YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS
What is Stowe Heights?
Stowe Heights is a facilitated outdoor ropes course designed for groups to build stronger teams through shared experiences. Participants work together to solve problems, navigate team-building initiatives, and tackle high and low ropes course elements in a safe, supportive environment. Every program is led by trained facilitators who tailor activities to each group's goals—whether that's improving communication, building trust, developing leadership, or simply creating a fun, memorable experience that strengthens relationships.
Our
Story
Stowe Heights Challenge Course (SHCC) is a ropes course owned and operated by Community Youth Concepts.
After the only public ropes course within 1 hour of Des Moines was shut down in 2017, CYC received a wave of messages from local schools and youth-serving organizations asking us to find a way to bring a similar experience back to Des Moines.
With support from Prairie Meadows and Polk County and a partnership with Des Moines Public Schools, CYC was able to fill this need for the community, and SHCC officially opened in 2020.
Get to Know Us
Community Youth Concepts (CYC) is a community-driven organization providing volunteer service opportunities and career-based mentoring to Iowa youth and adult participants.
Community Youth Concepts was founded in 2008 with the vision of an Iowa where all youth have access to high-quality opportunities that prepare them for success in school, work, and life.
"We have been using the ropes course and portable challenge for the past 8 years to help develop relationships among our incoming 6th graders. Through the experience, CYC provides, our students are able to build off a common experience to make their transition from separate elementary schools to a single middle school much smoother."
Abby Schueller
Urbandale Middle School and Movin' On Up collaborator