All our programs are built upon the adventure based experiential learning model: Learning by doing. Research shows information that is experienced, used, repeated through action learning and reflected upon, has up to a 90 % retention rate. 

Experiential learning allows participant to hear, see, and use information all at the same time. Additionally, children are able to experience these concepts in a context that is relevant to their school and home environment. 

Our work begins before participants arrive. 

We strongly believe that the success of our program is built on a foundation of understanding youth needs. The program begins even before participants arrive with a needs assessment to identify the client’s specific goals for the experiences. 

Based upon the client's goals and objectives we structure a series of activities that may include games, problem-solving initiatives, trust building experiences, and challenge course elements.

Adventure based program objectives 

• To inspire a positive attitude in our youth by challenging them with attainable goals and by exposing them to legitimate means of achieving them.  
  
• To provide the participant with opportunities that channels their energies into efforts that benefit themselves, their school and communities.  
  
• To increase the participants’ sense of personal confidence.  
  
• To develop an increased joy in one’s physical self and in being with others.  
  
• To provide many opportunities for participants to solve progressive complex problems in a positive learning environment.  
  
• To develop an increased familiarity and identification with the natural world.  
  
• To increase mutual support within a team.

Team Initiatives 

The team initiatives are experiential activities that involve all members of a team to reach a certain goal. The facilitator defines the guidelines, but the team must find its own unique way to solve the problem and follow through within those guidelines. The initiatives do not require a great deal of physical strength or stamina. They are designed so that people of all shapes, sizes, and development can be included. 

There are hundreds of variations of team initiatives. We choose the most appropriate activities that meet the client’s specific needs and the composition of their particular group. 

Issues that are explored during these initiatives and commonly found in the team building process are:

Processing – Brings insights and understanding

The most important part of the Challenge Initiatives is the processing period following each activity. There is a discussion led by a facilitator as the group critiques the team’s task and process behaviors, and examines what they learned about themselves and their team. 

It is in the processing stage that the Challenge Initiatives are related to the team’s real-life experiences. The facilitators guide the discussion, but the greatest learning occurs as the team draws its own analogies between the activity and "real-life". Team members learn more about their teammates’ different learning , communication, and problem solving, during each activity. It is diversity within the team that is examined during the processing. We believe it is through the combining of the diverse gifts of each of its members that the team is able to succeed.

The processing of the Challenge Initiatives is what transforms the team’s experience from just a “fun day” to a day of growth, development, and understanding. The ideas and issues, which are examined during the processing, are the concepts that transfer back to school, workplace and home. It is the facilitator’s task to guide the discussion to include all of the topics. Expressed during the “needs” assessment. Team members should be able to use the new knowledge about themselves and their teammates to work more effectively together when they return to their work, school and home environments. 

Challenge by Choice 

It is important for individuals to be able to say at the end of the day’s activities that they challenged themselves in at least one way. Challenge means going beyond the old, pushing into new territory, and new ways of doing things, dealing with fear, and accepting help and support. At the same time there is opportunity for growth there is also the possibility of failure and losing face among peers. Since a wholesome environment for growth is of primary concern participants are allowed to pick and choose for themselves what they wish to try.

Challenge by choice offers a participant: 

• The chance to try a potentially difficult and/or frightening challenge in an atmosphere of support and caring.  
  
• The opportunity to “back off” when performance pressures or self-doubt become too strong, knowing that an opportunity for a future attempt will always be available.  
  
• The chance to try difficult tasks, recognizing that the attempt is more significant than performance results.  
  
• Respect for individual ideas and choices.

Code of Conduct: 

The primary concern in all of CNW’s adventure based programs is to provide a wholesome and safe environment for each individual and group involved. In order to achieve this goal participants are asked to make three commitments at the beginning of the session. These commitments form what is called the Code of Conduct and include the following: 

• Agreement to work together as a group and to work toward individual and group goals.
  
• Agreement to adhere to certain safety and group behavior guidelines.
  
• Agreement to give and receive feedback, both positive and negative, and to work toward changing behavior when it is appropriate.