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We believe that people learn and develop most effectively by actively doing or experiencing in a milieu that is motivating, challenging and exciting. Risk is normal in the daily lives of all human beings and is essential to our learning. Challenge Course & Climbing Wall Adventure programs enable individuals and groups to challenge themselves and take risks that are cognitive, emotional, physical, social or spiritual in nature. We believe that self-directed challenges and risks become opportunities for learning and personal growth.
We believe that challenge course and climbing wall adventure programs are one of the most effective means of developing and enhancing individual and group self-esteem; trust; risk taking; social competence including communication and problem solving skills; mutual support; teamwork; and leadership skills. We believe that learning and growth is holistic and integrated.
We value challenge course and climbing wall adventure programs as a tool for learning and growth in recreational, educational, therapeutic and training & development environments. We seek excellence in all that we do to create and support the facilitation of these adventure programs. We value our relationships with our clients and this value is at the core of all the work that we do. The trust that our clients have in the quality and integrity of our work, drives us to continually seek excellence in providing leading edge adventure program services.
Challenges Unlimited Inc. is an experiential adventure learning & development consulting company founded in 1989, on a strong bedrock of professionalism and expertise. Our founders are Andrew Hubert and Sarah Oosterhuis.
The staff team at CUI is comprised of people with educational and experience backgrounds that have specialized in the use of experiential adventure. Each person on our team brings an eclectic background of skills that facilitates working with clients that are using adventure programs either recreationally, educationally, therapeutically or for training and development.
Andrew HubertB.A., B.Ed., Dip. C.S. (graduate diploma in assessment and counselling)Andrew is a partner in CUI. Andrew brings a unique background that combines training and experience as a classroom teacher, psychotherapist, cognitive rehabilitation therapist, wilderness instructor and professional development trainer. Andrew has considerable background experience with experiential adventure programming and facilitation. At the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School, Andrew facilitated courses for youth, adults and corporate groups. Experiential adventure education was also an integral part of Andrew's teaching, in both regular and special education classes in the Durham Board of Education. Andrew has been a professional member of the international challenge course community for the past 16 years. Through CUI's involvement with the Association For Challenge Course Technology, Andrew worked as a core member of the writing committee for the Operations Standards and was co-chair of the Operation Standards rewriting committee. Andrew served as a member of the Board of Directors from January 1997 to January 2007 and was a member of the ACCT Government Relations Committee. Andrew was the 2007 ACCT Critical Link Award recipient. This award is given to a member of ACCT whose contributions over the years have been seen as significant in the development, maintenance and growth of the organization, and to an individual who has acted as a LINK to activities and people within the organization, as well as to organizations, people and activities outside of ACCT. A core value integrated into Andrew's program facility design and training is for all participants to be included in and experience learning edge experiences. To this end, CUI has designed courses across Canada that incorporate accessible, universal and standard design; and trained staff to facilitate these experiences. |
Sarah OosterhuisB.A./B.Ed., M.S.W.Sarah is a partner in CUI. Prior to full time involvement with CUI, she worked as a psychotherapist in several mental health centers and developed and directed an adventure therapy residential treatment and adventure therapy training program for four years. As Director of Training, Sarah is responsible for assessing and custom designing training programs for clients utilizing adventure programming with children; adolescents; youth at risk; community mental health populations; adults and human resource groups. She has more than sixteen years of experience delivering training programs that focus on group process and facilitation skills; technical skills and risk management skills. Sarah's passion in training is for participants to fully develop and challenge their skill levels so that they may facilitate powerful learning and change experiences for their clients. Previous committee work includes Co-Chair of the Ontario Camping Association Special Needs Resource Committee; Chair of the Annual Conference for the Association for Challenge Course Technology; and member of the Implementation Task Force for the ACCT Certification Standards. When not at work, she and Andrew are involved in a training experience of their own on the meaning of life and having fun, co-facilitated by their 11 & 12 year old daughters! |
Michael BryantA graduate of York University with a B.A. in Geography and Physical Education, Michael 's love of the outdoors began at a young age spending every summer at his family cottage in the Kawarthas. In his teen years, Michael was introduced to the idea of leadership in the outdoors through Ontario Pioneer Camps, where he later returned to work as an outdoor educator. Following this time, Michael worked for 20 years in the Haliburton area, giving leadership and direction in developing adventure based learning in a program designed for post secondary students at Medeba Adventure Learning Centre. Michael's first encounter with CUI was 18 years ago upon meeting Andrew and Sarah and assisting in a high ropes course installation at Medeba. His relationship as friends continued throughout the years until he officially joined the CUI team in the fall of 2008 bringing along his well seasoned skills of facilitation and teaching. Outside of CUI, Michael participates in many outdoor sports. His love for the outdoors has taken him back country skiing in the Gaspe Peninsula, rock-climbing in Arizona, kayaking in North Carolina, ice climbing in the Adirondacks and canoeing in the Florida Everglades. He has also spent three months volunteer teaching in Bogotá, Colombia. Michael also loves to spend his time with his wife Pamela and their grown children. |
Jeff MannH.B.O.R., B.A.Jeff is a graduate of Lakehead University with majors in history and outdoor recreation. Jeff got challenge courses in his blood at an early age! His first exposure was at age 12 and by age 17 he was a facilitator on the CUI-built course at Camp Ponacka. Years of experience in Ontario summer camps, and many summers of running youth work experience programs for federal and provincial governments have helped to shape Jeff into a patient, understanding teacher. Jeff's belief that "calm is contagious" is apparent in his facilitation style. Jeff is an integral team member providing installation, inspection and training services. Prior to joining CUI, Jeff's building experience included working as a tree faller; installation of utilities; and framing. When not working Jeff can be found with friends skiing, climbing, creating and dreaming. |
