You’re standing 35 feet in the air on a wooden platform the size of a card table and you have to get to another platform by jumping what looks like six feet or more away. Sure, you have a harness on and you’re tethered in. But you’re standing 35 feet in the air . . . on a platform.

You take hold of the yellow “lobster claw” ropes — lanyards referred to as “lifelines” that keep you connected to a supporting cable overhead. For a flash of a moment you think, “What am I doing up here?” But the thought is broken by an encouraging yell from your “buddy,” or course partner, on the other side, who’s cheering you on.

You scan the surrounding levels and obstacles for courage and see that others on the structure have joined in the cheering, giving you a boost of bravery. A staff member in a purple shirt gives you the thumbs up from across the way.

Swallowing hard, you jump.

Opened this past June, Monkey C Monkey Do is Maine’s only multi-level high ropes course and zip line park. Located off Route 1 in Wiscasset, the family adventure park adds an alternative to the ocean and lobster-themed recreation of the area.

“Tourism is a big part of this area and we wanted to offer people something different to do with their families,” says owner Danielle King, who operates the park with her husband, Bill, several family members and staff from the community. “We wanted to have a little bit more variety up here and we thought this would work well.”

After hearing about rope courses from her parents, who wanted to take King’s children to a similar park in New Hampshire, King and her husband began researching the courses on YouTube.com. Something clicked. They began learning everything they could about the business, eventually seeking out a location, qualified builders and the necessary accreditation and training to make the idea a reality.

The result of their efforts is a three-level cable and wood course that has everything from rope bridges and cargo nets to tight-rope walking and, of course, “The Leap.” Starting at 15 feet, the first level is geared toward beginners and children. As you get acclimated to the height and become more comfortable maneuvering through the obstacles, you can progress to the higher levels. Each of the three levels increases in difficulty, up to a 40-foot-high “Screaming Monkey” zip line that takes you on a gradual 400-foot ride to the bottom.

“It’s nerve-racking, but that’s what’s exciting about it,” says Ann Duffy as she waits with her husband, Matt, and two young children to get harnesses on inside the brightly colored lobby with monkey motif.

Originally from Georgia, the Duffys were vacationing in Maine before moving to Abu Dhabi, and were taking the summer to bond as a family. The ropes course, explains Ann, is a way to build their trust in each other before embarking on the adventure overseas.

“This will help us learn to rely on each other,” adds Matt, “like we’ll need to rely on each other when we move to a new place.”

With more than 100 visitors a day, Monkey C Monkey Do has been attracting everyone from families like the Duffys to corporate groups and retirees.

 “There are a lot of families, groups of friends and grandparents and grand kids that come,” says King. They’ve hosted local staffs looking to mesh as a unit, sororities, a group of adults with Down syndrome and a group of three 70-year-old women who have all loved the experience. “It really is for anybody,” says King. The motto is they serve 4-year-olds to 104.

“The concept was to have people help each other accomplish something, to be proud, build confidence and to encourage bonding,” explains King.

After going to Ground School — which includes watching a safety video, being fitted with a harness threaded with lanyards, and getting thoroughly instructed on the basics of communication and the safety expected on the course — it’s time to take on Level 1 of the jungle-gym looking structure. Fifteen-feet up in the air isn’t too bad and the partially secured wooden bridges make is easy to go no-handed if you have momentum. Encouragement from staff members and other patrons fuel determination.

After completing the first portion of the course, if the staff thinks you’re able to progress, you’re free to try any of the more difficult levels or go for a joyride on the zip line.

“This is my sixth time!” squeals 5-year-old Connor McNeil from New York as he gets unhooked by staff from the 400-foot zip line. He and his mother, Denise, are doing the course while his father and 2-year-old brother enjoy a snack at one of the picnic tables nearby.

“I love trying different things with my son and he’s great at this. I’m so proud of him,” says Denise. By the end of the day, she and Connor had gone nine times on the zip line — his favorite part.

“And I’ll tell you,” adds McNeil, “this sure gets you over any fear of heights you might have. I thought I’d be afraid, but we’re doing it.”

Trained staff members are located at various stations throughout the course to assist anyone who may become anxious or frozen with fear. They use a three-part system of verbally coaching, going to the person and finishing the obstacle next to them until they arrive safely on the platform or, in extreme cases, a rescue where they lower the person down to the ground. They’ve only had to do the latter once, they said, and the person immediately returned to take on the course at the lower level.

“The best part of this job is watching people accomplish things they never knew they could,” says staff member Tim Andrews. “Even if they’re scared at first, we walk them through and help them out. Everyone who tries it is really excited at the end. It’s a very rewarding — and enjoyable — job.”

Standing on the ground after completing the course with her daughter, looking up at her husband and son maneuvering the highest level in the course, Ann Duffy beamed with pride. “It was super challenging, but in a fun way. I really loved doing it with my daughter, Lydia. She was a very particular teammate and I knew she would keep me safe. I learned a lot about her. This totally exceeded my expectations.”

Monkey C Monkey Do

Route 1, Wiscasset

(207) 882- 6861

Open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

(After September, hours change. See website for details.)

www.monkeycmonkeydo.com

Cost:

Zip Line tickets start at $10 (3 rides)

Full course tickets start at $25 and include up to 3 hours of unlimited access to all course levels as well as unlimited “zips” on any of the three zip lines.

Family Pass: All families up to 4 people (must include 1 adult participant), $99. Additional members, $18 each.

Season passes, exclusive course rentals and birthday party rentals also available.