Call for Presenters Registration Keynote Workshops Pre-Conference Workshops Post-Conference Workshops Location Meal Plans Travel Lodging Contact Symposium Home

About Symposium 2008

The Adventure Group Symposium is an excellent opportunity to develop strong connections with peers through a series of educational activities and workshops. Whether you are new to the challenge course field or a seasoned veteran, the pre-conference and conference workshops are sure to energize and rejuvenate, allowing everyone to return to their own programs with enthusiasm and additional programming tools.

Dates

Thursday, October 9 - Sunday, October 12, 2008

Location

Autumn is a spectacular time to visit the North Carolina mountains. The YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina (near Asheville), in the sublime Blue Ridge Mountains, will host our Symposium. This conference center is situated on 1,200 acres of woodland beautified by mountain streams, wildflowers, ridges, valleys, and spectacular views. Trail systems wind through the mountainside, unleashing new surprises.

Registration

Register for the conference, for accommodations, and for meals directly with Blue Ridge Assembly. Go to www.blueridgeevents.org/events; or www.blueridgeassembly.org and click on Events. Reservations are taken by mail, fax, or online. Please no phone reservations.

Online registration is currently not working. Call or e-mail Debi Smith, Director of Guest Services at Blue Ridge Assembly, directly to register. Or use the printable form that can be faxed.

• Phone: 828-210-8480
• E-mail: dsmith@ymcabra.org
• Direct link to Blue Ridge Assembly Registration page: http://www.blueridgeevents.org/

Pre-conference Workshops - October 9

* General information about Certification Testing *

Day of Universal Training at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, North Carolina
Price: $ 95   (9 am - 4 pm)Lunch included

Day of Level I Practitioner Certification
Price: $ 135   (9 am - 4 pm)Lunch included

Day of Level II Practitioner Certification
Price: $ 160   (9 am - 4 pm)Lunch included

Post-Conference Workshop -
October 12 (afternoon) - October 13 (morning)

Challenge Course Manager Certification
October 12 (1:00-4:00), October 13 (9:00-12:00)
Price: $ 285   Meals not included

Conference Schedule

Click here for detailed schedule

Registration Prices

Postmarked:	Adult	Student
Prior to July 31:	$ 285	$ 185
August 1 - September 30:	$ 325	$ 200
After September 30:	$ 350	$ 200
Walk in/Commuter:	$ 175/day	$ 140/day

Accommodations

	Single Occupancy	Double Occupancy
Symposium (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)	$ 250	$ 130
Pre-conference (Wednesday)	$ 85	$ 45
Post-conference (Sunday)	$ 85	$ 45

Meals

Meals are served in the Blue Ridge Assembly Dining Hall.

Vegetarian options are available at each meal.

• 9-Meal Plan
  (Thursday Dinner through Sunday Lunch)$ 112.00
• Commuter Meal Plan
  (Thursday dinner, Friday lunch/dinner, Saturday lunch/dinner, Sunday lunch)$ 90.00
• Pre-conference Level I & Level II Certification-lunch is included in the price $0
• Pre-conference Universal Training-lunch is included $0
• Post-conference-meals are not included and are not available on campus $0

Call for Presenters - Workshop Proposals

We are seeking presentations by participants. You have many experiences and knowledge. Consider the areas of design, facilitation, staff training, and challenge course management. Symposium workshops can be classroom-based or can take place on the Alpine Tower, Carolina Straight Wall, Indoor Climbing Wall, Diamond Course, Team Development Course, Odyssey Course, Indoor Ropes Course, or outdoors in an open area.

• What workshop would you like to present at the Symposium?
• What feature of your program would other programmers find interesting?
• What talent or area of expertise can you share with the rest of us?

Submit your Call for Presenters Proposal by clicking here

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation through September 9 - Full Refund
• Cancellation through September 23 - Refund 75%
• Cancellation through October 5 - Refund 25%
• Cancellation after October 5 - No Refund

Travel by Car

Directions:

Two miles off Interstate 40, fifteen miles east of Asheville. Traveling on I-40 take Exit 64, "Black Mountain/Montreat" and turn south on Highway 9. Proceed less than one-half mile and go straight on Blue Ridge Road. Travel .9 mile and turn left at small Blue Ridge Assembly sign, then proceed to entrance.

