Vertical Playpen

The Training team (Chris, Lisa, Rich and Phil) talk about the different forms of documentation Challenge Course professionals should be aware of, including; - Local Operating Procedures (LOPs) - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - Inspection Reports - Challenge Course Portfolios This episode is supported by Sticker Mule - stickermule.com

Rachel Hailey of Rachel Hailey & Associates Consulting joins us on the podcast to talk about her early experiences with the outdoors, the work she does consulting on DEI topics and her hope for future generations. Find more about Rachel here: rhaileyconsulting.com

Todd Brown (Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) and Ian Doak (Assistant Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) discuss with Phil the process of a new installation of a challenge course; - What our program design process looks like - How to budget for a new program - How to find the perfect location - Training considerations when building a challenge course Learn more about our program design and installation services here: high5adventure.org/challenge-course-services/program-design-and-installation

Phil chats with fellow facilitator and podcaster Leanne Hughes about how she began in facilitation, her advice for emerging professionals and how we describe the work we do; Facilitator vs Trainer vs Educator. Find Leanne's podcast by searching First Time Facilitator and find more information about her work on her website: www.leannehughes.com

Todd Brown (Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) and Ian Doak (Assistant Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) discuss with Phil the process of an inspection of your challenge course; how to prepare for the inspection, what to expect on the day, and some best practices/pitfalls our inspectors have seen. Learn more about our inspection services here: high5adventure.org/challenge-course-services/inspection-and-repair-services

Phil is joined by his hometown connection Andrew Jillings to talk about his journey in experiential education, the benefits of both experience and certifications, and his winter reading list. Find out more about Hamilton College's Outdoor Leadership Program here: hamilton.edu/offices/adventure

When making your activity agenda it can be helpful to intentionally pick activities that can help you read your group. In this episode we explore what some of these activities are and their benefits. In order to better explore this concept, Phil calls up 8 of his facilitator friends to ask them what activities they use and why. These facilitators are: - Chris Damboise (Director of Training and Team Development, High 5) - Ryan McCormick (Edge of Leadership Director, High 5) - Greg Urban (Project Adventure) - Justin McGlamery (Focus Your Locus) - Rick Keegan (Trainer, High 5) - Lisa Hunt (Manager of Team Development, High 5) - Megan Meinan (UVM) - Chris Ortiz (Penn State)

Bob Ryan (Director of Safety and Risk Management at Project Adventure) chats with Chris Damboise (Director of Training and Team Development at High 5) about his introduction to the adventure industry, his work with writing standards and his program recommendations based on his risk management experience.

Chris, Lisa and Phil talk about High 5's ACCT certification process including how to prepare, why you might want a certification, what the process looks like, and common pitfalls we see as examiners. Chris also introduces the concept of Education - Preparation - Illumination - Certification.

In this episode, Phil and Jim are joined by Adam Ames (Type A) to discuss his experience being trained by Jim, the impact it had on him and the visual art piece that resulted from their experiences. Check out Type A's Team building (Align) here - typea.us/align