The center’s focus is providing environmental and adventure education experiences for youth as young as first grade, through adults. Grades 1-6 come for environmental programs. Most others are interested in adventure programs.

There are two high-ropes courses, and numerous teams-course activities are spread throughout the site. A three-sided climbing tower includes two for climbing and one for rappelling. One of the two ropes courses is in a mature oak stand, with some approaching three feet in diameter. The second is constructed of poles in an open area.

The teams course includes some 20 initiatives (or activities). There are three zigzags and two spiders webs. One electric fence can be augmented with a second that is portable.

Programming allows up to 10 groups totaling some 150 persons to enjoy this wonderful wooded and natural open-area site. On most any day, year around, you can see all ages involved in activities. Buses arrive filled with young people and adults. Teachers use the site for in-service work, and corporate groups use both the teams and ropes courses. The US Marines train on the ropes course, and police units take over the facilities on some days for hostage dramas.

Center rules shut the facility down only when winds are above 25 knots, wind chill dips to 10 below zero Fahrenheit, or lightening occurs. Four full-time staff workers are augmented by 10 part timers. The staff also leads road trips — rock climbing, mountain climbing, rappelling, camping, canoe trips, and adventure travel-study. During the spring and fall, they also provide safety and facilitation training for a limited number of people interested in conducting their own programs at Irons Oaks.

The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District acquired part of the land in 1971 and the Olympia Fields Park District joined them in acquiring the rest. Plans are being made to nearly double the site over the next five years. The additional property will enable building a third ropes course and a field house.

Irons Oaks has served the Chicago area since 1978 and is located on Volmer Road in Olympia Fields about five miles south of the intersection of I-294 and I-80. Space is about equally divided on the north and south of Volmer.