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The people who operate your challenge course are your most valuable assets. We recognize their importance — whether we are teaching the basics to new Facilitators, re-verifying staff skills, introducing portable experiential activities to group leaders, or presenting a value-added workshop to seasoned staff — we make sure that they walk away with all questions answered and their level of understanding enhanced. If there is a specific topic that you would like us to focus on, let us know. We are here to provide resources, education, and customized solutions for you and your staff. Certification Testing practices have been accredited by the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).

Proficiency Trainings

Participating in a Proficiency Training prepares you to facilitate on a Challenge Course / Climbing Structure.  It is also a great way to increase your own knowledge and self-confidence.  No matter what your level of experience, during a Challenge Options training you will have the opportunity to learn new skills, ask questions, share concerns and discuss ideas.  Facilitator Trainings include an Introduction to the Challenge Course and the Challenge Options philosophy, Low and High Element Safety, Specialty Element Safety, Processing Techniques, Program Sequencing, Technical Skill Education and Verification (climbing, equipment use, High Course set-up/take-down, knots, belaying), Rescue Skills, introduction to Industry Standards, and a Written TestThe average length of a full Proficiency Training is 40 to 60 hours.  It is important that staff keep up-to-date with their skills.  The Challenge Options Proficiency expires after one (1) year.  The basic Refresher Training offered by Challenge Options is typically 4 to 6 hours in length.  Refresher Trainings are often combined with Continuing Education Workshops to create a value-added experience for your staff.

Continuing Education Workshops

Challenge Options offers a menu of continuing education workshops that allows your Challenge Course staff to continue to increase their processing and activity presentation skills, as well as their technical skills, year after year.

 

CHALLENGE COURSE FACILITATOR

2010 Level 1 Open Enrollment Proficiency Trainings

Anyone over 18 years old may register – All information needed for successful completion will be presented during the training – no experience is necessary.  Trainees must be able to physically demonstrate ability to complete technical skills, demonstrate an attitude of care and responsibility, and receive a score of 90% or higher on a written test in order to receive a status of Lead Facilitator.

 

Challenge Options is a Professional Vendor Member of ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology)

All services are offered in accordance with ACCT Standards

 

Dates and Locations   

REFRESHER - SPOTTED/LOWS & HIGHS - March 12 (Friday) 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Location: Heartland Center, near Kansas City

Specialty Elements: Dangle Duo, Flying Squirrel, Giant Swing, Power Pole, Rappelling, Trust Fall, Zip Line

Belay Types: Facilitator Belay, Static Belay, Continuous Static Belay, Moving Team Belay, Fixed Anchor Team Belay

 

SPOTTED/LOWS – March 15-16 (Monday - Tuesday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center, Kansas City area

Specialty Elements: Team Wall, Trust Fall

 

HIGHS – March 17-19 (Wednesday - Friday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, south of Kansas City

Specialty Elements: Dangle Duo, Giant Swing, Rappelling, Zip Line

Belay Types: Facilitator Belay, Static Belay

 

REFRESHER - SPOTTED/LOW & HIGHS – May 11 (Tuesday) 12:30p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

SPOTTED/LOWS – May 12-13 (Wednesday - Thursday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

HIGHS – May 14-16 (Friday - Saturday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: YMCA Camp Kitaki, near Lincoln, Nebraska

Specialty Elements: Team Wall, Trust Fall, Flying Squirrel, Rappelling, Zip Line

Belay Types: Facilitator Belay, Moving Team Belay, Fixed Anchor Team Belay

 

 

 

 

REFRESHER - SPOTTED/LOW & HIGHS – May 24 (Monday) 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

SPOTTED/LOWS – May 25-26 (Tuesday – Wednesday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

HIGHS – May 27-29 (Thursday – Saturday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Camp Tawakoni, near Wichita, Kansas

Specialty Elements: Team Wall, Trust Fall, Zip Wire, Rappel, Portable Power Perch

Also includes training on portable Flip Flop Platforms

 

Belay Types: Facilitator Belay

 

2010 Level 2 & Challenge Course Manager Trainings and Certification

The Challenge Options' Certification Process has been reviewed & approved as meeting the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Standards.  Facilitators with previous training & experience may apply (Spotted/High Tracks and "Challenge In" options are available).  The Certification process includes a Written Test, a Practical Skills Check, & a Portfolio Review.  It does not include any training, teaching or review of Facilitator skills.  Applicants must pass testing on all of the skills to receive Full Certification. See requirements below for Certification Testing. 

 

Anyone 18 years or over may register for just the Level 2 Training and/or the Challenge Course Manager Workshop.  Level 2 training builds on Level 1 skills - previous Challenge Course experience or training is necessary.  Previous facilitation experience/training is helpful but not required to attend the Challenge Course Manager Workshop (experience is required to test for Certification). 

