Vertical Playpen
Want to learn more about Adventure and Experiential Education? Then this podcast is for you!
Listeners of this podcast will get;
- Adventure Programming Theory
- Facilitation Tips
- Activity Ideas
- Industry Career Advice
- Interviews from Industry Professionals
High 5 Adventure Learning Center is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to helping individuals, teams, schools, communities and businesses improve the way they live, learn and work together. Connect with us at high5adventure.org
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 26 minutes
- Episodes
- 293
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Benefits of Outdoor Leadership | Andrew Jillings
Phil is joined by his hometown connection Andrew Jillings to talk about his journey in experiential education, the benefits of both experience and certifications, and his winter reading list.
Find ou…
Reading Group Dynamics for Facilitators
When making your activity agenda it can be helpful to intentionally pick activities that can help you read your group. In this episode we explore what some of these activities are and their benefits.…
Adventure Program Safety and Risk Management Considerations | Bob Ryan
Bob Ryan (Director of Safety and Risk Management at Project Adventure) chats with Chris Damboise (Director of Training and Team Development at High 5) about his introduction to the adventure industry…
The Challenge Course Certification Process
Chris, Lisa and Phil talk about High 5's ACCT certification process including how to prepare, why you might want a certification, what the process looks like, and common pitfalls we see as examiners.…
Art and Experiential Education | Adam Ames (Type A)
In this episode, Phil and Jim are joined by Adam Ames (Type A) to discuss his experience being trained by Jim, the impact it had on him and the visual art piece that resulted from their experiences.
…
Risk Homeostasis
Lisa and Phil discuss the concept of Risk Homeostasis Theory and how it presents itself in adventure programming and challenge course operations.
Books referenced in this episode are:
Target Risk by …
AEE (Association for Experiential Education) | Sherry Bagley
Sherry Bagley (AEE Executive Director) discusses her journey to leading AEE, all of the great ways to volunteer for the organization and the future of experiential education.
The upcoming AEE Interna…
The Thinking Practitioner
Chris, Lisa and Phil discuss a concept that is a large part of High 5 trainings and also features in some of our books; The Thinking Practitioner. It can be applied to both challenge course operation…
The History of Outdoor Education | Hutch Hutchinson
Hutch Hutchinson (Senior Lecturer at Boston University Questrom School of Business) shares his road to working in Experiential Education, his love of the AEE community and the history of Outdoor Educ…
Cultural Immersion Experiences | Katherine Conway
Katherine Conway (AMIGOS) discusses the importance of experiencing different cultures, conflict resolution strategies and gap year programming.
Find more about AMIGOS here: amigosinternational.org
Neurochemicals at Play
In this episode Phil discusses the 4 primary neurochemicals that elicit happiness; Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin and Oxytocin, as well as activities that you can use with your participants to help …
What Inspired You To Become An Educator?
In this special episode we reached out to educators and asked them "What Inspired You To Become An Educator?" This is an inspirational and moving compilation of some of their responses. Thank you to …
Outdoor Education | Ross Cannon
Ross (Hulbert Outdoor Center) sat down with Phil to discuss the "magic" of working in outdoor education, making an impact on clients and relating to the mission of the organizations you work for.
Lea…
Finding Pinecones
In this episode Phil reads a blog he wrote back in 2018 titled "Finding Pinecones" which highlights the importance of being flexible with your agenda, reading your group's needs and enjoying the smal…
Children's Mental Health | Scott Bryant-Comstock
Scott, founder and CEO of the Children's Mental Health Network discusses the importance of advocacy and connection, gives some advice to educators regarding student mental health and shares what give…
Welcome to Vertical Playpen!
Welcome to Vertical Playpen! The podcast all about Adventure and Experiential Education! Join us as we interview experts in our field and give tips and advice utilizing our decades of experience. If …
Michelle Cummings - Training Wheels
Michelle joins Phil (while at the ACCT conference) to discuss how she got her start in experiential education, the importance of making connections and her parenting advice on coping with a world ful…
Gathering Again
The Training team give takeaways from their first in-person trainings while using COVID-19 protocols and discuss what participants can expect from attending our new workshop "Gathering Again - Advent…
Rohan Shahani - Challenge Works
Rohan (Director of Training) joins Phil to discuss the importance of asking "why?", his role on the Board of ACCT and variations on traditional low elements.
Check out Challenge Works - challengework…
Creating Conversations that Matter | Chad Littlefield
Chad joined Phil (via Zoom) to talk about being a collaborator instead of a consumer, ways to maximize your use of We! Connect Cards, and his tips for creating conversations that matter.
Find out mor…