High 5 Adventure - The Podcast

Scott, 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! 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 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

The 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 (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

Chad 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 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 - rich@seafoxconsulting.com

Jim, 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 (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.

We 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 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 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.

New Name - Same Podcast. This is a short explanation on our name change. Welcome to Vertical Playpen. New episodes every 2 weeks.

Greg 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.

The 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.

The 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 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. 

In 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.

Does 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.

Meg talks with Phil about social justice facilitation, navigating your triggers and her upcoming new product - Facilitator Cards. Find out more about Meg and Facilitator Cards here: https://www.megbolger.com/