Winkler Botanical Vs. Go Ape! What are they thinking?

So the question is which of these two scenarios is the craziest?

Winkler Botanical Preserve is located in Northern Virginia and sits in the shadow of the Interstate 395 in Alexandria. It has a few acres of prime land with a beautiful ropes course and a stone and timber visitor center. The preserve is managed by a private, non – profit organization with the mission to provide free environmental education for the students of Alexandria City public schools. This land is in jeopardy because VDOT is looking to direct traffic directly off I 395 and several of the proposals run the ramp right through Winkler to accommodate this.

On the other end of the spectrum is the approval by the Montgomery County Planning Board for Go Ape!, a for-profit enterprise based in the UK, to take over 6 acres of land and trees in Rock Creek Park at Lake Needwood. Go Ape! are being allowed to build a high wire forest adventure on Regional County Park land and reap the rewards. It goes even further to allow the potential clients to use the facilities (parking and rest rooms) already there for their own convenience.

Do you have opinion about either of these scenarios?
Is it right that a non-profit ropes course, for the benefit of the community be threatened whereas not 40 miles away a for- profit organizations is being allowed to take over public land?

Mexican Zip Line Experience!

Even when it comes to vacations, we always seem to find ourselves near a zip line! This year we vacationed down on the Mexican Mayan Riviera and had a wonderful time taking in the sights and sounds.

During our stay we visited two adventure parks that offered amazing zip line experiences and we wanted to check them out and see how they do things in Mexico. The first place we went to was Holkan Kingdom where they had built a series of wooden towers, 12 in all with 8 zip lines, 2 suspension bridges and one monkey walk joining the towers. The longest zip line was 800 feet long across the lagoon. Check them out and see what other great activities they do!

Some of the zip lines you zipped over the lagoon below and others over the tree tops of the Mexican jungle!. It was all great fun and gave us some ideas of what to add to our own ropes course back in Maryland, Upward Enterprises Team Building.

The second visit was to the Xplor Park which boasted 15 giant towers built of concrete and stone that were linked with 12 zip lines, two suspension bridges and one very long water chute! Two of the zip line landings were into water which was a new experience for us. The longest zip line was an amazing 1800 feet from a tower that stood 120 feet high above the jungle.

We had a blast at both of these parks and were really amazed at the set up and running of both, especially at Xplor. All of the staff was professional, friendly and there to make sure you got the best experience possible.

All in all, we loved everything about our trip and can't wait to head south again for some more adventure!

Are you ready for your next mission?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Photos from Ropes Course

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Coming to the end of a busy year, but its not over yet!

2009 has been a good year for us at Upward Enterprises and we are grateful to all our clients, new and returning for their support. At the the start of the year we were anxious as to what kind of year to expect with the economic downturn around the US and rest of the world.

It seems that Team Building is one of those things that is important and even more so in times like this when teams are changing, some decreasing in size and changing priorities. New teams are always being developed in the workplace, for new projects and ventures and for social and sporting themes.

So as 2009 approaches its final quarter we are still going strong and are enjoying having new clients come out to our Ropes Course facility and for as long as the weather is good and the clients are willing, we will continue to provide a rewarding experience for all on the course.

Upward Enterprises in Smart Company Magazine

Eat - Sleep - Play

Upward Enteprises is featured in this month's Smart Company Magazine, "Building Teams with Ropes". I had totally forgot about being interviewed for this article months ago until a stack of magazines were delivered to my doorstep. You can see my face in the table of contents and read the story starting on page 76. Team building during our current economic climate can reap benefits in morale and productivity. Truely I believe the rewards are immeasurable and not just because I'm in the industry. I've seen it with my own eyes many times on our ropes course when the "light bulb" turns on and team spirit kicks in. Very powerful.

See where you can pick up a copy of the magazine. http://www.smartcompanymag.com/articleDetail.aspx?id=253