Universal Experiential Education through Aerial Adventures

AEE International Conference Pre-Conference Event

Universal Experiential Education through Aerial Adventures

Madison, Wisconsin | November 1 9am-4pm | $125

This engaging full-day pre-conference workshop will showcase active participation in an aerial adventure. Presenters will cover how to create an aerial adventure (challenge course, adventure park, zip line) program designed to include participants of all abilities. This will include program, course, training, and equipment design. Utilizing the philosophical underpinnings of developing a Universal Mindset and welcoming environment through the concept of Invitational Education will be a primary basis. This workshop is designed to expose participants to a different way of thinking when it comes to inclusion and accessibility. It will also more fully develop technical skills needed to work with people who may need additional equipment. Come prepared to dive deep into the accessibility world and come away with resources needed to assess your facility, course, and program. Though the focus of the workshop will apply to aerial adventures, much of the content can apply to other experiential education activities.

Presenters: Melanie Wills & Carla Hacker

Melanie has been working in the outdoor industry for years and is passionate about encouraging growth, independence, and recovery in a variety of populations. She loves discovering ways to make aerial adventures more accessible to anyone of any ability with her team at ESI, Inc.

Carla has been providing universally accessible programming in the field of experiential education for many years. As a trainer and accessibility specialist with ESI, Inc. she continues to develop and implement training curriculum and equipment design for full inclusion on challenge courses and ziplines.