Vertical Playpen

Join Phil and Lisa as they embark on an insightful exploration of the question, "What makes a group great?" We've all been there, finishing a program, and when asked, "How was the group?" we casually respond with "They were great." But what exactly defines greatness in a group? Is it the absence of issues, genuine camaraderie, collective learning, or something more? Here are some factors a facilit...

Join Phil and Lisa in this special episode as they address two intriguing questions from you, the podcast listeners. In the first segment, they delve into the ways music can be used when facilitating group activities. They share ways that it has been successful and ways that should be avoided. In the second part of the episode, the question focuses on unique locations that they have facilitated in...

In this episode, join Phil and Rich as they dive into a fascinating discussion on the causes and effective strategies to reduce that moment when participants freeze in the air on a ropes course.  Drawing from their extensive experience in outdoor adventure and team-building activities, they explore the psychology behind this common challenge and offer practical tips to help facilitators navigate t...

In this thought-provoking episode Phil and Lisa delve deep into the world of adventure education and one specific component: the concept of the unknown. Traditionally, adventure education often emphasizes keeping participants in the dark, shrouding activities in secrecy to create an element of surprise and uncertainty. However, we challenge this approach, arguing that it can have unintended conseq...

Join Phil and Lisa in this insightful episode as we dive deep into the fascinating world of intrinsic motivation. We explore how motivation that arises naturally, rather than from external rewards, can be enhanced through various activities. We'll uncover the four key elements that play a pivotal role in boosting intrinsic motivation: Challenge: Discover the importance of setting tasks that are ju...

In this episode, Phil shares with Rich that he has applied for US Citizenship and that he is studying for his exam, which results in Phil testing Rich. Following this, Rich introduces the main topic of this episode, the importance of learning the names of your participants. Thoughts are shared on the following; The effectiveness (and ineffectiveness) of name games The best ways they have found for...

Welcome back to the second installment of our captivating interview with experiential education luminary, Vishwas Parchure. In this engaging episode, we continue our exploration of the art of facilitation as Vishwas delves deep into a range of thought-provoking topics, sharing his profound insights and practical wisdom. Vishwas shines a spotlight on a common practice in facilitation - "hot-seating...

Join us in the first installment of a captivating two-part interview with the visionary experiential educator, Vishwas Parchure. In this episode, we delve into the very essence of Vishwas' profound work in experiential education and facilitation, gaining insights into his motivations, career-defining moments, and unique perspectives on the art of facilitation. Vishwas opens up about the driving fo...

Phil and Chris delve into the question: What reigns supreme, the classic ATC or the innovative GRIGRI? Join us as we embark on a comprehensive exploration, comparing and contrasting these two climbing essentials from multiple angles. We break down the pros and cons through the lens of program goals, training strategies, risk assessment, and financial considerations. Whether you're an adventure edu...

Join us in this podcast episode, "The Shared Experience," recorded live at the High 5 Adventure Symposium. Hosted by Phil and featuring a panel of enthusiastic attendees, this engaging session delves into the transformative power of adventure education. The episode kicks off with an exploration of the profound impact of adventure education on everyday life. Next up, the focus shifts to one of the...

In this episode, join host Phil as he sits down with his long-time friend in the industry, Cam Miller, the Challenge Course and Facilitation Director at Kieve Wavus Education.  Cam takes us back to the roots of his introduction to the world of adventure, recounting the pivotal moments that sparked his passion for pushing boundaries and exploring the great outdoors. Discover what has fueled Cam's c...

In this episode, Phil is joined by Niels Damman, the Course Services Manager at Experiential Resources (ERI), to delve into the world of challenge course training. Niels brings his experience and expertise to shed light on the pros and potential hurdles associated with trainer credentialing in this field. Challenge courses have gained immense popularity as powerful tools for team building, persona...

In this episode Phil and Lisa explore different strategies and techniques that can enhance and deepen our connections with others. Drawing from their personal experiences, Phil and Lisa shed light on various connection accelerators that have the potential to transform our relationships. They discuss topics such as collective novelty, emotional significance, joy, and the accomplishment of challengi...

