Programs

Our three-sided climbing tower offers seven different climbing areas that range from easy to difficult. Participants are able to choose the area that they feel will challenge them the most. Participants are often belayed by their own group members in a "team belay" increasing trust and support between team members. Our Climbing Tower is a "must do" when using our Adventure Challenge Course. Students as young as 8 years old can participate as long as they can properly be fitted into our harnesses by our trained facilitators.

The Giant's Ladder is the perfect combination of team building and high adventure. Participants are outfitted with climbing gear and rope. Two participants climb a 35-foot ladder of wooden rungs that get further apart and skinnier as they ascend the ladder. They must use one another for physical and moral support as they climb the very challenging element. The rest of the team manages the belay ropes as the two participants ascend and descend the ladder. It is truly an awesome display of total team participation, execution and trust.

The Leap of Faith is the ultimate challenge for any participant. After being outfitted into a full body harness and helmet, each participant will climb a telephone pole 35-feet into the air and stand on the edge of a platform staring out at a trapeze bar that seems too far to reach. With a lot of courage and effort, participants must jump and extend their arms in order to grab on to the trapeze bar or risk free falling 6-8 feet before the belay rope catches them and gently lowers them to the ground.

Our high ropes course has a custom design to fit the needs of the WLOEC both programmatically and aesthetically. Participants in 6th grade and higher can climb a 35-foot high cargo net to access the operations deck of the course. Participants can then choose from several routes to access 10 different challenges that spread throughout the course. To descend the course, participants are hooked to a trolley and cable where they "zip" down to their teammates. The high ropes course is a perfect activity for reaching goals such as supporting one another, facing adversity, accepting challenges, self-respect and self-esteem.

The Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center has over 150 ice-breakers, initiative games and team challenge activities that we can bring to you and your institution! Our portable programs are used by a wide variety of clients including schools, corporate and religious groups.

The portable team building program begins by having a conversation with the WLOEC Director to discuss the goals for your group. We want to know what you want us to accomplish with your group before we arrive. Based on the needs of your group, a custom agenda is designed to meet your goals. Communication, trust, working with new management, leadership skills, diversity and problem solving are just a few examples of the topics we can explore with your group.

We bring all of the materials to your facility. The only things you need to provide are the participants and space to execute the activities. Weather permitting, we love to use outdoor space when possible. If the weather is poor or outdoor space is at a premium; gymnasiums, classrooms, large board rooms and even hallways are all options we have used in the past.

Pricing

One facilitator is needed for every 15 participants.

Student Groups:

$240/hour/facilitator (2 hour minimum)

$100/hour/facilitator for each additional hour

Professional Development for Adult Groups:

$25/person (15 person and 2 hour minimum)

$10/person for each additional hour

Groups of 12-15 participants of any age participate in a variety of activities that will challenge the group both physically and mentally. These activities are a good fit for organizations who want to work on issues such as trust, team building and group bonding.

The Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center is ready to provide your school with an AWESOME Hands-On Family Science Night. Our Science Night is similar to an open house. Students and parents can arrive/depart at any time within the 1.5 hour time frame. Participants are able to travel around the room experimenting with any and all of the activities. The cost is $650 within a 25 miles radius of the WLOEC.

What the WLOEC will provide:

1. 20 (or more) hands-on science Activities where students are able to experiment, investigate and observe scientific wonders. Students will get a chance to experience activities in all three major scientific realms: physical science, earth science and life science.
2. Science activities that are age appropriate for K-6.
3. All of our science activities meet Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE’s) for the State of Michigan. A copy of our activity summaries and the GLCE’s that are related to them are available.
4. Science kits that are completely stocked with all of the materials/information guides necessary to run the activity for the 1.5 hours.
5. We can serve up to 500 people with the 1.5 hour time frame. We have the ability to work with larger groups if needed.
6. Two WLOEC staff members will arrive 1 hour before the start of the program. The staff members will set up activities then train the volunteers 30 minutes before the event begins. (Please have the tables ready)!
7. Two WLOEC staff members will stay throughout the duration of the event. They will be there to answer questions, supply additional materials, guide volunteers, and to assist in the cleaning up after the event.

