All organizations, regardless of their purpose, cope with the same basic issues in terms of managing performance. They must define clear and obtainable goals, develop roles and processes oriented toward achieving those goals, and engage their personnel in working towards the same outcomes.

Given the complexities of the modern workplace, however, implementation of those seemingly simple concepts most often takes place in an atmosphere fraught with competing interests, ambiguous lines of authority, limited time, curtailed resources and fragmented communication. Not surprisingly, then, many organizations find it useful to occasionally step away from the workplace and take time to recharge their personnel, re-tool their work processes and focus on resolving specific business issues without the distraction of day-to-day activities.

Over the past twenty years Action-Learning has become an increasingly popular component of such off-site meetings. Used as a complement to more traditional deliberative and analytical modalities, action learning provides a practical instrument for assessing performance, stimulating leadership, encouraging team development and improving problem-solving skills in an atmosphere that encourages participation, cultivates enthusiasm and is just plain fun.

Geof Childs, our PDP Manager, has created Action Learning programs for some of the largest and most successful business organizations in the world. A writer, businessman, professional mountain guide and the former president of Pinnacle LTD Consulting, Geof brings a unique blend of humor and insight to all programs.

A partial list of his former clients include:

. . . and many other

We offer contract groups two basic types of programming–

Recreational
High energy, exciting, full participation activities that include everything from rock climbing and horseback riding to scavenger-type events . . . all maximizing our spectacular local environment.

Challenge
Full participation challenge-type programs for intact working groups, regardless of their size. Activities include complex action learning scenarios emphasizing goal achievement, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills.

 

 

 

Take a careful look at your group and ask yourself what goals you have in mind for the specific activity are and what limiting parameters might exist – such as time or physical fitness. As an example, if your want a high energy, high demand activity for a group of type A personalities than choose from one of our more physically challenging events such as rock climbing (“Recreational”, below) or the ropes/challenge course (“Experiential”, below). Similarly, if your goal is to improve teamwork and enhance problem-solving skills than avoid activities in which participants will be excluded from full participation because of fitness issues or athletic ability.

Rock Climbing
For thrill seekers and/or groups with high levels of physical fitness. We use low ratio instruction(6:1) to maximize safety, skills acquisition and full participation. Group members learn the basic skills of climbing, rappelling, belaying and rope management. Cost includes all climbing gear except rock climbing shoes which can be rented locally.

Time: Half day

Cost: $150/person

Limitations: Minimum of three

Orienteering
A scavenger-type activity incorporating the hills, trails and spectacular vistas of the upper Methow Valley. Varied goals put this activity within the ability range of any adult in reasonable physical condition. After an introductory lesson, participants use map and compass to find and complete a specific project.

Time: Half day

Cost: $100/person

Limitations: Minimum of ten

The goal of all our professional development programs is to offer participants a safe, fully inclusive, entertaining and educational experiences customized to meet their specific requirements. Whether you are interested in an afternoon challenge course, a few hours of leadership and team development training, or the up-tempo, multi-tasking challenge of Mazama Inc., we can deliver a program that will leave everyone in your organization both exhilarated and thinking.

As stated in the introduction to this page, all our Challenge programs are based on engaging participants in establishing goals, roles, process and then enlisting the interpersonal support to succeed in accomplishing the work at hand. This framework provides a simple tool for evaluating process and seeking means of improving upon both individual and group performance.

Ropes/Challenge Course
A range of low-ropes and problem-solving events oriented toward groups wishing to focus on teamwork. An introductory briefing and wrap-up discussion provides an opportunity for groups to set performance goals and analyze outcome. All of the problem-solving activities and most of the rope events will be within the range of all participants.

Time: Half day (3-4 hours)

Cost: $100/person

Limitations: Minimum of ten $100 set-up fee

Mazama, Inc.
Our most popular activity. In Mazama, Inc. we create a scenario in which your organization seeks to develop a business-to-business relationship with the goal of scrutinizing our marketplace in order to develop, deliver and market a Methow specific product. Only in this particular case, your organization’s market research will consist of rappelling, raft building, biking, orienteering, horseback riding, etc. And your product will be delivered via construction of a Tyrolean rope bridge. Like anywhere else, consultants are available to offer you their assistance, OSHA maintains safety and your customer has their own peculiar set of demands. An introductory briefing and wrap-up discussion provide opportunities for your group to set performance goals, seek improvement and analyze outcome. The range of activities are designed specifically to allow for the full participation of everyone.

Time: Half day (3-4 hours)

Cost: $100/person

Limitations: Minimum of ten $100 set-up fee

 

To learn more about these programs or to book your group –

Phone: Geof Childs at (509) 996-2782 home or (509) 996-3194 guide shop
Email: gdchilds@methow.com or ncinfo@ncmountainguides.com
Mail: North Cascades Mountain Guides 50 Lost River Road, Mazama, WA 98833

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