The High 5 Guide: Challenge Course Operating Procedures for the Thinking Practitioner

Author(s): High 5 Adventure

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2007

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$57.89

Achieve the balance between technical skills and thoughtful program development and facilitation to create the best and most powerful experience for your audience.

This new book by veteran High 5 staff members, Jim Grout & Nicki Hall, begins with the question, "Why does your program do what it does?" In classic High 5 style, it emphasizes the importance of understanding ones program, its mission and purpose, and its goals and desired outcomes. The High 5 Guide blends this information artfully with the technical skills required to successfully operate a challenge course.

This valuable resource also includes:

Thoughtful and Purposeful Program Development
Program Design Tips
Staff Development and Training
Risk Management and Liability
Operating Guidelines for Over 50 Low and High Challenge Course Elements
Tips to being a "Thinking Practitioner"
A Companion CD with sample SOPs

The High 5 Guide will certainly become a valuable addition to every adventure practitioner's library.

Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface
Introduction Intentional Programming
Thinking Practitioners
A Word on Using this Guide

SECTION I -MISSION & PHILOSOPHY Why Does Your Program Do What It Does?
Determining Your Mission

SECTION 2-MANAGING AN ADVENTURE PROGRAM Start with Program Design
Staff Development & Training
            Hiring staff
            Qualifications
            On-going Training
            In-house versus Professional Training
Practitioner Certification
            High 5 Practitioner Certification Program
            Program Letter with Recommendations
Safety, Risk Management & Liability
            Challenge Course Inspection & Equipment Tips
            Equipment Storage and Recordkeeping
            Local Operating Procedures
            Emergency Action Plans

            Participant Readiness - Informed Consent
            Medical Screening and Participant Agreements
            Accident/Incident Tracking
            Insurance

SECTION 3 - PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Some Thought Provoking Questions to Consider When Starting an Adventure Education Program
Program Assessment and Design Overview
Pre-Program Assessment
Designing the Program
Ongoing Assessment
Post-program Evaluation

SECTION 4 - CHALLENGE COURSE ELEMENTS -LOW/HIGH/INDOOR

THE LOW CHALLENGE COURSE
Facilitator Prep
            Readiness of the Group
            Course Inspection
            Equipment for Elements
            Weather
            Medical Preparedness
Facilitator's Role
            Offer Choice
            Full Value Agreement
            An Invitation to Learn
            Proper Attire
            The Art of Effective Facilitation

Skills for the Low Challenge Course
            Teaching Spotting
            Spotting Skills
            Reflection Activities
            The Value of Reflection

OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR LOW ELEMENTS AND INITIATIVES
List of Low Elements
            A-Frame
            All Aboard
            Do / Go
            Fidget Ladder
            Hickory Jump
            Hour Glass
            Lord of the Rings
            Low Multi-line Traverse
            The Maze
            Mohawk Walk
            Nitro Crossing
            Porthole (Hole in One)
            Sea Gull Swing to the Swinging Log
            Spider's Web
            Swinging Log
            Swinging Tires
            Team Trolley Traverse
            TP Shuffle
            Triangle Tension Traverse
            Trolleys
            Trust Fall
            TheWall
            Whale Watch

Wild Woosey

THE HIGH CHALLENGE COURSE
Types of Challenge Courses
Setting Up the Challenge Course
            Equipment for Belay Set-up
            Cable Pulleys
            Rapid Links
            Shear Reduction Devices
            Set-up Methods for High Elements
            Haul Cords
            Use of Self-belay Systems
            Acceptable Self-belay Anchor Points
            Cable Grab Systems
            Access via a Dynamic Belay (Two People)
            Equipment for the High Challenge Course
            Ropes
            Harnesses
            Helmets
            Carabiners
            Belay Devices
            Rescue Bag

THEBELAY
            Types of Belay
            Dynamic
            Standing Hip/Body Belay
            Mechanical Belay Devices
            The Australian Belay
            A Team Approach
            Best Belay Practices

            Clipping into the Belay
            Knots
            Belay Guidelines
            Other Helpful Information about Belay Systems
            Belay Transfers
            Guidelines for Using Participant Belayers

OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR HIGH ELEMENTS
List of High Elements
            Burma Bridge
            Catwalk
            Centipede
            Climbing Tower
            Dangle Duo
            Flying Squirrel
            High Y
            Holy Cow Swing
            Inclined Log
            Jeebie Lunge
            Kissing Tree
            Multivine Traverse
            Pamper Pole
            Pamper Plank
            Pirates Crossing
            The Roll-out Rappel
            Space Loops
            Stemming Climb
            Two Line Bridge
            Two Ships Crossing
            Vertical Playpen
            Zip Wire

LOW AND HIGH IN DOOR ELEMENTS
List of Indoor Elements
Lows:
            Bangle Boards
            Full House
            Islands
            Low Swinging Beam
            Low Traverse Wall
Highs:
            Beanpolc
            Cargo Net Climb (Vertical Placement)
            Firecracker Ladder
            High Swinging Beam
            Inclined Monkey Bars
            Prusik Climb
            Vertical Climbing Wall

SECTION 5 APPENDIX A:
            Thinking Practitioner
            Responses
APPENDIX B:
            Glossary of Terms
APPENDIX C:
            Additional Forms
APPENDIX D:
            Skills Verification Checklist
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ABOUT THE AUTHORS

High 5 Adventure