4-H Facilitation: Low Ropes Course

This training program scaffolds from the entrance point to 4-H Challenge facilitation and still falls under the WSU 4-H system, the standards by which Chelan County Extension operates its challenge course program. We base this course on the Experiential Learning Model “Do, Reflect, Apply” and is structured as such. Your training cohort will start the course as participants with Portable Challenge activities and on the low challenge course together, experiencing the course through the lens of the groups you will be leading in the future. After you “Do” the training will move into the deep work of the science and theory behind group dynamics and facilitation. This will be the bulk of our “Reflect” as we discuss the hows and whys of sequencing, framing, and debriefing. Then we will move into “Apply” as you and your cohort will have your turn leading each other through initiatives and elements on the course.

The entire training is all outside. While the 3 overall segments of training (participation, theory, and practice) relate closely to the “Do, Reflect, Apply” model, you will find yourself engaging in this cycle on a smaller scale in every activity that you do during this experience.

While the main objective of this training is to prepare you to become a challenge course facilitator, the leadership skills and methods taught in this course are beneficial to anyone who works in group settings. Aside from the obvious youth-workers, these skills are valuable and applicable to HR professionals, team supervisors, managers, and those who teach other city-wide training’s.