STAFF DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION
Challenge Course Training
Training that covers the technical skills needed to operate a high ropes course, climbing tower, or group initiatives and low ropes course can be obtained from a variety of professional challenge course vendors. Depending on the size and type of challenge course installed, initial training will range from one to five days. The cost of training will generally run between $1,000 and $5,000 for up to 12 participants before travel expenses are included. Additional training that covers the educational underpinnings, methodology, and art of facilitation are also available and may be included with the original training. In addition to facilitator training, new programs may consider additional training for their course manager and supervisors. As an example, the average employee at S.T.E.P.S., Inc., a leader in challenge course training and program management, receives more than 100 hours of coaching and training before they lead a series of group initiatives on their own with a client. Obtaining mentoring status or to act as a trainer to other staff, S.T.E.P.S. staff must have completed more than 400 programs (or proved relevant experience) and must pass rigorous technical and educational skills tests, peer reviews, and receive excellent marks on client evaluations.
Additional workshops and training are offered throughout the year by many professional challenge course vendors. Whereas larger programs may choose to develop their own internal training programs, smaller programs should budget funds for training on an annual or bi-annual basis. A system of follow-up training and supervision should be sought to ensure that skills are maintained and safety and program standards are not compromised. It is recommended that large programs that elect to training internally partner with a professional builder or make use of professional trade organizations like the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) to establish a peer review process to ensure staff and program operations are in alignment with industry standards.
It should never be expected that even five days of rigorous training will sufficiently prepare a facilitator to safely or effectively manage a challenge course program. Ongoing assessment and development programs should be structured ahead of time to ensure that standards are met by all staff.
Challenge Course Certification
For those seeking certification paperwork for work, accreditation, or insurance purposes, the Association for Challenge Course Technology has created a set of certification standards for Challenge Course Professionals. Introduced in 2007, the new standards set a benchmark for certification with four levels, including Level 1 Facilitator, Level 2 Facilitator, Course Manager, and Professional Trainer. The professional trainer level is less of a certification and falls under the guidelines of the Association for Challenge Course Technology Professional Vendor Member, a peer review process for professional vendors in the challenge course industry.
Certification is offered by a number of professional vendors. Included are answers to commonly asked questions about the ACCT Challenge Course Practitioner Certification Process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Certification
Q. What is certification and how does it differ from training?
A. Certification is the testing and verification of a specific skill set as it applies to a defined standards while training is the delivery of content through instruction, presentation, role play, media, and other content delivery sources. In most cases, certification is conducted following a site specific or system specific training. In addition to meeting defined prerequisites for hours logged on the course, age, work experience, First Aid/CPR Certification, facilitators must also pass a written and practical exam. A chart of the prerequisites for each Level of Certification is available from the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
Q. What role does the ACCT play in the certification process?
A. Prior to 2007, many professional challenge course companies offered certification, but for each company the standards were different. To assist both the certificate holder, employers seeking to hire individuals, and to professional vendors, the Association for Challenge Course Technology published an addendum to their standards in 2007 outlining standards for certification. At this time, the Association for Challenge Course Technology has set forth outlines for certification that can be used for the purpose of defining certification industry-wide. While the ACCT as a body does not certify facilitators, they do offer a formal Peer Review process for Professional Builders that certifies that companies have the policies, procedures, and personnel in place to train to and test to the standards set for certification. At this time, several Professional Vendor Members (PVMs) have been peer reviewed and are able to act as a certifying body.
Q. Do I need certification?
A. The ACCT is a professional trade organization and not a regulatory body. At present, regulation of challenge courses is limited. While some states and regulatory agencies are requiring that programs receive training and certification, certification is not mandatory to operate most challenge courses. In addition to state and local regulatory agencies and accreditation programs like the American Camping Association, program operators’ should also check with their insurance company to confirm whether certification is needed or not. In some cases, insurance companies provide discounts on policies for courses whose staff are certified.
Q. How long does the certification last?
A. Certification expiration and renewal periods range from 1 year to 5 years depending on the level of certification obtained. The higher the level of certification, the longer the period.
Q. I have been working in the industry for years. Is there a way I can test in?
A. Yes, we offer programs that allow candidates to test in at a variety of levels. If you wish to test in, we highly recommend that you purchase a copy of the ACCT Practitioner Standards and compile a Facilitator Portfolio, logging your work experience, previous training, professional development experience, and skill set. The ACCT has a template that can be very useful in logging your experience. Download a Challenge Course Portfolio Template from the ACCT.
Q. How long is the certification process?
A. To receive certification, candidates must meet the prerequisites and pass a written and practical exam. Depending on the number of technical systems and type of certification required, the certification process can take several hours to days to complete. In many cases, we must observe you running a live group in addition to completing a series of technical skills. For more information, please contact us at our offices.
Challenge Course Practitioner Certification Tracks
LEVEL 1 |
LEVEL 2 |
CHALLENGE COURSE MANAGER |
|
Overview |
Intended for the entry level challenge course professional with little or no previous experience in the field |
Intended for facilitators who have been in the challenge course for some time and meet the core technical, educational, and personal competencies for high and low ropes course elements. |
Intended for practitioners who have been in the field for some time, demonstrate the core technical, educational, and personal competencies for high and low ropes course elements and have demonstrated the ability to lead, supervise, and manage a challenge course program. |
Minimum Age |
18 years |
18 years |
21 years |
Minimum Number of Hours of Professional Training* |
Full Certification – High and Low: 40 hours |
Full Certification – High and Low: 80 hours |
30 hours of management training of which 16 must be specific to challenge course management, plus: |
Minimum Number of Documented Hours of Program Delivery |
None |
200 hours |
500 hours |
Duration of Certificate |
1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
Requirements for Re-Certification |
50 hours of documented programming experience, plus passing score of 80% or greater on a written and practical test. |
150 hours of documented programming experience, 24 hours of documented training, and passing score of 80% or greater on a written and practical test. |
300 hours of documented programming experience, 30 hours of documented training, and passing score of 80% or greater on a written and practical exam. |
* Number of hours listed are minimum hours. The actual number of hours required may be longer depending on the variety and complexity of systems, number of elements covered, and number of participants in the training. Previous documented training hours may be applied to the required minimum hours depending on the type of training, how recently the training occurred, and vendor. A syllabus, certification of completion, and assessment are required.
For more information on our challenge course consulting and
development services, please call
(248) 481-2568 or
visit us on the web at our main site, http://www.adventuresmithinc.com.
