TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

Staff Training and Certification

Our experienced and qualified trainers ensure your staff is equipped with the skills and certifications needed for exceptional programming, quality facilitation, and effective risk management. We provide training for any course type, tailoring our approach to meet your unique needs.

Training Services

Regular staff training is essential for maintaining quality programming and risk management. Many insurance providers require annual training conducted by an ACCT International Accredited Vendor like CDI. Our qualified trainers bring hundreds of hours of hands-on experience, combining expertise with a friendly, patient teaching approach that accommodates diverse learning styles. We offer customized courses and the following core training formats:

  • Initial Facilitator Training
  • Advanced Skills Workshops
  • Games and Initiatives Training
  • Universal Training
  • Review & Skills Assessments
  • Practitioner Certification Review Trainings
  • Annual Staff Training

CDI training is tailored to your program's specific details, including:

  • Course type
  • Belay system
  • Local operating procedures
  • Group size
  • Staff experience level
  • Program and individual goals

After training, we provide a detailed summary report, including the training agenda, skills assessment worksheets, and notes on individual performance, ensuring actionable feedback for your team.

Industry-Leading Training Resources

CDI draws upon a variety of resources including, The Complete Ropes Course Manual (4th Edition), was co-authored by CDI founders Jim Wall and Catherine Tait, alongside industry pioneers Karl Rohnke and Don Rogers. This comprehensive guide is a standard curriculum for colleges and universities nationwide and is available for purchase through our gear and equipment division, High Country Hardware.

University of Iowa Challenge Course

Become a Certified Professional in Challenge Course Facilitation

Since 2007, the Challenge Course Practitioner Certification (CCPC) standards, developed by the ACCT International, have set the bar for professionalism in the challenge course industry. These certifications establish a common framework for assessing facilitator skills, consistency, and excellence in challenge course operations.

We are proud to be an ACCT International accredited vendor offering certification at all levels.

Why Get Certified?

Practitioner Certifications are more than a basic certificate-of-training. These are rigorous programs that combine hands-on assessments and written evaluations to ensure facilitators meet industry-recognized standards. Certification demonstrates your ability to:

  • Operate safely and confidently in a variety of challenge course environments.
  • Master the technical skills required to lead activities effectively.
  • Build trust and engagement with participants while upholding industry best practices.

Certification Categories

CDI offers certifications tailored to different roles, course types, and belay systems:

1. Experience Level:

  • Level I: Entry-level certification for new facilitators.
  • Level II: Advanced certification for experienced facilitators.
  • Challenge Course Manager: Comprehensive certification for those overseeing course operations and staff.

2. Course Type:

  • Low Course: Ground-level activities emphasizing team-building.
  • High Course: Elevated activities requiring advanced technical skills.
  • Full Course (Low & High): Comprehensive certification for facilitators working on both course types.
  • Site or System-Specific: Certification tailored to unique course setups.

3. Belay Systems:

  • Static Belay: Systems with fixed safety lines for participants.
  • Dynamic Belay: Systems requiring active management during activities.

4. Specialty Events:

  • Unique certifications for specialty elements such as:
    • Giant Swing
    • Swing by Choice
    • Vertical Playpen
    • Zip Lines

Flexible Certification Options

We work closely with our clients to schedule certification tests that meet your needs. Most testing is conducted directly at your facility, ensuring the process is convenient and tailored to your team.

Why Choose CDI?

  • Experienced, accredited trainers with a proven track record
  • Flexible, on-site training tailored to your needs
  • Commitment to safety, education, and risk management
  • Expertise in training for both CDI-built and courses built by other companies

Contact Us

Ready to enhance your program’s safety and effectiveness?

Call us today for more information and pricing on our training services. Let CDI help your team operate with confidence and professionalism.