Dave HumphrysAfter attending Algonquin College studying Electronic Engineering Technology, Dave joined the CUI team starting in May 2005. Prior to arriving at CUI, Dave spent his springs and summers working at Camp Opemikon. Dave had multiple roles with Opemikon including both facilitating and managing the CUI built challenge course. Dave brings to CUI a strong technical knowledge gained through his passion for climbing. Additionally, Dave has worked for both the Gould Lake Outdoor Center and Outward Bound Canada as a wilderness instructor. The experience Dave has gained while instructing makes him a patient and thoughtful teacher. Dave is an integral team member providing installation, inspection and training services. Dave is also an active paddler and white water canoe instructor. When not working at CUI, he can often be found teaching white water canoeing or enjoying time with friends on the river. |
Mark DavisAs a graduate of Seneca College's Outdoor Recreation Technician Program, Mark began his professional career as the Program Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA Outdoor Centre. Here Mark trained staff and supervised low ropes, high ropes and climbing wall experiences for youth and corporate groups. Through leadership experiences with an inner city youth drop-in centre and working in a boys' residential treatment centre, Mark found his niche working with youth at risk. For the two years prior to joining CUI, Mark worked for the Peel District School board designing and facilitating adventure-based programs specifically aimed to develop social and problem solving skills for high school students who had been either expelled or suspended from school. Mark is an integral team member providing installation, inspection and training services. He believes that on a climbing wall or a challenge course, people's opportunity for growth is limitless provided they can open themselves to the experience. Mark harnesses his passion for the power of change offered by challenge courses to open his participants to learning and growth on an individual and group level. Outside of his work with CUI, Mark can be found enjoying the slopes and providing emergency first aid as a Canadian Ski Patroller. When not on the slopes, he also enjoys exploring the forests with his wife Angie and their uniquely talented canine beagle. |
Kevin French O.R.T.After completing three years at Trent University towards a degree in history, Kevin discovered that his passion in life to be a teacher needed to venture onto a slightly different path, an outdoor education path. That realization led him to Seneca College's Outdoor Recreation Technician program which he graduated from in 1996 with High Honors. His passion to use the outdoor experience to help individuals develop as people, improve their sense of self-worth and to help them realize their potential has landed him at Seneca College's Outdoor Centre where he has been since 1997. He is now the full-time Program Director for the Centre and King Day Camp. Throughout his whole life Kevin has lived, played and grown in the outdoors! As a trainer for CUI, Kevin brings a wealth of experience and skills to the CUI team. He has been successfully and safely managing one of the largest challenge course programs in southern Ontario since 1999 and has been a climber since 1992. As part of his portfolio Kevin maintains numerous provincial and national level instructor and instructor trainer certifications. Each year in his role as Program Director, Kevin trains, mentors and motivates over 100 staff to share in his passion for creating educational, inspirational and unique experiences for all participants who come to the centre. When he's not working with CUI or at Seneca you'll find Kevin floating on a river, riding single-track, sliding on snow or exploring with his two daughters. |
CUI specializes in designing, installing and providing support services for challenge course and climbing wall adventure programs.
CUI provides each client with a climbing wall, challenge course or individual elements designed and installed specifically for their program and participants' needs.
CUI offers creative, custom, universal designs and high quality workmanship.
CUI is an active Professional Vendor Member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology. A.C.C.T. is an international professional trade organization of designers, installers and trainers for challenge courses. This organization has created standards for the design, installation, inspection and training for challenge courses. In working with CUI you are assured that any work we do with you meets or exceeds the highest safety standards available.
At CUI we take pride in the quality of our workmanship. Our personalized service guides you through each step of the design, installation, programming, training, inspection and maintenance phases of your challenge course or climbing wall adventure program. We will meet the short and long term needs of your organization.
Our clients include summer camps, school boards, outdoor education centers, social service agencies and training and development companies. We would be pleased to provide you with our current list of business references.
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We strive to develop and maintain a working relationship with you where you are listened to; your needs are specifically met; and you can rely on dependable & friendly, professional service. |
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We are committed long term to our relationship with you through providing support services of training; inspection; consultation; maintenance; and equipment supply. |
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We value your feedback. |
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There are three key concepts that we focus on in designing and developing your adventure program: minimizing risks...learning...fun. |
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Our work is customized. We take great care to design & install your adventure program so that it reflects the specific needs of your organization and participants. |
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We design and install for multiple population use and multiple season use. We are able to incorporate universal design to provide experiences for virtually all participants. |
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Every design incorporates A.C.C.T. and industry wide accepted building practices and codes, as well as the highest quality materials. |
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We are invested in designing & installing your adventure program to have minimal environmental impact and to be aesthetically pleasing. |
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We recognize that each organization's short and long term needs, timing and budget are different. |
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We stand behind our workmanship for the installation of your climbing wall or challenge course for a one year period from the date of completion, for the normal use of your course. |
CUI is a Professional Vendor Member (PVM) of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (A.C.C.T.); a member of the Climbing Wall Association; and a commercial member of the Ontario Camping Association (O.C.A.), and the Alberta Camping Association (A.C.A.)
CUI team members actively participate in the annual conferences of these organizations through attending and presenting workshops.
CUI has made a commitment both financially and with volunteer time to the A.C.C.T. As a founding PVM, we prioritize our involvement with A.C.C.T. and view it as critical to our professional growth and accountability, and to providing industry leading service to our clients.
