and join us to see what the Ropes Course is all about. FREE!

Center for Recreation and Tourism

As we have stepped into the twenty-first century, the recreation, tourism and hospitality industries significantly impact all Americans. Recreation and leisure impacts general health and quality of life concerns. The challenge is to modify life-span life styles in an effort to extend life expectancy as well as improve the quality of life while simultaneously reducing health care and human service costs.

The purpose of the Center for Recreation and Tourism is to act as a vehicle for promoting health, a balanced life style, and overall well-being through a variety of recreation and leisure experiences. The center provides training, education, and research endeavors undertaken by the Department of Recreation and Tourism.

One of the major initiatives of the center is the Adventure Learning program which offers programs in training and installation.

The function of the Center for Recreation and Tourism shall be to manage and direct those activities and initiatives appropriate to the purpose of the Center. The Center shall have following areas of service:
1. Research and other scholarly activity;
2. Professional publications;
3. Continuing education;
4. Community service initiatives.

The work of the Center shall cover any area appropriate to the professional interests of the faculty of the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, and shall include research and publications, special courses, seminars and lectures, meetings, workshops and clinics, as well as other such initiatives that may be appropriate to the purpose of the Center.

THRIVE Grant (High Ropes Challenge Course)

Project THRIVE is a free, fun way to promote reliance on yourself, and your companions. THRIVE is funded by the Campus Quality Fee (CQF) grant, is designed to enhance student success.

You’ll work with Recreation and Tourism Management (RTM) faculty and students, and through low- and high-challenge activities. You’ll discover improved confidence and better skills for relying on your teammates, and you’ll show them they can rely on you! 

These challenges will nudge you out of your comfort zone – maybe even motivate you to leap in.

Open to all CSUN student groups like Sororities, Fraternities, Teams, Clubs, and more! Email us at HighRopesCourse@csun.edu or call (818) 677-4723.

Start Out Strong

Bring your team out for a private 4 to 6 hour program guaranteed to increase performance throughout the semester.

Improve Confidence

Challenges are designed to motivate inner strength be stepping outside one's comfort zone.

Work Together

Programs have components of low and high challenges that can only be completed with collaborations.

 

Schedule today!


The Center offers the following programs and activities:

A person is hanging on a rope for dear life

Adventure Learning Program

  • Ropes Course
  • Climbing Walls
  • Mobile Initiatives Courses
A line filled with people waiting to get on the Ropes Course while preparing themselves with gear

Recreation Institute

  • Lily Academy of Japan (Since 1997)
Boy Scout group harnessed onto an Odyssey course with blue helmets.

Community Programs

  • We have now partnered with Santa Clarita Valley Recreation and Community Services to offer Challenge Course activities to the community 
    • Adult teambuilding opportunities
    • Youth teambuilding opportunities
  • Other community programs available, contact us today at HighRopesCourse@csun.edu or (818) 677-4723.

Winter 2026 Courses

Located on our CSUN Campus on Lindley Ave. and Halsted St.

Start off on the ground with some fun teambuilding games and then participate in our individual and team courses. Finish off with our zip line! 

  • February 21, 2026 ages 18+ from 1pm-3pm
  • February 28, 2026 ages 10-17 from 1pm-3pm
Participants on Odyssey level 1 working as a team

LA City Recreation Centers

CSUN has now partnered with LA City to provide our High Ropes Challenge Course programs to LA City Recreation Centers. Taking reservations now through June 30, 2026!

Call, email, or fill out a reservation form here. 

Phone: (818) 677-4723

Email: HighRopesCourse@csun.edu

Ropes course staff during training

Employment Opportunities

Learn how to become a Ropes Course facilitator and play on our course! We offer certifications and experience in program facilitation, belaying, rescues, and team-building games.