A Level 1 Certification is designed for entry-level professionals. Minimal prior experience is required, often around 6 months or fewer of documented experience. Fundamental technical skills include knot tying, belaying, and performing pre-use inspections. Facilitation skills include group assessment, briefing, supervising and leading reflection exercises. This certification will last for 1 year.

A Level 2 Certification is for more experienced professionals, requiring 200+ hours of diverse documented experience. Candidates should have prior operational experience, often around a year or more. Technical skills include access climbing, advanced set up, maintenance, rescues and Emergency Action Plans. Facilitation skills dig deeper into briefing, sequencing, reflections and working with challenging groups. This certification will last for 3 years.

While the Level 1 and Level 2 course are meant to be progressive, the Course Manager training is designed to prepare trainees for the management and oversight of a challenge course, zip tour and/or aerial adventure course. Learning happens through direct training and facilitated discussions around topics such as inspections, risk management, PR/Marketing, staff management, ACCT standards and cultivating an intentional culture. This certification will last for 5 years.

• Must be 18+ years old

• Must attend all 40 hours of training held over 4 days

• Pass the testing which includes both a practical and written test. The written test requires a minimum score of 80% correct to pass.

Level 1 is a great opportunity to gain skills for those who have no previous training or facilitation experience, and for those who have only received site-specific training.

In training you will learn the foundation of how to operate and facilitate on a Challenge Course, including high and low elements.  Technical skills covered include set up and take down of elements, basic care and maintenance of the course, belaying, spotting and more.  “Soft” skills topics include group assessment, briefing, leading, reflection skills, and more.  The Level I training and certification will get you started as a facilitator and is a great steppingstone for a career in the Challenge Course Industry.  Level I training includes access climbing, however access climbing is not a skill required for certification.  Level I training does not cover skills like rescues or advanced inspections. Level I is generally a prerequisite for Level II and Course Manager Certification Trainings.

• Must be 18+ years old

• Completed a Level 1 Certification (or equivalent)

• Have 200 diverse documented facilitation hours (programs delivered).

• Must attend all 40 hours of training held over 4 days

• Pass the testing which includes both a practical and written test. The written test requires a minimum score of 80% correct to pass.

Level II is designed for those with experience as a Challenge Course Facilitator and will build on skills learned in previous trainings.  It is not suitable for those with no prior training or experience in challenge course work. We recommend at least a year of facilitation experience and prior training in access climbing as proficiency with access climbing and comfort at height will help with success at this level.

We will explore advanced technical and “soft” skills using hands-on practice and engaging classroom discussions adding more skills, techniques and knowledge to your facilitator “toolbox.”  Level II training technical skills include access climbing, advanced set up and maintenance of the course, the use of different types of equipment, rescues and carrying out an Emergency Action Plan.  This course will also explore deeper facilitation skills and prepare people for a supervisory role as a Lead Facilitator.  Soft skills topics dig deeper into briefing, sequencing, reflections and working with challenging groups.

• Must be 21+ years old

• Completed a Level 2 Certification (or equivalent)

• Have documented (in a portfolio) the required hours of program delivery for the area of the industry they work in, either:

  • Facilitated - 500 diverse facilitation hours, showcasing experience with different Challenge Course elements and group types.

  • Guided – 1,000 guide hours, which include direct guiding on Zip Tour, Canopy Tours.

  • Self-Guided (Monitored) – 1,000 monitor hours, which include direct experience monitoring Aerial Adventure Courses.

• Must attend all 30 hours of training held over 4 days

• Pass the testing which includes both a practical and written test. The written test requires a minimum score of 80% correct to pass.

The Course Manager Training is designed to prepare trainees for the management and oversight of a challenge course, zip tour and/or aerial adventure course. Trainees will gain information on and have opportunity for discussion around topics such as inspections, risk management, PR/Marketing, staff management, ACCT standards and cultivating an intentional culture.

We strongly recommend Course Manager candidates come to training with experience and knowledge of advanced technical skills, specifically accessing their course (access climbing or entering non-participant portions of the course). Accessing the course is a skill that will be used during training and testing, and therefore having proficiency in this skill prior to attending this training is critical for success.

This training aims to better prepare the trainee in management and oversight of a site—not the operation of specific elements. Training is spent in discussion, workshop and presentation style sessions where you’ll gain information on topics like:

• Insurance and Liability

• Inspections

• ACCT Standards and what’s new in the industry

• Gear and Equipment selection

• PR, Marketing and Media

• Risk Management

• Crisis Management

• Staffing including Training and Supervision

• Policies and Procedures Manuals and Operational Documents

• Mission, Ethics and Culture

Now! Registration is open up to 2 weeks prior to the training. If you are trying to register within the two week window give us a call and we’ll see if we can squeeze you in!

As part of the process we’ll send you a 50% deposit invoice, once paid, that deposit will secure your training spot(s).

Deposits are non-refundable unless Synergo cancels the training. Please note that certificates will only be issued once full payment has been received.

For trainings hosted at Camp Tilikum the best access is by car. We can help facilitate communication between attendees for organizing carpools - just let us know what you need!

For trainings at the Synergo office driving is also recommended but public transport from PDX is available.

For trainings hosted at Camp Tilikum we offer overnight accommodations for: $245 – 4 nights, assumes double occupancy. Additional nights may be available so please let us know if you’re interested. 

Camp Tilikum Room Details

For training at Synergo there are a number of hotel options available nearby.

Level I and Level II trainings include all meals with the training price as the training days are long and attending breakfast and dinners in particular help assist the flow of training.

Course Manager training includes daily lunches (5) and dinners on the training days (4), breakfast is on your own and we recommend bringing whatever snacks you need.

We are able to accommodate a number of dietary special needs so please let us know if you have any questions.