NWCCN follows the Unconference Model which allows attendees to decide on the workshops and discussion models. Each year offers different workshops and workshops aren’t finalized until the first night of the conference. Below are summaries of workshops from past conferences.
Games Co-op
A time to play! Learn new games from other facilitators and broaden your collection of games. learn propless games and how you can build a bag of tricks with supplies from the dollar store.
Course Manager Roundtable
This is an opportunity for Course Managers to meet up and chat about their experience over the last year—good learning moments, unexpected surprises, discoveries that have made your life easier, and/or issues that you would like help problem-solving (or commiserating about!).
Rescues 201
This workshop explored the ‘Myths of rescues’, Questions a Course Manager (or rescue curious Practitioner) should ask and answer about rescues on their course, and documentation organizations should keep related to rescues. We also discussed key things to consider including when and how to practice, what type of system is needed and whether a site has the Qualified Person to do this work or if they need outside help. Time was spent on a low portion of the course briefly introducing some rescue systems and answering questions from the workshop attendees.
Debrief and Beyond: Using the VARK Modalities to Connect Learning
Debriefing is a critical component of experiential learning and being able to have a toolbelt filled with resources to meet the learning needs of your participants is just as critical. During this workshop we discussed what how we can use the VARK Modalities to meet the learning needs of our participants by workshopping new and updating our classic debriefs using visual, auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic and multimodal approaches.
Tuckman’s Theory of Group Development
You may have heard about Tuckman's Theory during course trainings: in this workshop we will go a little deeper into how this theory shows up in your groups, staff, and other programming scenarios.
Towards vs Away Moves: Facilitating choice, compassion, and change through what matters most
Often motivation and choice is fueled by familiarity or comfort. Using tools from a counseling approach called ACT, facilitators and participants can learn strategies to choose intentionally towards larger purpose, while making space for the discomfort of the journey.
Adaptive & Accessible Equipment
Workshop discussed people-first facilitation, making all options available to all individuals of the group, and ideally, designing the elements with adaptability in mind. We discussed both lows and highs, the latter focusing on ascending, transfers, and descends. We looked at some equipment, like 4:1s, snap shackles, and Skyline and Misty Mountain harnesses. Lastly, a more diverse staff allows for more diverse programming. We referred to the ACCT Essential Functions (last available in the 8th edition standards).
Creating New Programs and Teambuilding Products
This interactive workshop is designed to equip you with the tools and strategies necessary to create effective processes for the development of new programs and team-building products. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, our time together will provide valuable insights into the process of program development. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and contribute more effectively to your organization’s success!
Experiential Strategies for Nervous System Regulation
In this workshop participants will learn about the sequential nature of the brain and nervous system and why experiential, somatic (body-based), and relational practices are crucial to opening up participants' capacity for learning. We will explore the phenomenon of co-regulation and the ways that our nervous systems play off of one another: for better or for worse! This session will include content exploration and discussion, as well as individual and group activities that can be used to regulate ourselves as facilitators and that we might use with participants.
Ask the Question ~ Close the Loop (Debriefing Skills)
The Debrief is often the most valuable part of a program. It provides the “now what” or apply portion of the experience. Considering the skills or characteristics of an activity, Shared Leadership, Requires Focus, “Self-Introduction/Vulnerability”, Etc. Then pick activities and pre-determined questions that are focused on those characteristics. This will allow participants to focus on actions they can apply to their lives.
How’d You Get Up There?
This session was intended for those with existing access climbing training & experience. It was look at high element access equipment beyond the traditional cable grabbers and lobster claws for the purpose of inspection/maintenance. Demonstrations included enhanced positioning equipment, options for traversing horizontal cables with ease, and self-belayed rope ascension.
Teambuilding in the Air
In this workshop we will have the chance to get out onto Camp Collins’ Adventure Course and explore the exciting potential of using adventure parks as facilitation and team-building tools.