Off-Season at Genesee Valley: The Quiet Work That Makes the Magic Possible
Spotlight on Pete Schmaus, Challenge Course Manager
By: Dr. Kristin Johnson
When Genesee Valley feels quiet in the winter, Pete Schmaus is anything but idle.
While the land rests, Pete and lawnmower Adam are behind the scenes repairing, rebuilding, and reimagining the spaces that make adventure possible. From refreshing gear storage areas with new lighting and paint to improving the aquatic center so it’s more welcoming, functional, and storm-ready, his off-season work sets the tone for everything that follows.
This winter, Pete replaced compromised barn ceilings, collaborated on an Eagle Scout project to rebuild footbridges in the Russell programming area, and brought new life to a donated playground—complete with extra swings, because more swings always means more fun! He also reworked fencing in the camp checkout field to improve access, flow, and flexibility for campers, families, mini horses, and even the snowball truck.
Caring for the land is just as important. Working with an climbing arborist, Pete removed problem trees, turned fallen wood into firewood, and created wildlife habitats from branches—then scheduled the next round of stewardship before spring arrives. When the Pavilion’s well-loved wood stove finally gave out, Pete made sure a replacement was ready to keep participants warm.
On the challenge course, the transformation continues. Pete and facilitator Alex are rebuilding the Miller Burma Bridge into an entirely new adventure, constructing new platforms, and reimagining elements like Double Trouble into taller, more dynamic climbing experiences. The Pavilion Zipline has a brand-new receiving platform, with more upgrades underway.
One of the most impactful changes this season isn’t flashy—but it matters. Pete redesigned how backwraps connect to belay cables, bringing the system closer to the tree and closer to the facilitator. That simple shift means cleaner transitions, less leaning over platform edges, fewer staples going into living trees, and an all-around smoother experience for participants and staff. The update reflects best practices used by Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards and GVOLC ropes course gets inspected by an ACCT vendor annually.
As winter settles in, Pete is also splicing new tethers—quiet, meticulous work that ensures safety long before the first group arrives.
Because when participants clip in, step up, and trust the course, it’s Pete’s off-season dedication—grounded in ACCT safety standards—that makes that moment possible.
Sources
Association for Challenge Course Technology. (2019). ANSI/ACCT 03-2019: Challenge Course and Canopy/Zip Line Tours Standards (American National Standard). ACCT International.
Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved April 12, 2025, from https://www.geneseevalley.org
Maryland Department of Labor. (2024). Challenge courses and canopy/zip line tours—adoption of ANSI/ACCT standards (COMAR 09.12.61.06). https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/09.12.61.06
