Analysis of training protocols for challenge course instructors

Abstract

Challenge course (CC) instructors (N = 29) were surveyed to determine time allotments for teaching 29 basic CC facilitator competencies. The primary purpose of the study was to identify teaching times of CC instructors. The secondary purpose was to identify a rank order presentation of adventure activities. A questionnaire was used to acquire data pertaining to CC facilitation. The questions asked instructors to record teaching times of 29 predefined competencies and total program training times. Results indicated a mean total training time of x = 45.5 hours (+ 15.2). The mean time and standard deviation of the 29 competencies were generated. The top 10 competencies reported to take the greatest average amount of teaching time were identified. Questions were posed to determine the sequencing of adventure activities within a CC facilitator training program. It was reported that the presentation order of adventure activities in a program was consistent with research done in 1997 regarding presentation order of adventure activities.