About Northern Lights Challenge and Leadership

At Northern Lights Challenge and Leadership, we seek to develop and harness the human desire to climb, learn and lead as a means of growth in confidence, achievement, teamwork, trust, leadership ability, communication, self-efficacy and self discovery.

Northern Lights Challenge and Leadership is a universally accessible, world-class team building and leadership facility serving families, companies, students, athletes and people of all ages and abilities.

The medium is our outdoor high and low element team challenge course, dual 450 foot zip wires and our outdoor rock and ice climbing walls located at the Inn at Essex Resort in Essex Junction, Vermont. The means are our expert instructors and facilitators working with families, individuals, and groups to craft your learning experience.

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Our Philosophy

CLIMB • LEARN • LEAD

The Experiential Learning Cycle

These words mean a sound progression through the experiential learning cycle that involves challenging yourself and your team, gaining confidence and ultimately growing in self and group efficacy. Our staff Educators and Facilitators are trained in all aspects of climbing, adventure and experiential learning as well as Team Building and Leadership.

C – Challenge yourself to be the best you can be.
L – Leap of faith and learn to fly.
I– Involve yourself with intensity.
M – Mind, body and soul
B – Be aware of who you are and who you want to be.

L – Learn your goals with tenacity.
E – Everything counts when learning.
A – Ability level doesn’t matter.
R – Redirect your life with strength.
N – New beginnings found from within you.

L – Lasting changes grow into confidence.
E – Earn respect for yourself and others.
A – Alter your perspective that gives you inner peace.
D – Direction, motivation and the ability to get there.

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Mission

Provide a universally accessible outdoor challenge course, rock and ice climbing, recreation, team building and leadership development serving families, companies, students, athletes and people of all ages and abilities.

Vision

Vision: NLRI seeks to empower individuals and groups through experiential learning.

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Our Team

Chris Bacon - Chief Executive Officer

Chris, of Essex, Vermont brings 15 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience as the owner and managing partner of BottomLine Professional Services of Phoenix, Arizona. Chris will provide the essential administrative and financial oversight to make this project successful.

Frank Hassler - General Manager

Frank brings his years of experience as Ropes Course Director, Facilitator, Instructor and Outdoor Guide with Petra Cliffs Climbing Center and Mountaineering School, Burlington, Vermont to manage the course, programs and staff.

Dave Orgrodowczyk - Corporate Program Director

Dave "O" has his Masters Degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and holds a B.S. Degree in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire. Dave directed The University of Missouri's Challenge Course and associated programming(Venture Out) for the past six years. Dave's passion besides playing bluegrass music on the mandolin is designing experiential programs for adult learners.

Corey Shuman - Program Director

Corey is an invaluable asset to our staff as he brings his many years of experience working at YMCA camps in New York State and Hawaii on challenge courses very similar to ours at Northern Lights Rock and Ice. In addition Corey has worked as a challenge course builder.

Bob Timmer - Climbing Director

Bob has over 20 years of rock and ice climbing experience as an Instructor for the Army’s Mountain Warfare School in Jericho, Vermont. He is a local legend ice climber and an American Mountain Guides Association Certified Rock Instructor. Bob is the Director of our rock and ice climbing instruction, programs and guiding.

Mike Anderson - Director of Training and Program Development

Mike is owner of the Petra Cliffs Group Burlington, Vermont and will bring his years of teambuilding experience to the design, construction and management of this Challenge Course. As a published teambuilding author, Mike brings the creativity and experience necessary to offer cutting edge teambuilding programs.

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Our Affiliates

  © 2007 Northern Lights Rock and Ice | Essex, Vermont USA