Why an Operation Review Could Be the Most Valuable Step You Take This Year

An Operation Review is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your challenge course or aerial adventure park operations. While most incidents today don’t come from broken equipment, they do often stem from human factors — unclear policies, training gaps, or inconsistent supervision.

In this article, we break down what an Operation Review actually involves, why ANSI/ACCT Standards require one every five years, and the most common issues we’ve seen across the industry this season. From strengthening inspection systems, to building risk management programs, to keeping staff training sharp all year long, an Operation Review can help you reduce risks and create a culture of safety and consistency.

If it’s been more than five years since your last review — or if you’ve never had one — now is the time. Read the full article to learn how an Operation Review can set your program up for a safer, smoother, and more successful season.

A New High Point: Synergo Builds Aerial Adventure Course for Camp Firwood

This summer, Synergo partnered with Camp Firwood to design and build a brand-new aerial adventure course that’s already becoming the highlight of camp. The two-level structure features 30+ elements, a treehouse-style entry deck, tandem ziplines, and TrueBlue quick descents — all built with safety, scalability, and camper experience in mind. The course gives campers the chance to push their limits, bond with cabinmates, and take in incredible forest views while choosing their own level of challenge.

Challenge Course Staff Training – A High Impact Partnership

Today's labor market where there is often high turnover requires an organization to be nimble and being able to deliver high quality training in-house allows you to train as staff are hired. However, developing in-house training staff and systems that align with standards and industry best-practices can be both challenging and time consuming.

By following a strategic, step-by-step process, your trainers gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to deliver professional, standards-aligned training. This not only enhances staff development and retention but also ensures consistency, safety, and operational excellence.

Challenge Course IndustryNathan PfefferkornMarch 6, 2025

How to Interpret Your Professional Challenge Course Inspection and Budget for Repairs

Running an aerial adventure course, whether it’s a ropes course, zipline, or adventure park, is a rewarding experience that fosters team-building, self-confidence, and fun. However, maintaining the course’s safety and quality is critical to ensuring a positive experience for participants. A key part of every manager's risk mitigation is the professional course inspection and having an informed understanding of the resulting reports—especially when it comes to budgeting for necessary repairs. Let’s walk through how to interpret your challenge course inspection and how to budget effectively for repairs.

Challenge Course IndustryNathan PfefferkornSeptember 26, 2024

The Unsung Hero of Summer Camps: Rope

Summer camps are a hub of activity, adventure, and learning. From team-building exercises to survival skills, every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity for campers to grow. One of the most versatile and essential tools in this environment is rope. It may seem simple, but rope is indispensable for camp staff, providing safety, support, and endless possibilities for creative activities

EducationNathan PfefferkornJuly 25, 2024

Operation Review – Why You Need One & 3 Steps to Prepare For Yours

As a course operator you’ve probably noticed that most accidents in our industry are no longer from equipment or structural failures, rather they’re a result of staff errors. Often these errors can be attributed to gaps in supervision, training, poor policies or a lack of following established protocols. One of the best ways to mitigate staff errors is by having a qualified person conduct an operation review of your program. There are three primary reasons why you should have an operation review:

Nathan PfefferkornJune 25, 2024

Important Safety Alert for TRUBLUE Auto Belay Devices

Stay informed and stay safe with Synergo! We're sharing a crucial update regarding certain TRUBLUE auto belay devices. Your safety matters to us, which is why we're highlighting the latest safety alert issued by Head Rush Technologies. Discover what steps you need to take to ensure the continued safety of your adventure experiences. Read on for essential details and proactive measures to keep your outdoor pursuits secure.

Nathan PfefferkornMay 14, 2024

PUMPKIN RIDGE ZIP TOUR RECEIVES ACCT OPERATION ACCREDITATION!

If you’ve ever visited an adventure tour or challenge course and wondered “who regulates these things” or, “I hope this is safe”

You’re not alone.

Nathan PfefferkornJuly 27, 2023

WELCOME TO THE SYNERGO STORE

Running a challenge course or commercial adventure tour is hard work! It’s like trying to sing, dance and direct all at the same time. Communicating with guests, managing staff, ensuring safety, marketing programs (often all at the same time) the last thing you have time to do is research the newest developments in harness designs or consider alternative rescue systems.

But that’s where Synergo come in…

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE

Make your team bonding adventure a success with these essential dos and don'ts. From setting goals to bringing snacks, make the most of your experience and challenge yourself to try something new. Click here for expert tips.

Amy Watson – Synergo Program DirectorMay 12, 2023Pumkpkin

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

the demand for workers in various outdoor careers continues to grow. This need is being increasingly recognized by The higher education system, and many have begun offering programs in outdoor recreation, wilderness therapy, outdoor leadership and more. It’s no surprise that the Northwest has become a popular hub for these programs. With notably picturesque mountains and landscapes, this corner of the country serves as the perfect backdrop for outdoor recreation and education for their facilitators. With so many options, it can be hard to keep all the accredited college and university options sorted. So we did it for you!

HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR COURSE

Winterizing your ropes course is an essential step to ensure its longevity and safety. But how you do it depends on various factors, such as the severity of winter in your region, your operational season, course access, and equipment. In this blog post, we'll go over the steps you can take to winterize your ropes course properly, from ensuring all equipment is dry and stored correctly to inspecting your elements and updating your marketing plan. So, whether you're a seasoned ropes course operator or just getting started, read on to learn how to winterize your course like a pro.

PREVENTING BURNOUT IN THE CHALLENGE COURSE INDUSTRY

If you work in the challenge course industry, you may have experienced burnout at some point. Burnout is a long-term, internal source of exhaustion and apathy that can affect your job performance and safety. To prevent burnout, it's important to understand its signs and implement practices to address it. This blog post offers tips for both managers and employees, such as rotating job tasks, taking breaks, investing in education, and planning fun activities outside of work. By prioritizing employee well-being and safety, challenge course managers can create a positive work environment and maintain guest satisfaction.