Three years of programs and thousands of clients have reinforced one absolute to partners Tara-Lee Goerlitz and Beth Fredeen of NexLevelChallenge. People matter.
NexLevelChallenge is a recreation/program facility operating out of Dale Bradshaw's 320-acre ranch, located 11 kilometres west of Bowden. It has been in Freeden's family since 1927. The challenge course was built in March of 2011 and by summer that year NexLevelChallenge was hosting groups for retreats and programs.
“Since we first opened up three years ago,” said Goerlitz, “we have learned so much and changed the way we look at our programs.”
She added that while they still focus on helping business leaders and owners overcome challenges with their experiential team/leadership workshops they have added recreation-based programs.
“We have a ‘pay to play' element now which allows families, schools, and youth groups to come out and enjoy the facility,” said Goerlitz. “There have been family reunions out here, and everyone enjoys themselves on our ropes, equipment, and challenges. The best part of having families out is that if they have fun, they will tell everyone they climbed the high ropes, or conquered the wall.”
Goerlitz said they first added this option last summer and it has proven to be successful.
“NexLevelChallenge was originally based on our passion for working with kids to help them deal with bullying,” said Goerlitz. “We both realized that what people see as bullying is a symptom rather than the real problem. With our professional experience and expertise from our collaborators we try to help kids develop relationships in order to eliminate negative behaviours. People matter, and we teach that in every program, retreat and activity we do.”
Goerlitz has a good personal reason for working with Fredeen at NexLevelChallenge.
“I went through my own personal experiential program journey years ago and I left the program a different person who was more confident and determined,” said Goerlitz. “Having been through this myself, I know the value.”
The experiential leadership and team building industry has changed, added Goerlitz. Instead of offering programs that force people to whitewater raft, or climb high ropes when individuals have some kind of overwhelming fear we emphasize the power of choice, she said.
“Not everyone is capable of doing extreme feats under peer pressure,” said Goerlitz. “Even if someone is cajoled into the feat and they are encouraged by their co-workers for it, the experience often does not change them and can become negative for them. We don't want that but rather want our clients to grow at their own pace and change when they are ready. This is more about relationships than accomplishments.”
She added one of their pillars of success is setting goals.
“For some participants, even climbing a ladder two rungs is a victory while for others going through the whole challenge is their goal,” said Goerlitz. “People are different and we work with those differences.”
Goerlitz said she likes to see the impact on people going through their programs, whether in-house or onsite. She added their facility creates an experience that encourages conversation.
“When they start talking, we start listening and that is the beginning of our real work,” she said. “We enjoy what we do.”
For further information, contact Fredeen, founder and managing director of NexLevel Challenge, at 403-714-1550 or 1-866-840-2840. Those interested can also visit the company's website at www. nexlevelchallenge.com
