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.

The Association for Challenge Course Technology has for years provided the industry with relevant standards for course construction and more recently for operations. The most recent version of the standards calls for organizations to have an “operations review” completed by a qualified entity at least once every five years. These are typically done by a “Professional Vendor Member” or PVM and look at not only course construction/condition but do a deep dive into the operations documentation, training practices, staffing and more to see if the course aligns with standards. A good review also takes into account what the public experiences, what staff actually do, and what management says they do to ensure that guests, staff and leaders all line up with one another. Knowing if the course you’re visiting has had an operations review recently is a great way to assess how seriously they take safety and compliance with the standards.

Currently there are only a handful of organizations that have completed this rigorous review process and have received accreditation.

Going above and beyond the operations review provided by a PVM, some organizations have chosen to pursue becoming an ACCT Accredited Operator. The ACCT website describes Operation Accreditation as:

“...organizations that serve the general public through a commitment to quality, professional conduct/business practices, and ongoing use and adherence to industry standards…The process includes a review by qualified parties which determines an applicant’s adherence to ACCT Accreditation Policies and Procedures and its commitment to ACCT Standards. Successful completion of this process distinguishes an Accredited Operator from other challenge course programs and operations, identifying the Accredited Operator as having been found to be highly experienced and competent.”

Currently there are only a handful of organizations that have completed this rigorous review process and have received accreditation. We’re very pleased to announce that our very own Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour was recently awarded accreditation! Going through the process of being reviewed by a highly knowledgeable independent reviewer illustrated areas for improvement and provided additional context on how other organizations operate and comply with the standards.

“We’re very pleased to announce that our very own Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour was recently awarded accreditation!”

Synergo highly recommends (in fact it’s required!) that organizations schedule an operations review with their PVM if they haven’t already done so within the last five years. Of course we can help with that too - and if you’re interested in pursuing ACCT Operations Accreditation a PVM provided operations review is a great way to start!