Vertical Playpen

Sherry 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

Chris, 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.

Hutch 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".

Katherine Conway (AMIGOS) discusses the importance of experiencing different cultures, conflict resolution strategies and gap year programming. Find more about AMIGOS here: amigosinternational.org

In 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.

In 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!

Ross (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/

In 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.

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.