We are joined on the podcast again by Loui McCurley, of PMI ropes and SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians). In this interview, Loui shares her invaluable insights on the critical topic of rescue plans, emphasizing their importance in ensuring the safety of individuals participating in ropes courses and similar activities. We delve into the essential components of a rescue plan....

In this episode Phil had the privilege of sitting down with Loui McCurley, an expert in fall protection and rope access, CEO of PMI (Pigeon Mountain Industries) and original founder of SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians).  One of the key aspects of fall protection is understanding the distinction between fall positioning, fall arrest, and fall prevention. Loui guides us through...

In this episode Phil is joined by Matt Marcus, the Manager of Adventure Gear and Sales at Challenge Design Innovations. With a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the adventure industry, Matt takes us on a journey through his career, volunteer work, and his thoughts on the future of adventure education. One of the highlights of Matt's journey has been his involvement with the Association for C...

Join us on this insightful episode as we sit down with Spud Marshall, a creative community builder and facilitator, to explore the nuances of facilitating and harnessing the power of collective wisdom. In our conversation, we delve into Spud's personal journey and ask the thought-provoking question: "When have you felt most alone?" Discover how Spud's insights on navigating these feelings of solit...

In this thought-provoking episode, Phil and Lisa unravel the essence of achievement, a realm where goals are often set externally, driven by the expectations and judgments of others versus the realm of accomplishment, where individuals set their own goals based on personal growth and learning. By empowering ourselves to define success and progress on our own terms, we explore how accomplishment pr...

In this episode Phil answers the following questions submitted by you, the listeners; - Is there room for introverts in facilitation? - How do you stay genuine in a "performancy" profession? - What is your favorite icebreaker question? - Best closing to a single day program? - Most under-appreciated facilitator skill? - What's something you are bad at and are working on improving? - What's your pr...

Have you ever jumped into a role with limited experience and had to learn fast? In this episode, Mike Nelson, formally of Camp Wicosuta, joins Phil and Lisa to discuss; Why summer camp? How he embraced learning and demonstrated humility in the new role What he wished he had known and questions to ask when running an adventure program Advice for new adventure program leads. Connect with Mike - 23ne...

Reflecting is often the part of the facilitation process that can seem the most daunting and challenging. How do you draw the learning from the experiences you create? In this episode, Phil details the activities and lessons he taught during a recent workshop he led titled "Reflecting Skills and Methods". The golden minute of reflection Connection as reflection How framing activities can make for...

Professional Hockey teams and High 5 have an interesting connection dating back to the 2010-2011 season when we first worked with the Boston Bruins. That season, they went on to win the Stanley Cup! Since then we have had the privilege to work with the following hockey teams; Mannheim Eagles (a team based in Germany) New Jersey Devils Calgary Flames One constant with these experiences has been Geo...

Kyra Richardson (High 5 Trainer) and Ryan McCormick (Edge of Leadership) sit down together to discuss; Creating structure out of unstructured time Crafting opportunities to develop conversation skills Methods that can help conversations start Reflection that doesn't feel forced Learn more about High 5's Edge of Leadership program - https://high5adventure.org/edge-of-leadership/what-is-eol/ Connect...

Life is Good. These were the words that hung behind Trevor (Executive Director of Camp Nuhop) as he joined Phil to discuss; The experience of growing up at camp The benefits of the "swoop" Creating community with your staff Why "Life is Good" Learn more about Camp Nuhop - https://nuhop.org/ Connect with Trevor - trevor@nuhop.org Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com    

How does the way we introduce ourselves to our participants impact them? Lisa asks Phil; "Inspired by a recent episode on Ego, how does how we introduce ourselves to our groups help with the self efficacy model of role models?" This leads to thoughts on; Unachievable targets Authenticity and vulnerability Being relatable Sharing the why and not the what Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com...