Vertical Playpen

Join us on this insightful episode as we sit down with Spud Marshall, a creative community builder and facilitator, to explore the nuances of facilitating and harnessing the power of collective wisdom. In our conversation, we delve into Spud's personal journey and ask the thought-provoking question: "When have you felt most alone?" Discover how Spud's insights on navigating these feelings of solitude have shaped his approach to community building. As an introverted facilitator, Spud provides a unique perspective on engaging with others while honoring his own energy. Learn how he leverages his introversion as a strength, allowing him to listen attentively, create safe spaces, and foster deep connections within the communities he serves. One of the key aspects we explore is tapping into the collective wisdom of groups. Spud shares strategies, techniques, and stories that demonstrate the power of bringing diverse voices together to generate innovative solutions and collective intelligence. Finally, we dive into the benefits of focusing on long-term outcomes for participants. Spud's experience reveals how nurturing a community's growth and development over time leads to lasting impact and transformation. Gain insights into the ripple effects that can emerge when facilitators prioritize the bigger picture and guide participants towards sustainable growth. Learn more about Spud - https://mycreative.community/ Connect with Spud - iamspud5@gmail.com Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

In this thought-provoking episode, Phil and Lisa unravel the essence of achievement, a realm where goals are often set externally, driven by the expectations and judgments of others versus the realm of accomplishment, where individuals set their own goals based on personal growth and learning. By empowering ourselves to define success and progress on our own terms, we explore how accomplishment provides a more intrinsic and fulfilling motivation. Drawing connections to the field of adventure education, we explore how educators can inspire and guide learners to cultivate a healthy balance between achievement and accomplishment. We reflect on the importance of encouraging students to set their own goals, fostering a sense of ownership and agency in their learning journeys. What did this make you consider regarding the way you work with your participants? Let us know either by email - podcast@high5adventure.org or via instagram - @verticalplaypen NY Times essay - "What we lose when push our kids to 'Achieve'" by Adam Gopnik - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/opinion/youth-achievement-happiness.html Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

In this episode Phil answers the following questions submitted by you, the listeners; - Is there room for introverts in facilitation? - How do you stay genuine in a "performancy" profession? - What is your favorite icebreaker question? - Best closing to a single day program? - Most under-appreciated facilitator skill? - What's something you are bad at and are working on improving? - What's your process when you have a bad day? Submit all future questions to - podcast@high5adventure.org or send a message via instagram - @verticalplaypen Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Have you ever jumped into a role with limited experience and had to learn fast? In this episode, Mike Nelson, formally of Camp Wicosuta, joins Phil and Lisa to discuss; Why summer camp? How he embraced learning and demonstrated humility in the new role What he wished he had known and questions to ask when running an adventure program Advice for new adventure program leads. Connect with Mike - 23nelson@gmail.com Learn more about Camp Wicosuta - https://www.campwicosuta.com/ Music and sound effects - epidemic sound

Reflecting is often the part of the facilitation process that can seem the most daunting and challenging. How do you draw the learning from the experiences you create? In this episode, Phil details the activities and lessons he taught during a recent workshop he led titled "Reflecting Skills and Methods". The golden minute of reflection Connection as reflection How framing activities can make for easier reflection How the ABCDE's of problem solving can be used to reflect Music and sound effects - epidemic sound

Professional Hockey teams and High 5 have an interesting connection dating back to the 2010-2011 season when we first worked with the Boston Bruins. That season, they went on to win the Stanley Cup! Since then we have had the privilege to work with the following hockey teams; Mannheim Eagles (a team based in Germany) New Jersey Devils Calgary Flames One constant with these experiences has been Geoff Ward, who has served in various coaching roles for those teams. In this episode Phil is joined by Jim Grout (High 5's Founding Director) and Geoff Ward to discuss the last decade of team development work with Hockey teams.

Kyra Richardson (High 5 Trainer) and Ryan McCormick (Edge of Leadership) sit down together to discuss; Creating structure out of unstructured time Crafting opportunities to develop conversation skills Methods that can help conversations start Reflection that doesn't feel forced Learn more about High 5's Edge of Leadership program - https://high5adventure.org/edge-of-leadership/what-is-eol/ Connect with Kyra - krichardson@high5adventure.org Connect with Ryan - rmccormick@high5adventure.org Music and Sound Effects - epidemic sound

Life is Good. These were the words that hung behind Trevor (Executive Director of Camp Nuhop) as he joined Phil to discuss; The experience of growing up at camp The benefits of the "swoop" Creating community with your staff Why "Life is Good" Learn more about Camp Nuhop - https://nuhop.org/ Connect with Trevor - trevor@nuhop.org Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

How does the way we introduce ourselves to our participants impact them? Lisa asks Phil; "Inspired by a recent episode on Ego, how does how we introduce ourselves to our groups help with the self efficacy model of role models?" This leads to thoughts on; Unachievable targets Authenticity and vulnerability Being relatable Sharing the why and not the what Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com High 5's Annual Symposium is a great coming together of adventure professionals who love to have fun, share and learn. It's a special 1-day event for our community to reconnect, re-energize, and re-engage with our learning and each other! We've lined up over 15 workshop sessions, each one offering timely topics, fresh ideas, and creative tools and activities that you can start using immediately in your classroom, challenge course program, workplace, camp, outdoor center - wherever adventure learning takes you. Register for the Symposium here - https://store.high5adventure.org/products/adventure-practitioners-symposium-1-day?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&_ga=2.255767051.2090452263.1678733796-1154500371.1670878511

Perry Cohen (Founder and Executive Director of The Venture Out Project) joins Phil to discuss; His introduction to High 5 and Adventure Education Facilitation values and thoughts How The Venture Out Project began and its impact How to build a community Improving career access in the outdoor industry Learn more about The Venture Out Project - https://www.ventureoutproject.com/ Connect with Perry - perry@ventureoutproject.com Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com High 5's Annual Symposium is a great coming together of adventure professionals who love to have fun, share and learn. It's a special 1-day event for our community to reconnect, re-energize, and re-engage with our learning and each other! We've lined up over 15 workshop sessions, each one offering timely topics, fresh ideas, and creative tools and activities that you can start using immediately in your classroom, challenge course program, workplace, camp, outdoor center - wherever adventure learning takes you. Register for the Symposium here - https://store.high5adventure.org/products/adventure-practitioners-symposium-1-day?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&_ga=2.255767051.2090452263.1678733796-1154500371.1670878511