Challenge Course Technical Skills Training

Every year we get lots of inquiries from students interested in available jobs at Outdoor Endeavors.  Unfortunately, we have far more applications than available positions.  The area we always do need help is in operating the Husky Challenge Course.  The first step in becoming a facilitator is developing the technical skills necessary to keep both participants and facilitators safe.

Training Dates:
Friday, April 6th 5pm-8pm
Saturday, April 7th 9am-5pm
Sunday, April 8th 9am-1pm

Cost is $99 per person.  Participants must pre-register with SCSU Outdoor Endeavors!

This training is physically demanding and requires mastery of skills in participant & facilitator safety gear, safety systems, ascending & descending safely, group management, essential knots, set up & take down along with specific policies related to challenge course operation.  Participants are evaluated on a series of criteria established by the ropes course industry and have the opportunity to make these skills portable to other programs.

Upon successful completion of the Technical Skills & Facilitator Training, participants will be eligible, as contract facilitators, to serve in a paid role helping Outdoor Endeavors operate challenge course programs.  Contract facilitators receive an hourly salary for working programs, free continuing education, opportunity for advancement and the opportunity to serve as a leader and impact the lives of our participants.

If you are looking for an opportunity to do something out out of the norm, build your leadership skills and have a great time learning the skills needed to run a ropes course!

Printable Flier
Challenge Course Technical Skills Training

Contact Ivan Bartha at ilbartha@stcloudstate.edu or 320-308-6691 for more information.

Becoming a Challenge Course Facilitator

If you are interested in becoming a challenge course facilitator, we want to talk to you! Our training is rigorous and requires a solid commitment from part-time and contract facilitators. We can build custom training experiences for new facilitators specific to our challenge course. Becoming a challenge course facilitator not only helps our program deliver customer programs, but also provides a great leadership opportunity and chance to develop new skills.

Here is the progression all our student facilitators follow:

1. Attend a 16 hour technical skills training and be able to perform outlined skills safely and consistently.
2. Serve as an Assistant Facilitator for 16 hours of direct programming under the supervision of the Challenge Course Student Manager or Coordinator.
3. Attend and successfully complete 2-4 hours of group facilitation training.
4. Attend and successfully complete 2-4 hours of low ropes & group initiative training.
5. Attend and successfully complete 2-4 hours of safety & risk management training.
6. Maintain current American Red Cross 1st Aid & CPR.

Receive recommendation from Challenge Course Student Manager or Coordinator for promotion to Lead Facilitator.

Outdoor Endeavors schedules these trainings twice annually. Please contact Ivan Bartha for more information on this unique opportunity at (320) 308-6691 or at challengecourse@stcloudstate.edu