 

CHALLENGE COURSE MANAGER WORKSHOP – February 12 - 13 (Friday - Saturday ) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

CHALLENGE COURSE MANAGER CERTIFICATION TEST DAY - February 14* (Sunday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center, near Kansas City

 

LEVEL 2 TRAINING – March 8 - 12 (Monday - Friday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

LEVEL 1 & 2 CERTIFICATION TEST DAY - March 12 - 13* (Friday Night - Saturday) 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Heartland Center, near Kansas City

Specialty Elements: Dangle Duo, Flying Squirrel, Giant Swing, Power Pole, Rappelling, Trust Fall, Zip Line

Belay Types: Facilitator Belay, Static Belay, Continuous Static Belay, Moving Team Belay, Fixed Anchor Team Belay

 

*Note:  It is possible to take the Challenge Course Manager Certification Test prior to taking the Level 2 Certification Test.  Upon completion of the Level 2 Certification, the CCM  Certification card will be issued. 

 

 

 

LEVEL 1 LOW ELEMENT PROFICIENCY TRAINING

Cost:  $180 (room and board not included)

Includes: 20 Hours

v      Intro to Challenge Options & the Challenge Course

v      “No Prop” Activities for use anytime, anywhere

v      Low and Specialty Element Guidelines

v      Processing Techniques & Group Dynamics

v      Program Sequence – presenting elements progressively

v      Technical Skills – Element Presentation, Spotting, etc.

v      Critical Responses – Prevention Skills

 

LEVEL 1 HIGH ELEMENT PROFICIENCY TRAINING

Cost:  $270 (room and board not included)

Includes: 30 Hours

v      Intro to Challenge Options & the Challenge Course

v      “No Prop” Activities for use anytime, anywhere

v      High and Specialty Element Guidelines

v      Processing Techniques & Group Dynamics

v      Program Sequence – presenting elements progressively

v      Technical Skills – Element Presentation, Spotting, Belaying, Course Access, Leading Edge Climbing, Equipment Use, Knots, High Course Set-up, etc.

v      Critical Responses – Prevention and Rescue Skills

 

LEVEL 2 LOW & HIGH ELEMENT PROFICIENCY TRAINING

Cost:  $360 (room and board not included)

Includes: 40 Hours

v      Low and High Element Review and Activity Variations

v      Specialty Element Review

v      Advanced Processing Techniques

v      Operating Systems - Facilitator Belay (multiple techniques and belay devices), Team Belay Fixed Anchor, Team Belay Moving Team, Static Belay, Static Continuous Belay

v      Course Access - Pole Wrap, Lead Anchor, Cable Grab

v      Equipment Use - multiple manufacturers and types

v      Inspections and Course Maintenance

v      Universal/Accessible use of Challenge Course - 3:1 Systems

v      Knots - multiple belay knots

v      Critical Responses - Prevention, Belay Escape, Equipment Retrieval, Technical Rescues

 

LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATION TEST DAY

Cost:  $225 (room and board not included)

To be accepted to take the Certification Test, applicants must:

v      Be at least 18 years old

v      Be able to perform Self-Belayed (Leading Edge) Climbs and Technical Rescues (not required of applying to Low/Spotted only track)

v      Submit an Application that documents a minimum of:

            ~ 400 Facilitation hours and

            ~ 80 Training hours

v      Have a Portfolio with documentation to support those hours

 

CHALLENGE COURSE MANAGER WORKSHOP

Cost:  $180 (room and board not included)

Includes: 20 Hours

v      Development of Policies and Procedures

v      Staff Hiring and Assessment

v      In-House Training

v      Internal Inspections and Maintenance of Challenge Courses

v      Anticipated Annual Costs related to Challenge Courses

v      Risk Management

v      Industry Standards

 

CHALLENGE COURSE MANAGER CERTIFICATION TEST DAY

Cost:  $150 (room and board not included)

To be accepted to take the Certification Test, applicants must:

v      Be at lest 21 years old

v      Hold a current Level 2 Certification or be registered for the March dates offered

v      Submit an Application that documents a minimum of:

            ~ 500 Facilitation and Management hour and

            ~ 30 Management Training Hours (16 specific to challenge courses)

v      Have a Portfolio with documentation to support those hours

 

FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Contact Challenge Options @ 785-863-3058 / info@challengeoptions.com

 

If you don't have a Challenge Course, but are excited about incorporating experiential learning into your program, Challenge Options can assist staff members in developing these skills.  After attending a Challenge Options workshop, you will be able to provide your clients with safe challenging activities that inspire them to discuss areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement.  We will teach you numerous activities that can be used to develop many important character traits.   You will learn how to facilitate processing discussions, and how to encourage individuals to identify analogies between lessons learned and common life experiences.

Training Cost = $700/day plus travel time and expense.  Please contact us for more information.


Possible Training Topics

BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Proficiency Training BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Universal Course Adaptations
BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Internal Inspection / Maintenance   BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Population Specific Programming
BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Soft Skills / Processing        BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Beyond the Challenge Course
BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Learn to Play, Play to Learn   BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    New Ways to Use ‘Old’ Elements
BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Advanced Rescue Techniques   BD14582_.GIF (185 bytes)    Program Management / Review

If you have questions or would like Challenge Options to put together an information packet for you or your organization, please take a few minutes to e-mail Challenge Options with your questions. If you prefer to talk to someone in person, please call our office with your request: 785-863-3058

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