Adventure Hardware equipment and bookstore will be open at various times during the symposium.

Keynote Address and Activity

The Paradox of Risk and the Complexity of Choice

Presented by Tom Leahy, Leahy & Associates, Inc.

Featured Presenters

Coaching Thru Fear

Presenter: Tom Leahy, Leahy & Associates, Inc.

Faster Than Light: Building Problem Solving and Team Skills Quickly!

Presenter: Tom Leahy, Leahy & Associates, Inc.

The Question^©, a Tool for Observation and Assessment

Presenter: Tom Leahy, Leahy & Associates, Inc.

Improv as a Facilitation Tool: Improve Your Skills and Enhance Your Programs

Presenter: Linda Williams, Training Wheels

Low Props/No Props: Activities on the Go

Presenter: Linda Williams, Training Wheels

Tips & Tools for the Art of Experiential Education and Group Facilitation

Presenter: Jen Stanchfield, High 5 Adventure Learning Center

Workshops presented by individuals who work for The Adventure Group, Alpine Towers, and/or Cornerstone Designs

What Does It Mean to Become a Regional Training Site for The Adventure Group?

Presenter: Jon Godsey, The Adventure Group

Functional and Decorative Splicing

Presenters: Jim Gravely, Cornerstone Designs and J.G. Construction; and Mark Bartleson, Cornerstone Designs

Inviting Optimum Participation

Presenters: Robbie Oates, Alpine Towers & Jesse Oates

Local Operating Procedures (LOPs): Are You Ready? Do You Have What You Need?

Presenter: Jon Godsey, The Adventure Group; Kyle Hansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Outdoor Adventures

Annual Safety Inspections-How to Prepare and What to Expect

Presenter: Jason Rich, Cornerstone Designs

Workshops offered by individuals who are part of The Adventure Group family

Beyond Safe and Fun

Presenter: Kyle Hansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Outdoor Adventures

The Odyssey Course: Sharing Lessons Learned

Presenter: Sandy Kohn, Venture Program at University of North Carolina Charlotte

Yoga as Reflective Tool

Presenter: Candy Evans, Challenge Discovery Outdoor Adventures

Workshops to be held on the challenge courses:

Alpine Tower II with Swing, Diamond Course, Team Development Course, Carolina Straight Wall, Indoor Ropes Course, Indoor Climbing Wall, Odyssey II

Experience the Alpine Tower and Refresher Training

Experience the Indoor Challenge Course

The Team Development Course--A Unique Low Ropes Course: Introductory Session

The Team Development Course--A Unique Low Ropes Course: Experienced Session

Rescue on the Alpine Tower

Look for these additional workshops on the Odyssey, Wall (both indoor and out), the Diamond course, and Universal programming on the Alpine Tower and Swing
 

Experience the Odyssey II Course: Introduction

Experience the Odyssey II Course: Experienced--Platform lowers, lightning evacuations

Experience the Odyssey II Course: Rescues

Experience the Carolina Straight Wall

Belay Escapes & Speed Climbing on the Carolina Straight Wall

Experience the Diamond Course: Introductory

Rescue on the High Ropes/Diamond Course

Experience the Indoor Climbing Wall

Universal Program Use and Rescues on the Swing by Choice

Universal Programming on the Alpine Tower

 

Contact Information

Registration Blue Ridge Assembly 84 Blue Ridge Circle Black Mountain, NC   28711 Phone:   828-669-8422 Fax:   828-669-8497 www.blueridgeassembly.org

Information The Adventure Group PO Box 69 Pineola, NC 28662 Phone: 800-706-0064 / 828-733-0953 Fax: 828-733-3505 www.theadventuregroup.com

Challenge Courses

Opportunities for experience on each of Blue Ridge Assembly's challenge courses will be available at some point during the workshop sessions.
They are:

• Alpine Tower II Universal Challenge Course
• Diamond Course
• Carolina Straight Wall
• Team Development Course
• Indoor Climbing Wall
• Indoor Ropes Course
• Odyssey II Course