Training Weeks with GO-NEXTeams

Over the past month, I have been running or helping with a bunch of trainings for a variety of team building and adventure instruction programs in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.  From giving tips on processing a team building experience to training new rock climbing instructors, I have been keeping myself busy training the trainers…

The best part about training facilitators and guides is that we are all passionate about teaching and facilitating.  This shared passion leads to interesting conversations, innovative solutions to logistical problems, and an overall ‘raising of the bar,’ when it comes to guiding and facilitating team building or adventure.

ROPES Course Facilitator Training – Calleva Outdoors

I was asked to come out and share my perspectives on processing the team building experience with a group of new and seasoned ropes course facilitators from Calleva Outdoors.  The discussion centered around tips and techniques for enhancing the activity debriefs, but included appropriate sequencing of a ropes course experience for small and large groups, tools and tips for transferring from activity to activity, and more.

ROPES Course Facilitator Training – Project Ascent

I was asked to come out and help with a ropes course facilitator training for a group of new and experienced facilitators from Project Ascent.  This five day training covered sequencing, processing, name games, ice breakers, deinhibitizers, low elements, high elements, and more.  I specifically led the trust activities instructional, helped with general facilitator notes and gave my perspective on ropes course facilitation – both the technical skills and the soft skills.

Rock Climbing Anchors and Self-Rescue Clinic – Butler Camp

Today I finished a two-day clinic designed to introduce new and experienced rock climbing instructors to the fundamentals of building anchors and instructing a general top-roping course for youth.  We crammed a ton of information and practical applications into a very short period of time, and I feel pretty good about the technical abilities of their lead instructors.  Now they just need to get out and do it – again and again…  I’ll be testing them in the field during their first days of camp.

Coming in June – More Trainings…

Mountain Biking, Wilderness Skills, Geo-caching and ROPES Course Faciltitator Certifications

Busy, busy, busy.