Back to Blighty

At last the embassy has finally given us the new date to go back to get our visas. This process has only taken 3 years to date and it looks like we may finally have cracked it. Don't hold your breaths for us though as you know things change quickly. Don't fear in our absence as we are putting into place an awesome team to fill the gap. Programs will go ahead as planned and you will probably not miss us at all. We should get to see family in the quick visit and someone even rumored a party or two.

training training training

I have just gotten back from a 5 day high ropes course training in New England. I have been holding back from these trainings and tests because of the "Do I need this or not?" syndrome.

In the end I decided to sign up. I am glad I did the training simply to convince myself that I am on the right track and to consolidate the things I am teaching my staff and protocols that I insist they apply.

High ropes course rescues are a key skill that we hope we never have to perform. However they are essential to practice and by doing so you increase your familiarity that could make the difference during the real thing if it were to occur.

We think we know best sometimes and are somewhat complacent when it comes to reacting to adversity. How would you react in an emergency high ropes rescue? Do you set up for the worst case scenario? Are your staff competant in their skill set? Or even, do your clients ask the pertinent questions about the level of credentials that you hold as a ropes course manager and operator?

Hemlock Closure Follow Up

Thanks to DH for his responses to my earlier blog about the closure of Hemlock Overlook as a team building facility. It appears you have some inside knowledge but to the general public June 30, 2009 seems to be the end. The web page "Save Hemlock" is a great attempt to inform and show that the industry and locals to Hemlock care about another great team building resource potentially going to the wall.

Good luck in your efforts and let me know if I can help I anyway.
-Clive Felgate

Hemloch Overlook Closure

Has anyone else heard that the Hemlock Overlook operation is closing in June 2009?
Personally I don't beleive that the DNR state park will find a new partner to help them throgh this difficult transition in the coming year and I am back up in this thought by the fact that they are not taking bookings passed June.
Now we have all those clients scuttling Hemlock Overlook to the other ropes course vendors for a make do for this season.
We at Upward Enterprises run a very different Team Building program that uses the much larger ropes course to its full potential in an Experiantial Learning capacity. Yes our rates can be higher and generally the programs are longer and Rome was not built in a day. To know this you must visit the site and experience the programs.
Are you game?

When the weather outside is biting.......

The summer may have come and gone, (although its still feeling pretty summer like today at 84') but we know that the good weather won't last forever!

Even when the mercury drops, we can still run programs out on the Ropes Course, all that is needed are some willing participants and some extra layers of clothing. To reward those brave ones who come out to us in the colder season we are offering special rates along with some hot chocolate to warm you up!

Call 301 834 6140 to discuss bringing your group out to the ropes course in November or December and don't forget your hat and gloves!

Ropes Course Open day a sucess

On Sunday 5th October we held an open day on the ropes course to enable smaller groups and individuals the opportunity to come out to the course and experience a 4 hour program.

It was a perfect fall day with bright blue sunny skies. All of the attendees had a great time and tried many of the activities for the first time that day. Starting on the lower elements on the course to build up confidence the group worked well together, progressing to the higher elements including the 600ft long zip line through the trees.

The group exchanged experiences and stories over the included picnic lunch, while taking in the beautiful surroundings that the course is set in.

The finale to the day was to climb the 20ft 'leap of faith' pole and jump from the top to catch the trapeze bar. It was a little windy up on top of the pole, but this didn't put off the 'jumpers' who gave their best shot at catching the trapeze!

We look forward to arranging another open day so that more people can experience the course for themselves.