Challenge Course Training & Challenge Course Certification

Challenge Course Training

Adventure Experiences, Inc. (AEI) began in 1975 as a Challenge Course construction and training company. The training department offered the first "certification" program. The overall purpose of certification is to provide Facilitator Level training in accordance to the current ACCT standards. Challenge Course Certification is an intense experience that teaches the most up-to-date procedures and standards. There are three levels of certification offered by AEI: Level 1, Level 2 and a Challenge Course Manager Certification. Each level can be further categorized into four tracks: Low Elements Only, High Elements Only, Full (both Low and High), and Site/System Specific. To keep your certification valid we also offer an annual recertification to bring you up to date on industry standards and changes, while re-testing your hard and soft skills.

AEI believes strongly that the technical aspects of the challenge course, or "hard skills", are critical for those operating challenge courses. As you develop a particular technical skill, you will also learn to develop "soft skills" that encourage participants to learn from their experiences. These effective facilitation techniques will be addressed in all levels of training and work together to provide quality programs to your clients.

Attending an AEI Challenge Course Training program will not only teach you skills to safely and effectively facilitate your program, but will also enable you to gain an understanding of risk management specific for your Challenge Course Program.

If you would like to focus on particular techniques and tools for the challenge course, we offer a variety of workshops to enhance specific skills.

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Challenge Course Certification

Learn the fundamental skills you need to facilitate on the challenge course. These certification courses are taught with a maximum 1 to 12 trainer to participant ratio. There must be a minimum of 10 participants to ensure a quality training. The certification will culminate with a written and practical test covering all information taught. For your convenience, we can offer certification at your facility, with your staff members, or you may attend an open certification at host facilities where outside individuals can enroll. For more information on open certifications check our training schedule.

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Challenge Course Certification - Level 1

A Level 1 Certification is designed for people who are new to the industry and are seeking the training needed to facilitate a Challenge Course Program. This certification also enables the client to grow as they gain more experience. This certification will last for 1 year.

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Challenge Course Certification - Level 2

A Level 2 Certification is for anyone seeking an advanced level of certification. This level reflects the clients experience and training which will provide leadership to other staff; it is not designed to prepare the client to train other staff. This certification will last for 3 years.

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Challenge Course Certification - CCM

This certification is designed to give a currently certified facilitator management training in order to supervise others, write Local Operating Procedures, perform internal inspections and maintenance, mentor staff, and develop plans for in-house trainings. Every challenge course must have a Challenge Course Manager BUT please understand that it is not necessary that a company has a "Certified" Challenge Course Manager. This certification lasts for 5 years.

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Challenge Course Recertification

Challenge Course Recertification - Level 1 (Annually)

AEI offers recertification for a Level 1 Certificate in all tracks. It is a one day update and review of industry standards as well as retesting for written and practical skills.

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Challenge Course Recertification - Level 2 (Every 3 years)

A Level 2 Certification is for anyone seeking an advanced level of certification. This level reflects the clients experience and training which will provide leadership to other staff. The certification will last for 3 years.

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Challenge Course Recertification - CCM (Every 5 years)

AEI offers recertification for a Challenge Course Manager Certificate in all Tracks. It is a one day update and review of industry standards as well as retesting for written and practical skills. Participants who are not able to log 300 hours must retake the initial Challenge Course Manager Certification Training.

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Challenge Course "Challenge-In"

Challenge Course "Challenge-In" - Level 1

AEI offers a "Challenge-In" Certification for those who already have taken a 40 hour Certification and may not benefit from taking a Level 1 Certification. The individual will arrive with an experience portfolio which will be used to complete and verify all information required on a certification information form. This form will document training and experience described in the prerequisites. The individual must then pass a written and skills test. This certification lasts for 1 year.

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Challenge Course "Challenge-In" - Level 2

AEI offers a "Challenge-In" Certification for those who have had a significant amount of experience in the Challenge Course field and may not benefit from taking a Level 2 Certification. The individual will arrive with an experience portfolio which will be used to complete and verify all information required on a certification information form. This form will document training and experience described in the prerequisites. The individual must then pass a written and skills test. This certification lasts for 3 years.

