Challenging Youth & Adults to Reach their Maximum Potential
The Obstacle Course at Bill Rudge Ministries in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, provides exceptional opportunities to train sports teams, youth groups, church groups, military personnel (soldiers, sailors, marines) and new recruits, mission teams preparing for upcoming trips, Scouts, children, teens, adults and families – all free of charge. Since 1986, Bill has designed a variety of obstacle courses for specialized training in gymnasiums and outside recreational venues throughout the U.S. and abroad. Bill has created several recreational activities, incorporated into his course regimens, which have been published by several magazines.His more rigorous routines are designed to help prepare new recruits for boot camp and the challenges of military service. An Army Recruiting Sergeant reported that his soldiers and new recruits loved it and were soaked with sweat – just what he wanted. A Navy Petty Officer said the exercises were great; that the sailors really enjoyed it. A Marine Recruiting Sergeant said the course was challenging in multiple ways and that his future Marines had a great time. Notes from coaches, players, youth leaders and others testify to the fun, challenge and life lessons gained through the obstacle course experience. Some who trained on the BRM Obstacle Course were preparing to try out for the Navy Seals and other Special Forces while others were conditioning to try out for American Ninja.Bill customizes every obstacle course adventure to meet specific needs, goals and levels of intensity for each group. Typically, groups are scheduled for 90 to 120 minutes. The shorter time includes mainly the obstacle course while the additional time involves innovative drills, relay races, recreational or sports activities, and individual or team competitions.Assistants help Bill lead participants through the multifaceted course where they face a variety of physical and mental challenges and choices. The obstacle course is great for motivating youth and adults to step out of their comfort zones and for Team Building – improving communication, producing leadership skills, promoting teamwork, instilling cooperation, and enhancing trust and encouragement of each other as groups take on challenges and reach goals together.Workouts on the obstacle course are interspersed with motivational and inspirational comments on such concepts as: attitude, choices, confidence, commitment, courage, determination, discipline, faith, life-balance, loyalty, nutrition, respect, and self-control (all biblical principles) with the intended purpose of challenging youth and adults to reach their maximum potential: Physically, by developing upper and lower body strength, agility, balance, control, and endurance. Mentally, in remembering the required exercises and options at each station while developing problem-solving skills to make necessary adjustments based on the circumstances. Emotionally, by rising above one’s fears to meet challenges with a positive attitude and confidence. Spiritually, Bill shares his personal experience in discovering true strength; talks with them about how skills developed on the obstacle course can be used in life, and gives copies of his books to those who request them.
How It All Started
Bill started developing obstacle courses for the youth soccer teams he coached, which have morphed and expanded over the years. The current course was built by many volunteers – primarily using natural materials such as logs and tree stumps. Dick Hetrick and other volunteers cut down trees on-site, then crafted them for the various challenges. Throw in some car, truck, and tractor tires, ropes, and over-sized monkey bars, as well as a balance beam and wall (built by South Py Community Church) and you have the Ultimate Challenge Obstacle Course at Bill Rudge Ministries (BRM). Several individuals, businesses, churches and organizations volunteer their time, talents, and resources toward maintenance, while others assist Bill in running it.
U.S. Army Recruiter
Future Soldiers and US Army Service Members from all over northwestern PA participated in a team building obstacle course at Bill Rudge Ministries. This was a great event that helped our Future Soldiers get a workout while building bonds with each other. From the tug of war to the obstacle course, our Future Soldiers were given the opportunity to work together as a cohesive team – a good introduction to the teamwork utilized daily in the Army. The event was coordinated with the New Castle Recruiting Company, consisting of stations in Erie, Meadville, Hermitage, New Castle, and Beaver, PA.
SSG Erika Rogers, U.S. Army Recruiter
Marine Station Commander
The Poolee’s had an amazing time at the obstacle course! Great workout that involved the whole-body concept (mind, body, spirit) which is a major focus point of MCRD training. I can’t thank you and your staff enough for the opportunity to go through this course and I look forward to doing it again with our next class of future marines.
