November 12, 1997

(Note: a part of this chat was not captured)

[Chip] What is Nitro's Crossing?
Christian> For me the difference is that initiatives are team based activities...while low ropes are individual challenges set up low to the ground
[farley] That good, many people look at the highs and say I have to get to the top. The best way to handle this is to have them set up 3 goals. One --what is a piece of cake---2 what can I do with this element that will be a stretch--3 what can't I imagine myself doing today. This way , if somebody get only two feet on the rope ladder and that was their stretch goal. Success.
Christian> Things like the snake, boson chairs (tire traverse), tension traverse, slack lines, and the like
[farley] Any body familiar with the Mohawk walk
Christian> Yes
[farley] Agree Christian, but I see most of them high and they are
individual
[Chip] Success is in the growth of the individual. The person that had the biggest growth is often the person who does not reach the top.
[farley] Mohawk is low and tons of cooperation---agree chip
Christian> But they are also set up low....and this is where I see people confusing low ropes with initiatives
[farley] agree Christian
Christian> It's just another one of our intercessions in language usage
[Chip] I try to instill in my clients that teams are made up of people and that when they support each other magic happens. Not everyone achieves at the same level or excuse the pun height.
[farley] Nitro crossing is where you have a suspended rope from the ceiling and you set it up so the GROUP has to all get across an area without touching the ground.
Christian> Chip I think that is a big part of what our work is about...building connections
Christian> The connections require communication
[Chip] That is why I like the theory of reflection vs. application.
Christian> support for me is a physical form of communication and communication supports communication
Christian> I'm not sure what you mean by reflection vs. application
[Chip] It's to easy to simply say that is the way to be or act, and excuse the feelings and emotions that drive the actions.
Christian> I don't see it as an either or debate
Christian> In fact in my research on E.E. this is a central principle and therefore I think it also informs ABE
[Chip] In the world of training people are taught only what to do. You mentioned the pregnancy topic. Telling kids not to get pregnant by using condoms differs greatly from getting them to realize the results of getting pregnant. They then have an emotional basis on which to drive their actions.
[farley] nicely said chip
Christian> But chip is that reflection vs. application or is reflection leading to real application?
Christian> In Dewy's model of E.L. Which Kolb made visual I think it is more the latter
[Chip] Refection leads to lasting learning and change. Lasting learning leads to application.
Christian> You really need to check out Roger Greenaway's page...he is really into reflection
Christian> That I agree with fully
[Chip] I will, thank you. It sounds good.
Christian> I think that critical reflection is very missing in education...as is creativity
Christian> These are areas that in adventure-based work we excel at.
[Chip] I come from the world of training. I spent far to long teaching people only to act without creating an emotional basis that would allow them to make their own decisions.
[farley] too much preaching, not enough empowerment?
[Chip] Those facilitation skills are greatly needed in education.
Christian> Well let's be honest that the corporate training and public education are linked in terms of mass production and a premium on efficiency
[Chip] You are very right!!! I get so frustrated when I hear about an individual going to a conference in Disney World with no expectation of change when get back home.
[farley] I got to go--Its 9pm and the wife will be home for work in a few minutes. I hope to get on line next week
Christian> Yeah...and did you know that Disney World is now do "Ropes Courses" and "Climbing Walls"
Christian> Great to have you in the chat Farley....we'll hope to see you next week
[Chip] I once read a schedule of events for a Leadership workshop that started out by meeting Mickey, morning golf, lunch with Goofy, a tour of the Magic Kingdom, and dinner with Snow White. Where was the learning. I do not mean that every group that goes to Disney World does not learn They do offer some very good services.
[Chip] Good evening Farley, great to talk to you.
[farley] More and more people are doing "ropes course and walls" and they are doing so much for just the thrills. Sometime It's hared to draw them in to understand that there is more than the thrills. later dudes
[Chip] Reflection is the difference between "thrills" and learning.
Christian> You said it well Farley...that is the need to differentiate
Adventure education/Recreation from Adventure Based
>> farley has left channel #Adventure-basedChat
[Chip] It is 6 and the end of our time. I will try to get back on line next week. Thanks for spending the hour with me Christian.