Vertical Playpen
254 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 41 ratingsWant to learn more about Adventure and Experiential Education? Then this podcast is for you!
Listeners of this podcast will get;
- Adventure Programming Theory
- Facilitation Tips
- Activity Ideas
- Industry Career Advice
- Interviews from Industry Professionals
High 5 Adventure Learning Center is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping individuals, teams, schools, communities and businesses improve the way they live, learn and work together. Connect with us at high5adventure.org
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Episodes
Challenge Course Documentation
April 13, 2021 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBThe Training team (Chris, Lisa, Rich and Phil) talk about the different forms of documentation Challenge Course professionals should be aware of, including; - Local Operating Procedures (LOPs) - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - Inspection Reports - Challenge Course Portfolios This episode is supported by Sticker Mule - stickermule.com
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Outdoor Industry | Rachel Hailey
March 30, 2021 10:00 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBRachel Hailey of Rachel Hailey & Associates Consulting joins us on the podcast to talk about her early experiences with the outdoors, the work she does consulting on DEI topics and her hope for future generations. Find more about Rachel here: rhaileyconsulting.com
The Challenge Course Installation Process
March 16, 2021 10:00 - 25 minutes - 20.5 MBTodd Brown (Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) and Ian Doak (Assistant Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) discuss with Phil the process of a new installation of a challenge course; - What our program design process looks like - How to budget for a new program - How to find the perfect location - Training considerations when building a challenge course Learn more about our program design and installation services here: high5adventure.org/challenge-course-ser...
Creating Unpredictable Workshop Experiences that Predictably Work | Leanne Hughes
March 02, 2021 11:00 - 31 minutes - 25.3 MBPhil chats with fellow facilitator and podcaster Leanne Hughes about how she began in facilitation, her advice for emerging professionals and how we describe the work we do; Facilitator vs Trainer vs Educator. Find Leanne's podcast by searching First Time Facilitator and find more information about her work on her website: www.leannehughes.com
The Challenge Course Inspection Process
February 16, 2021 11:00 - 21 minutes - 16.8 MBTodd Brown (Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) and Ian Doak (Assistant Director of Challenge Course Services, High 5) discuss with Phil the process of an inspection of your challenge course; how to prepare for the inspection, what to expect on the day, and some best practices/pitfalls our inspectors have seen. Learn more about our inspection services here: high5adventure.org/challenge-course-services/inspection-and-repair-services
Benefits of Outdoor Leadership | Andrew Jillings
February 02, 2021 11:00 - 58 minutes - 46.9 MBPhil is joined by his hometown connection Andrew Jillings to talk about his journey in experiential education, the benefits of both experience and certifications, and his winter reading list. Find out more about Hamilton College's Outdoor Leadership Program here: hamilton.edu/offices/adventure
Reading Group Dynamics for Facilitators
January 19, 2021 11:00 - 35 minutes - 28.7 MBWhen making your activity agenda it can be helpful to intentionally pick activities that can help you read your group. In this episode we explore what some of these activities are and their benefits. In order to better explore this concept, Phil calls up 8 of his facilitator friends to ask them what activities they use and why. These facilitators are: - Chris Damboise (Director of Training and Team Development, High 5) - Ryan McCormick (Edge of Leadership Director, High 5) - Greg Urban...
Adventure Program Safety and Risk Management Considerations | Bob Ryan
January 05, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBBob Ryan (Director of Safety and Risk Management at Project Adventure) chats with Chris Damboise (Director of Training and Team Development at High 5) about his introduction to the adventure industry, his work with writing standards and his program recommendations based on his risk management experience.
Challenge Course Certification
December 22, 2020 11:00 - 29 minutes - 23.9 MBChris, Lisa and Phil talk about High 5's ACCT certification process including how to prepare, why you might want a certification, what the process looks like, and common pitfalls we see as examiners. Chris also introduces the concept of Education - Preparation - Illumination - Certification.
The Challenge Course Certification Process
December 22, 2020 11:00 - 29 minutes - 23.9 MBChris, Lisa and Phil talk about High 5's ACCT certification process including how to prepare, why you might want a certification, what the process looks like, and common pitfalls we see as examiners. Chris also introduces the concept of Education - Preparation - Illumination - Certification.
Art and Experiential Education | Adam Ames (Type A)
December 08, 2020 11:00 - 46 minutes - 37.6 MBIn this episode, Phil and Jim are joined by Adam Ames (Type A) to discuss his experience being trained by Jim, the impact it had on him and the visual art piece that resulted from their experiences. Check out Type A's Team building (Align) here - typea.us/align
Risk Homeostasis
November 24, 2020 11:00 - 33 minutes - 27.2 MBLisa and Phil discuss the concept of Risk Homeostasis Theory and how it presents itself in adventure programming and challenge course operations. Books referenced in this episode are: Target Risk by Gerald J. S. Wilde - download a free digital copy here: riskhomeostasis.org/links-to-target-risk The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
AEE (Association for Experiential Education) | Sherry Bagley
November 10, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutes - 28.5 MBSherry Bagley (AEE Executive Director) discusses her journey to leading AEE, all of the great ways to volunteer for the organization and the future of experiential education. The upcoming AEE International Virtual Conference info can be found here: aee.org/2020-international-virtual-conference
The Thinking Practitioner
October 27, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBChris, Lisa and Phil discuss a concept that is a large part of High 5 trainings and also features in some of our books; The Thinking Practitioner. It can be applied to both challenge course operation as well as adventure activities and leads to more confident and competent practitioners.
