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Tree climbing facilitators are people who have been extensively trained to run beginners' treeclimbing events. In many cases, people enroll in the TCI Facilitator Program in order to open their own tree climbing "groves," or schools. Facilitators lead all different types of group events. They set up the climbing tree with multiple climbing stations, orient the group and give a climbing demonstration, and then help others to experience the joys of tree climbing for themselves.
 Becoming a facilitator requires expertise in basic tree climbing techniques. It also takes patience, skill, and experience to safely manage lots of people in a tree at the same time. In the TCI Facilitator Course, the first component of our Facilitator Program, students learn how to work with individuals and groups to run safe tree climbing events. They also learn and practice detailed rescue procedures with "Rescue Randy," our rescue dummy. Facilitator Course students must pass a climbing skills test and a written exam before they can enter the Facilitator Internship, the second component of our Program.
During the Facilitator Internship, students gain experience as Facilitators while still under the guidelines of Tree Climbers International. This way, when they finish their requirements and graduate from our program, we know that they are well-prepared and ready to put others "on rope" on their own.
See photos from this class
After they pass written and practical exams (including running at least one tree-climbing event with their instructor), students enter the Facilitator Internship, during which time they develop climbing expertise and experience in running tree-climbing events. Students are mentored by tree climbing master instructors during their Internship.
Completion of the TCI Facilitator Program does not qualify facilitators to teach basic tree climbing technique. Teaching the BTCC requires more extensive training and a higher level of skill and experience than people at the Facilitator level generally have acquired. Training to teach the BTCC is available in the TCI Instructor Program.
In Georgia, TCI-approved Facilitator Programs are taught by Peter Jenkins of TCI, Genevieve Summers of Dancing With Trees and Abe Winters of Tree Climbing USA. In Oregon, the TCI Facilitator Program is taught by Tim Kovar at Tree Climbing Northwest at New Tribe . All four Facilitator Program instructors are TCI-certified Master Instructors and each has been instrumental in the development of the TCI Facilitator Program.
Program requirements: Approved personal climbing gear, the Basic Tree Climbing Course (or an instructor-approved equivalent), and lots of climbing experience are among other course prerequisites. Please call or write instructors for details and pricing.
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