GRIFFIN ADVENTURES

8931 Crystal Falls Drive
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Phone/Fax: 301-739-1066

Griffin Adventures offers a variety of Training programs for Low and High Challenge Course Facilitator’s as well as the Challenge Course Manager. Griffin training courses are designed to address those competencies listed within the Association for Challenge Course Technology Challenge Course Operational Standards.

Griffin Adventures offer individual training certificates and written evaluations to students upon completion of the various courses listed below. Standard courses are designed to equip students who plan to be itinerant facilitators and/or managers. Standard Training Courses incorporate a wide variety of challenge course elements, spotting techniques, belay techniques and general instruction geared towards equipping students with fundamental principles applicable to a wide variety of course designs and programming applications.

CCF/BL (Challenge Course Facilitator / Basic Low Ropes) – 20 hours: Students receiving a Challenge Course Facilitator Training Certificate for Low Ropes from Griffin Adventures for the first time are required to attend and participate in this twenty hour training course in which the following skill development areas are addressed: Programming Goals, Sequencing and Assessment, Warm-up activities, Spotting Skills, Element Guidelines to include Instructor’s Role, Spotter’s Knowledge and Participant Responsibilities.

Students receive both written and practical instruction throughout the course of this twenty-hour program. Initial training begins with students being led through a series of cooperative games, group initiatives and low challenge course elements through the participant’s experience.

Students are then briefed on the specific topics relevant to these activities as outlined in their textbook and onsite program curriculum (when available).

During the final segment of this training course, student CCF’s are evaluated as they lead a group through a series of cooperative games, group initiatives and low challenge course elements. Following this practical evaluation, students are given a written exam for which an 80% minimum score is required to qualify for a Griffin Adventures certification. 

OP/BDB (Operator/Basic Dynamic Belay) – 8 hours:

The Basic Dynamic Belay certificate is designed as an entry level training for those working specifically as ground belayers for climbing walls or those assisting the qualified high rope CCF. Students receive both written and practical instruction in: knot tying, seat harness and helmet fitting, Dynamic Belay and Spotting Skills.

Following a practical evaluation, students are given a written exam for which an 80% minimum score is required to qualify for a Griffin Adventures certification.

NOTE: Students completing the Operator training are limited to ground level assignments.

CCF/BH (Challenge Course Facilitator / Basic High Ropes) – 20 hours:

Students receiving a Challenge Course Facilitator Training Certificate for High Ropes from Griffin Adventures for the first time are required to attend and participate in this twenty-hour training course in which the following skill development areas are addressed: Programming Goals, Sequencing and Assessment; Knot Tying, Belay & Spotting Skills, Equipment Application & Usage, High Element set-up, operations and “pick-off” rescues.Students receive both written and practical instruction throughout the course of this twenty-hour program.

During the final segment of this training course, student CCF’s receive a practical evaluation and written exam for which an 80% minimum score is required to qualify for a Griffin Adventures certification.

CCF/HR (Challenge Course Facilitator / High Ropes Rescue) – 8 hours:
Experienced High Rope Challenge Course Facilitators, wishing to add Rescue skills to their repertoire, will find this course an essential addition. To qualify for the CCF/HR course, students must possess a CCF/BH certification or equivalent training. CCF/HR students must have accumulated a minimum of 100 hours of high challenge course experience.

Students receive both written and practical instruction in working through a wide variety of high rope rescue scenario’s to include: equipment rescue, belay escape, dynamic and static belay rescues, “pick-off” and “cut-away” rescue techniques.

The final segment of this course consists of both a written exam and practical evaluation. Minimum score of 80% required on written exam to qualify for Griffin Adventures certification.

CCM (Challenge Course Manager) – 16 hours:
An eight-hour workshop designed to equip students to fulfill the responsibilities associated with managing a challenge ropes course. Topics addressed during the CCM course include: Program Philosophy, Administration, Standard Operational Procedures, Risk Management, Documentation, Safety Inspections, Maintenance, Equipment Care and Staff Qualifications.

To qualify for the CCM course, students must possess both a CCF/AL & CCF/AH certification or equivalent training. CCM students must have accumulated a minimum of 300 combined hours of low and high challenge course experience.

The final segment of this course consists of both a written exam and practical evaluation. Minimum score of 80% required on written exam to qualify for Griffin Adventures Course Certificate. 

Griffin Adventures offer training certificates custom tailored to train your staff on your challenge course, providing facilities first generation professional level training for their entire challenge course staff. Course descriptions and curriculum requirements, including practical evaluation and testing is consistent with those previously listed. However, course length is based upon the size and make-up of the individual course, class size and experience levels. On-Site Certifications can only be applied to the designated challenge course training site.

What does a Griffin Training Certificate imply? Students successfully completing a Griffin Adventures  Training Course have received instruction and evaluation from a current Professional Vendor Member of the Association of Challenge Course Technology. The Griffin Adventures Training Certificate reflects the student’s attendance and participation for the entire duration of the prescribed training period, demonstration on the student’s part of practical skill requirements and an 80% or higher score on the written exam. Basic level Operator’s and Facilitator’s are encouraged to apprentice / co-facilitate with an experienced Facilitator for their first 25 hours.

How often should CCF’s receive training?
 Griffin Adventures recommends that all CCF’s log a minimum of 100 hours annually of low and/or high challenge course facilitation experience in order to maintain adequate skill competencies. Griffin Adventures recommends that all CCF’s complete a refresher course within three years of the issue of their current certificate. Those CCF’s unable to accumulate 100 hours experience the first year are encouraged to attend a second basic level training course. CCF’s unable to meet the 300 hour requirement within three-years in order to qualify for an advanced level training course are encouraged to repeat a basic level training course.

What is the difference between the standard Griffin Adventures Training Courses and a Custom On-Site Training Course? Because of the specific nature of the On-Site Training Course, only those elements specific to the home site are addressed in their entirety. Therefore, a Custom On-Site Training Certificate is only applicable to a specific site and is not considered transferable to other challenge courses. Individual students are issued certificates as in the standard training. The host site is given a written evaluation of the training course.