Vertical Playpen

Latest Episodes:

Careers in Adventure Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Are you looking for a career in the adventure industry?

One of the main driving reasons for creating the podcast was to highlight the many ways that people have found careers in the adventure industry.

This summer Phil wrote an article for Adventure Park Insider (API) titled "Mapping Career Paths".

In this episode Phil reads the article while using the voices of those professionals featured in the article.

Subscribe to API - https://adventureparkinsider.com/subscribe-to-the-adventure-park-insider-magazine/

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Intro/Outro song - Future is Now by FLYIN

Article song - At First Light by Gavin Luke

High 5's Got Talent? Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

This episode has very little educational value, but should, at the very least, put a smile on your face!

You can be the judge of who in this episode has the talent.

Featured are;

- Ella singing "A little seed"

- Phil singing "Pure Imagination"

- Sam Hunt - instrumental performance

Ubuntu Cards - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/high-5-products/products/ubuntu-cards

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Future is Now by FLYIN

Facilitation Pitfall - Props Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

Newer facilitators (understandably) rely on bags full of props when facilitating programs....I certainly did.

In this episode Phil and Ryan discuss;

- the value of enhancing your facilitation skills

- the importance of avoiding becoming too reliant on props

- using props in deeper ways

Tinker Book - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/high-5-products/products/tinker-building-purposeful-experiences-from-classic-adventure-activities

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Future is Now by FLYIN

How To Store Your Gear Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Poor gear storage can lead to;

- Replacing damaged gear

- Lack of professionalism

- Participants who are now less likely to climb

In this episode Phil shares his recommendations for gear storage.

ROAM Storage Case - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/equipment-storage/products/roam-adventure-co-rugged-casses

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Future is Now by FLYIN

Summer Camp Training Takeaways Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Summer Camp Training season recently wrapped up for our training team.

In this episode, Phil shares his 5 big takeaways.

- Practice makes progress

- Belay stance is so important

- Lighter belayer/heavier climber

- Prior knowledge isn't always a good thing

- Where is the gear?

Link to Tinker - https://store.high5adventure.org/collections/high-5-products/products/tinker-building-purposeful-experiences-from-classic-adventure-activities

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Future is Now by FLYIN

Preparing Participants for Struggle Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Do we adequately prepare our participants for struggle and frustration on the ropes course?

It's a challenge course, not a success course, after all.

In this episode, Phil, Lisa and Rich talk about facilitating struggle, share stories of struggle and give some activity ideas that you can use with your next group.

Referenced in this episode are 2 blog posts;

- The Struggle is Real - https://high5adventure.org/the-struggle-is-real/

- A Force to Be Reckoned With: The Helium Hoop - https://high5adventure.org/a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-the-helium-hoop/

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - It's Real by Blake Everett

Parachute Cords Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

Parachute Cords (aka P-cords) are an essential feature of a ropes course, as they are what you use to set your ropes up and take them down at the end of the day.

They can also be the MOST ANNOYING part of facilitating on a course as they can get tangled in everything they touch, and can also be the reason for having to perform a gear retrieval.

In this episode, Phil and Rich discuss all things parachute cord on your course!

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Be My Parachute by Basixx, Mia Pfirrman

The Traveling Trainer Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

As a full-time adventure education trainer, travel is a part of the work.

Traveling can be full of great experiences but it also features a lot of time in cars and hotels.

In this episode, Phil details 2 of those car/hotel experiences and also shares a recent mistake and reminder that he had during this summer travel season.

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Memorabilia by Phello

Facilitation Anxiety Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

Do you feel anxious before facilitating programs?

Our training team collectively says an emphatic yes!

This episode is a re-release of a conversation we recorded a couple of years ago, sharing our anxiety experiences and giving some tips on how we overcome them.

Music and Sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Song - Anxiety by Mindme

Making Mistakes Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Over the years, we all make mistakes.

However, we are often too embarrassed to bring them up because of the possibility of being negatively judged.

It is through these mistakes though that we learn and by sharing them with others we can help prevent them from making the same ones.

In this episode, Phil and Rich will be sharing some of the mistakes they have made over the years, with 2 main goals;

- Help you learn from their mistakes

- Role-model the vulnerability that comes from sharing those mistakes.

If you would like to share a mistake you have made for the benefit of your fellow listener, consider letting us know either by;

- Sending a message via Instagram - @verticalplaypen