Assessment of challenge course facilitators who are WAHPERD members on their preceived knowledge and skills in association with national certification

Abstract

In recent years certification standards for challenge course facilitators have been developed and discussed by experts in the challenge course industry. This study describes facilitators' perceptions of their skills and knowledge in accordance with national certification standards. Members of the Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (WAHPERD) who work on and/or facilitate a challenge course were surveyed in this study using an electronic survey based on national certification standards. Forty-one percent of facilitators in the study were not required to pass a written knowledge test when they received their challenge course training. It is only assumed that these individuals gained the necessary knowledge while attending the training. Considering the natural risk inherent in challenge course facilitation and participation, it is irresponsible to only assume individuals have the knowledge to minimize risk and keep participants safe.