Uniting Venues recently launched Rise Above – an outdoor education program developed to promote team building, resilience, wellbeing and leadership amongst participants.
The program can be added to Uniting Venue’s accommodation package, providing groups – usually high schools – with the opportunity to participate in the program.
“In the past we’ve been an accommodation and meeting space provider and we’ve added programmed activities to the options available,” says Michael McKertich, Operations Manager of Uniting Venues.
“The Rise Above program has been developed to link with the school curriculum and the activities can be tailored to fit with the requirements of the group – including age and abilities. It’s important to us that the Rise Above program is open and inclusive.”
The activities can include an Amazing Race-style competition, obstacle course or bush walks. Typically, the participants are grouped together in teams of 15 to 20 and the team members work together and compete against the other teams in a range of tailored activities.
The young people come out of the experience with tangible, positive learning outcomes. They are able to work with each other and learn as a team, while developing a better and more empathetic understanding other people’s abilities and skill
“While the program is relatively new, the feedback has been extremely positive,” says Michael. “With two fulltime program coordinators already onboard to develop group-specific and appropriate activities, we will be expanding Rise Above next year to provide Uniting Venue attendees with even better value and more opportunity to optimise their group’s stay with us.”
