Vertical Playpen

Latest Episodes:

Media Training and Avoiding the Rut | Matt Marcus Jun 13, 2023

Show notes

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 Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). We discuss his volunteer work with the ACCT, including his contributions as a board member.

As we peer into the horizon, Matt shares his insightful predictions on the future of the adventure industry. He discusses emerging trends, technological advancements, and the evolving needs of adventure enthusiasts.

We also explore Matt's belief in the importance of media training for adventure educators and facilitators. Recognizing the power of storytelling and effective communication, he discusses how media training can elevate the skills of those in the industry, enabling them to connect with participants on a deeper level and create impactful experiences.

Learn more about Challenge Design Innovations - https://challengedesign.com/

Connect with Matt - mmarcus@challengedesign.com

Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Creative Community Building | Spud Marshall Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

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 solitude have shaped his approach to community building.

As an introverted facilitator, Spud provides a unique perspective on engaging with others while honoring his own energy. Learn how he leverages his introversion as a strength, allowing him to listen attentively, create safe spaces, and foster deep connections within the communities he serves.

One of the key aspects we explore is tapping into the collective wisdom of groups. Spud shares strategies, techniques, and stories that demonstrate the power of bringing diverse voices together to generate innovative solutions and collective intelligence.

Finally, we dive into the benefits of focusing on long-term outcomes for participants. Spud's experience reveals how nurturing a community's growth and development over time leads to lasting impact and transformation. Gain insights into the ripple effects that can emerge when facilitators prioritize the bigger picture and guide participants towards sustainable growth.

Learn more about Spud - https://mycreative.community/

Connect with Spud - iamspud5@gmail.com

Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Accomplishment vs Achievement May 30, 2023

Show notes

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 provides a more intrinsic and fulfilling motivation.

Drawing connections to the field of adventure education, we explore how educators can inspire and guide learners to cultivate a healthy balance between achievement and accomplishment. We reflect on the importance of encouraging students to set their own goals, fostering a sense of ownership and agency in their learning journeys.

What did this make you consider regarding the way you work with your participants?

Let us know either by email - podcast@high5adventure.org or via instagram - @verticalplaypen

NY Times essay - "What we lose when push our kids to 'Achieve'" by Adam Gopnik - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/15/opinion/youth-achievement-happiness.html

Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Answering your questions May 23, 2023

Show notes

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 process when you have a bad day?

Submit all future questions to - podcast@high5adventure.org or send a message via instagram - @verticalplaypen

Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Camp Novice to Camp Pro | Mike Nelson May 16, 2023

Show notes

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 - 23nelson@gmail.com

Learn more about Camp Wicosuta - https://www.campwicosuta.com/

Music and sound effects - epidemic sound

Reflecting Skills and Methods May 09, 2023

Show notes

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 easier reflection
How the ABCDE's of problem solving can be used to reflect

Music and sound effects - epidemic sound

Winning The Stanley Cup | Geoff Ward May 02, 2023

Show notes

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 Geoff Ward, who has served in various coaching roles for those teams.

In this episode Phil is joined by Jim Grout (High 5's Founding Director) and Geoff Ward to discuss the last decade of team development work with Hockey teams.

Making The Organized Seem Improvised Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

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 with Kyra - krichardson@high5adventure.org

Connect with Ryan - rmccormick@high5adventure.org

Music and Sound Effects - epidemic sound

Camp Nuhop | Trevor Dunlap Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

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

What vs Why Introductions Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

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

High 5's Annual Symposium is a great coming together of adventure professionals who love to have fun, share and learn. It's a special 1-day event for our community to reconnect, re-energize, and re-engage with our learning and each other! We've lined up over 15 workshop sessions, each one offering timely topics, fresh ideas, and creative tools and activities that you can start using immediately in your classroom, challenge course program, workplace, camp, outdoor center - wherever adventure learning takes you.

Register for the Symposium here - https://store.high5adventure.org/products/adventure-practitioners-symposium-1-day?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web&_ga=2.255767051.2090452263.1678733796-1154500371.1670878511

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected