Adventure Park Insider—Longmont, Colo., Feb. 20, 2025—If it’s February, it’s time to plan your training and certification schedule for the weeks and months ahead. The following is a list of some of the open enrollment training opportunities that suppliers and training providers have scheduled.
The Facilitator and Trainer’s UnConference
Feb. 27-March 1
Residence Inn by Marriott, Longmont, Colo.
This is not a standard training of any sort. Instead, the three-day gathering, conducted by Leahy & Associates, invites professionals to share their ideas, expertise and passion for experiential education. The UnConference, which has been held annually since 1993, forges a “dynamic learning community” through the use of Open Space technology, in which participants influence the direction, content and outcomes of the conference. Find more details here.
Two pre-conference workshops are scheduled for Feb. 26: “Agency, Challenge, Choice and Control,” based on UnConference founder Tom Leahy’s book of the same title, takes place 8 a.m.–noon. “Extraordinary Facilitation,” led by Dr. Jim Cain, draws on his more than 50 years of experience to provide 100 tips on becoming a better facilitator; this takes place 1-5 p.m.
Each pre-conference workshop costs $100, though Leahy’s can be bundled with the conference cost itself for $75.
Cost for the UnConference ranges from $75-$600, depending on events attended. Register here.
ACCT-Oriented Trainings
Many of the following programs offer ACCT Level 1 and/or Level 2 training and certification. The basics of these programs:
Level 1 is an entry-level certification that requires no previous experience. Certification signifies that the practitioner can deliver routine programming and is proficient in core technical skills. It is good for one year.
Level 2 is an advanced certification that requires previous experience and either a Level I certification or equivalent (40 hours documented training within the last year). This certification signifies that the practitioner can deliver advanced programming and is technically proficient. It is good for three years.
Level 2 candidates must have an up-to-date portfolio documenting 200 hours of course facilitation and complete the 40-hour Level 2 (Level 1?) training.
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Signature Research Open Enrollment Course
March 3-7
URJ Camp Coleman, Cleveland, Ga.
Signature is offering Level 1 & 2 training. The program costs $780, including training, tuition, certification testing, and materials. For lodging information, contact Judy Limor, [email protected]. Meals are not included.
Go here for more information or to register.
If you’re unable to commit to a full training session, Signature can offer blended learning opportunities that can fit into your schedule. Reach out for more details on how to tailor the training to meet your needs.
Experiential Systems, Inc.
March 9-13 (Level 2)
March 13-15 (CCM)
Covenant Harbor Camp, Lake Geneva, Wis.
ESI is offering an open enrollment training for ACCT Level 2, completed to ACCT Practitioner certification guidelines, and Challenge Course Manager (CCM), including Challenge Course Practitioner training and certification.
Note: participants are asked to send their portfolio in advance to [email protected].
Costs start at $500; meals are included and housing is available. For more information, contact Jamie Leslie at [email protected].
Register here.
Challenge Towers
Rope Access Workshop
March 11-13
Asheville, N.C.
Take at-height skills to the next level with the Rope Access Workshop, designed specifically for aerial adventure professionals. Intended for zip line operators, challenge course directors, or adventure park managers, this course provides the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience to safely and confidently work beyond belay cables. The focus is on basic rope access, fall protection, and work-at-height systems and concepts guided by SPRAT/IRATA curriculum, to empower aerial adventure professionals to safely inspect, maintain, and repair hard-to-reach areas of their facility.
Cost: $450 (excludes food and lodging)
Find additional course and registration info here.
Experiential Systems, Inc. Open Enrollment
April 7-12
Camp Johnsonburg, Johnsonburg, N.J.
ESI is offering an open enrollment training for ACCT Levels 1 and 2, completed to ACCT Practitioner certification guidelines, and Challenge Course Manager (CCM), including Challenge Course Practitioner training and certification.
Note: participants in Level 2 and CCM tracks are asked to send their portfolio in advance to [email protected].
Register here. For more information, contact ESI at (877) 206-8967.
Challenge Works Open Enrollment
April 7-11
Santa Cruz, Calif.
This program covers Levels 1 and 2. Training for both levels takes place over five days and culminates in a final day of written and practical assessment where participants will be tested for Level 1 or Level 2 ACCT Challenge Course Practitioner certification.
Candidates for Level 1 should have at least 100 hours of documented program delivery and experience; for Level 2, 200 hours of documented program delivery and 40 hours of documented training.
Cost: Training and testing, $975; accommodations, $275; meals, $125.
Register here. For more information: (831) 440-1421, [email protected].
Signature Research Open Enrollment
April 7-11
Bellevue Challenge Course, Bellevue, Wash.
Signature is offering Level 1 and 2 training. The program costs $780, including training, tuition, certification testing, and materials. Meals and lodging are not included.
Go here for more information or to register. You can also contact Paul Bland ([email protected]) or Michelle Rouleau ([email protected]) for more information.
Challenge Towers
Level 1 and 2 ACCT Practitioner Training
April 21-26
High Gravity Adventures, Blowing Rock, N.C.
The 40-hour program uses a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on practice to develop the expertise needed to operate safely and confidently in dynamic environments.
The program uses Chapter 2 Operation Standards, Section C of the ANSI/ACCT 03-2019 Challenge Course and Canopy/Zip Line Tours Standards. The training will last up to 40 hours over five days with an additional day for testing.
Lodging is available at the Blowing Rock Conference Center and nearby hotels.
Cost: $950. More information available here.
Register here.
