Program structure

Activities

While our workshops follow a sequence that moves from simple to more complex and provocative, each workshop is unique, designed for the group's goals and individual participants. Components of a workshop may include:

Warm-ups - These activities are games designed to get participants moving around and provide a fun way to "break the ice" at the start of the day.

Initiatives - Initiatives are portable "puzzles" that the group must work together to solve. These are often framed with an imaginative story and involve an element of problem-solving. Initiatives set the stage for the low elements.

Low Elements - Low elements provide a higher level of challenge and require teamwork. Most of these elements are wooden structures that sit a few feet above the ground (such as a low balance beam). They may require some lifting and closer physical proximity than initiatives.

High Elements - High elements are obstacles that are built above the ground, from 20 - 50 feet high. Participants wear harnesses, helmets, and are tied in with a rope as they climb a "giant's ladder," slide down a cable, or cross a log balance beam. These elements provide substantial personal challenges, both physical and mental, and require support from fellow group members.