What YOUR school will provide:

1. VOLUNTEERS… 20 or more volunteers. It is always better to have more than not enough! The volunteers can be parents, teachers, NHS students, etc. They must be responsible and mature enough to work with the students and the materials appropriately.
2. Volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes early for their “training” session. The WLOEC staff will train each volunteer to run 1 activity for Science Night.
3. Volunteers need to be prepared to stay for 15-20 minutes after the program to help clean up their activity.
4. 20 (6-8 feet) tables. These tables need to be set up in a large area (gymnasium, cafeteria, etc.) BEFORE our staff arrives.
5. Access to water and some type of sink/drain. Custodial closets work well.
6. Access to 2-3 electrical outlets.
7. A lot of kids and parents who want to have fun learning about science!! 

YOUR DATE

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

-There must be a minimum of 20 volunteers for Science Night. 1 volunteer is needed to run each of the 20 Science Stations. Having more than 20 volunteers is always a bonus! 

-Volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes early for their "training" session.

-The Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center Staff will train each volunteer to run 1 activity for the Science Night. Volunteers must be prepared to stay 15-20 minutes after the program to help clean up the activities (8:15-8:20).

-Volunteers must be prepared to spend the ENTIRE time at their assigned station unless you are splitting shifts between volunteers. Stations without volunteers will be closed down (safety comes first!). 

-Please confirm with volunteers 1-2 days before the event.

-We will need at least 20 (6-8 feet) long tables. These tables need to be set up in a large (gymnasium, cafeteria, etc.) BEFORE our staff arrives.

-We will need access to water and some type of a sink/drain. Custodial closets work well.

-We will need a mop and mop bucket. 

-We will need access to 2-3 electrical outlets.

-We will need 2-3 trash cans. 

*Advertise Science Night. Place information on your school website, Facebook or send a school-wide email. Send home flyers. Have teachers talk to students about it during class!

Your school can choose 10-20 kits (depending on your event) from the activities that are listed below. If you have further questions about the activities, our staff will be happy to guide you and provide more details about any of the hands-on science kits.

The Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center is ready to provide your school with an AWESOME hands-on science experience. Our Science Exploration Stations are similar to science centers. Your school can decide if the students rotate through stations or if they travel around the room experimenting with their desired activities at their own pace. 

We are willing to help design an event that works best for your school. We will work with you to determine the number of activities, the length of time and the price based on your expectations and the number of students. (Events range from 10-20 kits and cost $450-$1000).

What the WLOEC will provide:

1. 10-20 hands-on science activities where students are able to experiment/investigate/observe scientific wonders. Students will get a chance to experience Science Activities in all 3 major scientific realms: Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science.
2. Science activities that are age appropriate for grades kindergarten- 6th grade.
3. All of our science activities meet Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE’s) for the State of Michigan. A copy of our activity summaries and the GLCE’s that are related to them are available if you desire to see them.
4. Science Kits that are completely stocked with all of the materials/information guides necessary to run the activities for the allotted time frame.
5. We are flexible with the time frame depending on your school’s needs.
6. Two WLOEC staff members will arrive 1 hour before the start of the program. The staff members will set up activities then train the volunteers 30minutes before the event begins. (Please have the tables ready)!
7. Two WLOEC staff members will stay throughout the duration of the event. They will be there to answer questions, supply additional materials, guide volunteers, and to assist in the cleaning up after the event.

What YOUR school will provide:

1. VOLUNTEERS…10-20 or more volunteers (depending on the number of activities and the time frame of the event). It is always better to have more than not enough! The volunteers can be parents, teachers, NHS students, etc. They must be responsible and mature enough to work with the students and the materials appropriately.
2. Volunteers need to arrive 30 minutes early for their “training” session. The WLOEC staff will train each volunteer to run 1 activity for Science Night.
3. Volunteers need to be prepared to stay for 15-20 minutes after the program to help clean up their activity.
4. 10-20 (6-8 feet) tables (one per science kit). These tables need to be set up in a large area (gymnasium, cafeteria, etc) BEFORE our staff arrives.
5. Access to water and some type of sink/drain. Custodial closets work well.
6. Access to 2-3 electrical outlets.
7. A lot of kids and parents who want to have fun learning about science!!