The Experiential Thinking Practitioner
October 27, 2020 10:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBChris, Lisa and Phil discuss a concept that is a large part of High 5 trainings and also features in some of our books; The Thinking Practitioner. It can be applied to both challenge course operation as well as adventure activities and leads to more confident and competent practitioners.
The History of Outdoor Education | Hutch Hutchinson
October 13, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 35.6 MBHutch Hutchinson (Senior Lecturer at Boston University Questrom School of Business) shares his road to working in Experiential Education, his love of the AEE community and the history of Outdoor Education based on his dissertation "Crafting an Outdoor Classroom: The Nineteenth Century Roots of the Outdoor Education Movement".
Cultural Immersion Experiences | Katherine Conway
September 29, 2020 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBKatherine Conway (AMIGOS) discusses the importance of experiencing different cultures, conflict resolution strategies and gap year programming. Find more about AMIGOS here: amigosinternational.org
Cultural Immersion Experiences w/ Katherine Conway
September 29, 2020 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBKatherine Conway (AMIGOS) discusses the importance of experiencing different cultures, conflict resolution strategies and gap year programming. Find more about AMIGOS here: amigosinternational.org
Neurochemicals at Play
September 15, 2020 10:00 - 13 minutes - 10.6 MBIn this episode Phil discusses the 4 primary neurochemicals that elicit happiness; Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin and Oxytocin, as well as activities that you can use with your participants to help participants experience them. Disclaimer: Phil is not a neuroscientist.
What Inspired You To Become An Educator?
September 09, 2020 10:00 - 10 minutes - 8.58 MBIn this special episode we reached out to educators and asked them "What Inspired You To Become An Educator?" This is an inspirational and moving compilation of some of their responses. Thank you to all educators!
Outdoor Education | Ross Cannon
September 01, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBRoss (Hulbert Outdoor Center) sat down with Phil to discuss the "magic" of working in outdoor education, making an impact on clients and relating to the mission of the organizations you work for. Learn more about Hulbert here: https://alohafoundation.org/hulbert/
Outdoor Education w/ Ross Cannon
September 01, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBRoss (Hulbert Outdoor Center) sat down with Phil to discuss the "magic" of working in outdoor education, making an impact on clients and relating to the mission of the organizations you work for. Learn more about Hulbert here: https://alohafoundation.org/hulbert/
Finding Pinecones
August 18, 2020 10:00 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBIn this episode Phil reads a blog he wrote back in 2018 titled "Finding Pinecones" which highlights the importance of being flexible with your agenda, reading your group's needs and enjoying the small moments.
Children's Mental Health | Scott Bryant-Comstock
August 04, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBScott, founder and CEO of the Children's Mental Health Network discusses the importance of advocacy and connection, gives some advice to educators regarding student mental health and shares what gives him hope for the future of child and family services. You can find more about CMHN and Scott here: cmhnetwork.org
Children's Mental Health w/ Scott Bryant-Comstock
August 04, 2020 10:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBScott, founder and CEO of the Children's Mental Health Network discusses the importance of advocacy and connection, gives some advice to educators regarding student mental health and shares what gives him hope for the future of child and family services. You can find more about CMHN and Scott here: cmhnetwork.org
Welcome to Vertical Playpen!
July 31, 2020 19:40 - 1 minute - 1.57 MBWelcome to Vertical Playpen! The podcast all about Adventure and Experiential Education! Join us as we interview experts in our field and give tips and advice utilizing our decades of experience. If you are an educator in any way, this is the podcast for you. Thanks for listening!
Michelle Cummings - Training Wheels
July 21, 2020 11:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBMichelle joins Phil (while at the ACCT conference) to discuss how she got her start in experiential education, the importance of making connections and her parenting advice on coping with a world full of screens. Find her website full of resources here: training-wheels.com
Gathering Again
July 07, 2020 11:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBThe Training team give takeaways from their first in-person trainings while using COVID-19 protocols and discuss what participants can expect from attending our new workshop "Gathering Again - Adventure Activities with Physical Distance".
Rohan Shahani - Challenge Works
June 23, 2020 11:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBRohan (Director of Training) joins Phil to discuss the importance of asking "why?", his role on the Board of ACCT and variations on traditional low elements. Check out Challenge Works - challengeworks.com
Creating Conversations that Matter | Chad Littlefield
June 09, 2020 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBChad joined Phil (via Zoom) to talk about being a collaborator instead of a consumer, ways to maximize your use of We! Connect Cards, and his tips for creating conversations that matter. Find out more about Chad and his work here: weand.me
Chad Littlefield - We and Me, Inc.
