The intent of the Practitioner Standards is to identify and set a common grouping of minimum skills required for challenge course facilitators to work safely in the ropes course industry. The intent of the standards is to increase the level of professionalism within the industry and promote best practices through verification of an individual’s level of ability.
Levels of Challenge Course Practitioner Certification
Experiential Systems offers three levels of challenge course practitioner certification. These levels are based on the levels outlined within the ACCT published Practitioner Certification Standards.
ESI offers open enrollment trainings and certification testing for the following designations:
Level I Certification
Level 1 certification is intended for entry level challenge course practitioners who would have no previous challenge course experience.
The Level 1 facilitator will have a thorough understanding of initiatives and low ropes course elements and/or traditional high ropes course elements and belay systems.
Topics Covered:
- Group Assessment
- Program Design
- Goal Setting
- Ethical Issues
- Structuring Initiatives
- Sequencing
- Processing
- Risk Management
- Spotting Techniques
- Knot Tying
- Belaying with a variety of devices
- Transferring
- Emergency Rescues
- Equipment Use
- Element and Equipment Inspection
Level 2 Certification
Level 2 certification is intended for individuals who have been in the challenge ropes course field for some time and can meet the core technical and facilitation skills required for operation of most high and low ropes course elements. A level 2 practitioners can demonstrate mastery of all Level 1 competencies. This training is designed to provide additional skills and knowledge to address unique situations and provide leadership to less experienced practitioners. Level 2 practitioners will have documentation of 200 hours of experience delivering programs on a challenge course.
Topics Covered:
- Rescue Scenarios and Tactics
- Leading Edge Climbing
- Challenge Course Construction Techniques
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Supervision of Others
- Communication
- Presence in Front of a Group
Challenge Course Manager (CCM)
Challenge Course Manager certification is intended for individuals who have been in the challenge ropes course field for some time and can meet the core technical and facilitation skills required for operation of most high and low ropes course elements as well as demonstrate the ability to supervise others, develop site specific operation procedures, conduct in-services, and implement the operations management of a facility. Level 2 practitioners will have documentation of 200 hours of experience delivering programs on a challenge course. A Challenge Course Manager will have a documentation of 500 hours of experience delivering programs on a challenge course.
Topics Covered:
- Mastery of All Skill from Levels 1 and 2
- Expanded Risk Management Procedures
- Challenge Course Construction Basics
- Understanding and Development of Site Specific First-Aid and Rescue Procedures
- Challenge Course Supervision Skills
Challenge Course Certification Grid
The grid below is designed to help illustrate the differences between the levels and what is required to attain certification through training or “challenging in” and/or recertifying as needed.
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Level I Level 1 certification is intended for entry level challenge course practitioners who would have no previous challenge course experience.
The Level 1 facilitator will have a thorough understanding of initiatives and low ropes course elements, traditional high ropes course elements and belay systems. |
Level 2 Level 2 certification is intended for individuals who have been in the challenge course field for some time and can meet the core technical and facilitation skills required for operation of most high and low ropes course elements.
A level 2 practitioner can demonstrate more than a Level 1, including: rescue procedures, self-climbing skills, understanding of common challenge course construction techniques, and supervision of others.
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Challenge Course Manager A Challenge Course Manager certification is intended for individuals that can fully meet the standards and can manage other facilitators.
Challenge Course Managers are recommended for positions that deliver programs requiring multiple facilitators, have multiple courses or multiple sites.
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Level One Options: Level 1 Full Certification Level 1 Spotted Activities Only Level 1 High Activities Only Level 1 Site/System Specific |
Level 2 Options: Level 2 Full Certification Level 2 Spotted Activities Only Level 2 High Activities Only Level 2 Site/System Specific
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Challenge Course Manager Options: Level 2 Full Certification Level 2 Spotted Activities Only Level 2 High Activities Only Level 2 Site/System Specific
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Training Length: 40 Hours (high and low) minimum 20 Hours (low only) minimum 20 Hours (high only) minimum 8 Hours (site specific) minimum
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Training Length: 80 Hours (high and low) minimum 44 Hours (low only) minimum 44 Hours (high only) minimum 24 Hours (site specific) minimum
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Training Length: 110 Hours (high and low) minimum 74 Hours (low only) minimum 74 Hours (high only) minimum
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Minimum Age: 18
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Minimum Age: 18
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Minimum Age: 21
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Previous Experience Required: None
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Previous Experience Required: 200 Documented Hours of Facilitation
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Previous Experience Required: 500 Documented Hours of Facilitation
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Duration of Certification: 1 year |
Duration of Certification: 3 years
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Duration of Certification: 5 years |
Recertification
For seasoned challenge course professionals, the option to “challenge in” to the certification levels is also available.
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Level 1 50 hours of program experience and training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |
Level 2 150 hours of program experience, 24 hours of documented training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |
CCM Level 300 hours of program experience, 30 hours of documented training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |
Challenging In
For seasoned challenge course professionals the option to “challenge in” to the certification levels is also available.
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Level 1 100 hours of program experience and training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |
Level 2 400 hours of program experience, 80 hours of documented training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |
CCM Level Level II Certification plus 600 hours of program experience, 30 hours of managerial training plus ability to pass written test with at least a score of 80%. |