GySgt Daniel T. Pelletier, RSS Cranberry, Station Commander
LindenPointe eAcademy Program Director
It was a fantastic day! Bill is a fantastic leader, and his team was top-notch! eAcademy students spent the afternoon challenging themselves and each other to be better with every task Bill presented. The obstacle course allows for individual challenges, small group competitions, and whole team initiatives. He and his team kept students engaged for over two hours, as they learned how to persevere through struggles. One of their favorite challenges was the box race! They had a blast improving communication, producing leadership skills, promoting teamwork, instilling cooperation, and enhancing trust and encouragement of each other. Thank you so much for spending your afternoon with us! We can’t wait to come back! (A card was signed by all the students.)
Katie Parr, M.Ed., eAcademy Program Director, LindenPointe
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach
Thank you for letting the team come and for leading such a wonderful ministry! We hadn’t done anything like this before, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I think sometimes, in order to learn things, it is helpful to learn them in a different context, and I am so grateful that we were able to do this! Doing something that was challenging and unpredictable was really beneficial for the team: there is something incredibly valuable in physical challenges that are about more than “you.” I think it brings out the best in people and helps us to see, in a tangible way, how our actions impact others. The way that Bill brought faith, service, and sacrifice together was beautiful and fit in perfectly with the mission and purpose for the XC programs here. This is an amazing ministry, and is especially impactful for those who are kinesthetic learners.
Laura Rybka, Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach, Grove City College
Grove City College Admissions Counselor
I highly recommend bringing your group to Bill Rudge Ministries’ obstacle course, whether a sports team, staff, club or another group. Rudge Ministries provides a challenge tailored to you no matter your experience level. It is a great way to get in good physical and mental shape and a way to have a lot of fun with your group. Christians and non-Christians alike can grow here; a very unique facility for the area with a very encouraging staff. I encourage you to give it a try.
Brett McBride, Summer’s Best Two Weeks Work Crew Director / Grove City College Admissions Counselor
Summer’s Best Two Weeks
Thank you for another fun and bonding experience. I am so happy that we were connected with you last year and this year. You have a great thing going and I am looking forward to many more memories for our group with you on the obstacle course.
S. R., SB2W Director
Cross Country Coach
My kids had an amazing time on the obstacle course! I know that God will use the words you shared for his glory! Thank you so much!
B. M.
Boy Scouts
Bill & Team, We found the obstacle course very challenging. It pushed us to be our best. It helped us learn and try to overcome the challenges. Thank you so much!
All the Boy Scouts of Troop 45
Varsity and JV Soccer Teams
Bill and family, Thank you very much for having the soccer team at your obstacle course. The players and coaches really enjoyed and learned from the experience.
A. M.
U.S. Army
The day went so well preparing the recruits for their journey in the U.S. Army that we are planning to return (which they did a few weeks later).
Sgt. K. R.
Marines
All the future Marines had a great time at your course. The course was challenging in many different ways and they appreciate you having us. And we will be using your course in the future to prepare our young future Marines.
Gunnery Sgt. M. K., Station Commander
Varsity and JV Volleyball Teams
Bill, It was great! We definitely will do it again and make it part of our conditioning next year. Thank you so much.
S. G.
Cray Youth and Family Services
Bill, We always enjoy the activities and the way you present them.
A. W.
Huge Inspiration
Bill and Karen, Thank you for having me at the ministry center and obstacle course so many times over the years. Your outstanding character and relationship with Christ has been a HUGE inspiration for me. You have changed my life in more ways than you know.
M. L.
Varsity and JV Soccer Teams
Bill, I really enjoyed the course. It was so fun! Thank you for teaching us how to physically challenge ourselves and for teaching us life lessons! The team bonding experience helped me learn to trust each other more and get to know everyone better!
K. P.
Compliments
Karen, you and Bill are great people. My daughter joined Sharpsville Cross Country this year and was at the ministry last week for the obstacle course. You can pass along to Bill that my daughter just loves him! She talked about him for at least 45 minutes after she got home that night!
C. A.
Cross Country Coach
Bill, Thank you so much for allowing us to use the obstacle course and teaching the kids the importance of team work and other life lessons. The kids were thrilled and challenged by the course and your words of encouragement!
B. M.
Bill Rudge Ministries 