June 09, 2020 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBChad joined Phil (via Zoom) to talk about being a collaborator instead of a consumer, ways to maximize your use of We! Connect Cards, and his tips for creating conversations that matter. Find out more about Chad and his work here: weand.me
Creating Conversations that Matter w/ Chad Littlefield
June 09, 2020 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBChad joined Phil (via Zoom) to talk about being a collaborator instead of a consumer, ways to maximize your use of We! Connect Cards, and his tips for creating conversations that matter. Find out more about Chad and his work here: weand.me
Rich Klajnscek - Sea Fox Consulting
May 26, 2020 11:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBRich joins guest host and longtime friend Chris Damboise as they discuss meeting in the early 90's, the creation of ACCT and the standards and making a career out of working on Challenge Courses. Connect with Rich - [email protected]
Leadership and COVID-19
May 12, 2020 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBJim, Ryan, Anne Louise, Rich and Phil discuss what traits and behaviors great leaders possess, how they teach their students about leadership and how they, as facilitators, aim to get groups in the same physical space again once the COVID-19 challenge diminishes.
Tinker Talk - Leadership and COVID-19
May 12, 2020 11:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBJim, Ryan, Anne Louise, Rich and Phil discuss what traits and behaviors great leaders possess, how they teach their students about leadership and how they, as facilitators, aim to get groups in the same physical space again once the COVID-19 challenge diminishes.
Geoff Ward - Calgary Flames - Interim Head Coach
April 28, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBGeoff joins Phil and Jim in a discussion about his connection to High 5, how he defines his leadership style and why connection and empowerment have been an integral part of his team's seasons and successes.
Professional Sports Leadership | Geoff Ward
April 28, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBGeoff (Interim Head Coach, Calgary Flames) joins Phil and Jim in a discussion about his connection to High 5, how he defines his leadership style and why connection and empowerment have been an integral part of his team's seasons and successes.
Professional Sports Leadership w/ Geoff Ward
April 28, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBGeoff (Interim Head Coach, Calgary Flames) joins Phil and Jim in a discussion about his connection to High 5, how he defines his leadership style and why connection and empowerment have been an integral part of his team's seasons and successes.
Happy 50th Episode!
April 14, 2020 11:00 - 14 minutes - 11.5 MBWe made it to 50 episodes! Wahoo! In honor of this achievement we have a special episode recorded where Phil gets interviewed by Rich and you get to enjoy a compilation of recorded Dad Jokes. Thanks for all of your support. Enjoy!
Alex Moore and Kevin Trump - Synergo
March 31, 2020 11:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBAlex and Kevin, Director of Training and Training Manager at Synergo, join Phil, while at the ACCT conference, for a conversation all about their passion for teaching others and challenge course programming. Check out more about Synergo at teamsynergo.com.
Chris Ortiz - Shaver's Creek Environmental Center
March 17, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBChris sits down with Phil at the ACCT Conference to talk about his start in the industry, his advice for emerging professionals and the importance of making connections. Plus, a few dad jokes make their way into the conversation.
VERTICAL PLAYPEN - New Name, Same Podcast
March 03, 2020 12:00 - 5 minutes - 3.76 MBNew Name - Same Podcast. This is a short explanation on our name change. Welcome to Vertical Playpen. New episodes every 2 weeks.
Greg Urban - Project Adventure
February 25, 2020 12:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBGreg visits the High 5 offices to chat with Lisa about the connection between music and adventure, introducing people to boardgames and being willing to travel long distances to find work that you love.
Ending a Program/Workshop
February 11, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBThe Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they end a program or workshop with a group. Saying goodbye, closing activities and when to reflect with the group.
Tinker Talk - The Ending of a Program
February 11, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBThe Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they end a program or workshop with a group. Saying goodbye, closing activities and when to reflect with the group.
Tinker Talk - The Beginning of a Program
February 04, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBThe Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they begin a program or workshop with a group. Activities that set the tone, strategies to connect with the group early on and coping with awkward silences.
Beginning a Program/Workshop
February 04, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBThe Training Team (Phil, Rich, Chris and Lisa) discuss how they begin a program or workshop with a group. Activities that set the tone, strategies to connect with the group early on and coping with awkward silences.
Jeff Dutko and Arlette Cassidy - Gengras Center
January 28, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBJeff and Arlette from the Gengras Center in West Hartford, CT sat down with their good friend and our Trainer Rich Keegan to talk and reminisce about their incredible work at Gengras and their experience using a challenge course and experiential education.
Trainer Tips - P-cord
January 21, 2020 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBIn this episode of Trainer Tips, Phil and Rich spend 15 minutes discussing tips for managing the use of p-cords on challenge courses. Topics include, replacing the rope, stacking them out of the way and appropriate p-cord length.
Trainer Tips - 1st Impressions
January 14, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutes - 6.18 MBDoes neat gear storage and wearing the same style of harness as your participants positively affect the 1st impressions of your challenge course operations?...YUP! Phil discusses these 2 things.