COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Rock Climbing Instructor

The purpose of this course is to prepare individuals to instruct top rope (single pitch) climbing and rappelling on artificial and natural rock faces in a ministry context. Emphasis is on preparing instructors to effectively manage a group of novice climbers at a single pitch climbing site.

Technical, educational, and group management skills will be taught as well as methods in climbing instruction, belaying techniques, descending techniques, knots, equipment, natural and artificial anchors, basic rescues, and overall site safety. Ministry applications will be woven throughout. This course is designed for adventure program staff in Camps and Conference Centers, Schools and Colleges, Therapeutic Homes, and other church/Christian organizations.

Facilitation and Adventure Recreation Instructor

Adventure recreation is a course that is designed to prepare someone to effectively lead participants through a progression of experiences from gaming to low ropes course. Adventure Recreation, the use of games and initiatives, stands alone as a powerful form of adventure but can also be used to enhance every form of adventure programming. This course deals specifically with how to make all of these experiences purposeful and transferable.

Designed to build group unity, trust and communication, you'll start with activities created to "break the ice" and progress all the way to low and high challenge course elements. Applying Christian truths in and through the activities is a fundamental goal of the course. Likewise, a similar goal of the course is to improve one's ability to facilitate, since facilitation is key to effective and meaningful adventure programming. Participants will also look at appropriate sequencing, briefing and debriefing, and participant readiness.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore, practice and learn techniques all related to facilitation. These types of adventure recreation experiences are fundamental to all other outdoor adventure experiences and can be incorporated into many types of adventure programs, from hiking to climbing.

Backpacking/Expedition Planning Instructor

This course is designed to teach fundamental technical skills in a ministry context that are essential to the successful planning and running of multi-day outdoor adventure experiences.

Students will engage in intensive field-based outdoor skills modules such as trip planning, cooking and ration planning, route-finding and navigation- including map and compass use, Leave No Trace, safety, campsite selection, risk management and expedition behavior/group dynamics.

American Canoe Association Certification Course

Details coming soon.