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Challenge Course Workshops

Soft Skills Workshop (10-30 hours)

This challenge course soft skills workshop was designed by AEI for Experiental Educators, and those who wish to explore strategies in more efficiently "processing" the experience. Processing helps the participants to reflect on their experience, and through transference, apply what they have learned to their personal life. The goals of this challenge course soft skills workshop are twofold, understanding the theory of Experiental Education, and learning the basic skills of processing experiental activities with clients. These skills are often referred to as "Soft" skills. Participants will be involved in a variety of group discussions and practical activities.

The Soft Skills Workshop can be one or two days., depending on your needs and prior experience. Certification is recommended prior to developing soft skills. The Soft Skills Workshop may be combined with our 40 hour Technical Certification to create a more comprehensive training.

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Christian Soft Skills Workshop

This christian soft skills workshop was designed by AEI for christians who wish to explore strategies in more efficiently "processing" the challenge course experience to assist participants and their clients in expanding the Kingdom of God. In addition to growing in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the goals of this christian soft skills workshop are twofold, understanding the theory of Experiential Education to assist the facilitator in applying challenge course experiences to the various needs of your clients, and learning the basic skills of processing experiential activities with clients. These skills are often referred to as "Soft" skills.

With a special focus on Ropes Course and Challenge Course usage, participants will discuss specific approaches and assumptions to be considered when designing a program that strengthens the bond between people and their Creator, Savior, and Lord.

Participants will be involved in a variety of group discussions and practical activities which will develop processing techniques. These processing techniques help participants reflect on their experience through biblical application and transference to their spiritual life. Participants will be asked to share their personal experiences to further the application of the challenge course process.

The Christian Soft Skills Workshop is a 20 hour training. The Soft Skills Workshop may be combined with our 40 hour Technical Certification to create a more comprehensive training.

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Games Workshop (8-16 hours)

Games are a great tool to kick off the challenge course experience and are intended to break the ice between your participants. This games workshop will provide your facilitators with dozens of new tools for working with groups of people while focusing on play, team building, and providing a foundation that can be built upon.

AEI offers both 1 and 2 day games workshops. One trainer can handle a group of up to 15 participants. A minimum of 8 to 10 participants are recommended to have a quality workshop. No prior certification is necessary to participate in a Games Workshop.

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Belay Workshop (8 hours)

This belay workshop is designed for participants that have not been certified but have certified facilitators available to supervise their belay skills. Workshop participants will only be taught proper belay techniques.

Belay Workshops can accommodate up to 12 participants with one trainer, and there is not a minimum requirement. No prior certification is necessary to participate in this workshop.

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Rescue Workshop (1 or 2 Days)

This is a one or two day rescue workshop designed to enhance your organization's Risk Management and emergency preparedness. This rescue workshop will cover rescue techniques for a variety of situations, including: single facilitator rescue, multiple belay escapes, traditional cut away, 4:1 pulley system, and out of the ordinary emergencies such as a Zip Line rescue. Technical skills certification is a prerequisite for this workshop.

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Accessible Workshop (1 or 2 Days)

This accessible workshop is tailored specifically to your organization, facility, and special needs population. It will include technical skills required to work with special needs and the incorporation of alternative methods for games and initiatives, as well as low and high elements. AEI believes in utilizing your existing elements for special populations simply by adapting the use of available equipment. Technical skills certification is a prerequisite for this accessible workshop.

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Climbing/Rappelling Tower Workshop

This climbing/rappelling tower workshop focuses on one specific challenge course element - the climbing tower. Whether you just have a climbing tower, or your tower has other elements attached to it, this training can be custom tailored to your needs. From setup to takedown, and everything in between, this workshop is a great way to prepare you, and your staff, for action.

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Natural Rock Top-Rope Site Management

For those of you who lead rock climbing programs on natural rock sites, or would like to begin doing so, this workshop is for you. Some of the topics discussed in this workshop are as follows:

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