RESEARCH:

We have found the following research benefits challenge course participants in the following ways

• In a study by Goldenberg, Klenosky, O’Leary and Templin (2000) it was found that participants in a challenge course program reaped the following benefits.
  • Higher levels of trust, teamwork and communication post program
  • Participants reported being more effective, efficient and having the ability to build stronger relationships with others
  • Increased self-fulfillment, sense of accomplishment and enjoyment of life.
• A study by Smith and Priest (in press) found that there was a 21-41% gain in teamwork as a result of a corporate adventure-training program (as measured on the Team Development Inventory Scale).
• According to Priest (in press) after a 2 year period of study, which one of those years was a corporate adventure training program for all employees with no other training or development schemes, the company being studied transformed from an autocratic bureaucracy dominated by rules to a more empowered and team oriented environment where people were valued
• Owen (1990) found in a study of a financial companies sales force that after an experiential ropes course training program there was significant post training increases in group supportiveness and group image as well as a decline in within-group conflicts.
• It has been noted that experiential learning approaches are more memorable than traditional methods, and instill skills knowledge and behaviors that remain with participants long after training is completed (Akande, 1992).