EBL free training / Venue Location

[Steven R. Gustafson {EBL}]

Hello All-

EBL has already received 6 informal offers to host this training at
respective venues (East coast to West coast, Minnesota to Oklahoma) and 6
folks showing interest attending.  This is great news and shows that we
might be able to secure a venue sooner, rather than later.  So, here is
some more data on my thinking and hopes of what the final delivery would
look like.

I want this FREE training to be a politcial free, straight forward
training.  It is going to be all about keeping costs down, if not ZERO,
and getting participants solid information that will aid in their current
programs.

I, as I am sure you folks too, get requests daily for our services but we
as ropes course vendors, cost too much.  I will not debate that at this
time as I believe you get what you pay for.

So, I want EBL to host a FREE training for 15 folks.  The actual venue
location will get 2 of the slots, not counted towards the 15.  So, with
maybe 2 EBL trainers, 2 from the host venue, and the 15, the total number
to attend looks like 19 persons.

My expectations for a host venue would be the following:

Able to provide housing at cost or for free!
Meals at cost...for free here is not reasonable to ask.
Have a high and low course onsite that has already or has been receiving
third party annual inspections from an insured vendor(this is so I don't
get any surprises we we arrive :-)
If your site isn't choosen for what ever reason, please don't take it
personally.  Our decision will be based on cost, time of year we can offer
the training, your location to the mass of folks wanting to attend, your
location to an interstate or major airport for cheap fairs, etc.

How is EBL making money?
Please note that EBL is not going to charge a dime for these folks to
attend.  Our normal 40 hour ropes certification trainnig costs between
$350 - $450, depending on time of year and location.  Our facilitation
Train-The-Trainer costs $635.  So clearly, we are not making any money. 
I, as owner of EBL, just want to give back to the field that has been a
positive experience for me in my carrer.  With that spirit in mind, I want
all possible venues to think of the same reasons and do what you can to
help push this project forward.

I will not be asking for formal proposals, but a short e-mail outlining
what you can and cannot offer, time of year, etc., would help me greatly
in the decision.

For those looking to attend, please get me your information ASAP, ( as it
begins to look like there is high demand for this free training)

Since it looks like a good idea from the feedback thus far, I will create
a webpage that will be basic and contain the information to date.  I will
create it later this evening, so look for it by Monday at:
<www.ebl.org/free-training.html>


Thanks,
Steven
=============================
FREE TRAINING post below:
=============================
Hello List members- (please forward to whom you wish)

Okay, I have been accused of being unconventional in the past by starting
up two private sector scholarships, producing ropes course videos, and now
my third initiative.

Experience Based Learning, Inc. is proud to sponsor the first ever (that I
am aware) 5 day FREE training!  Yep, you heard me correctly.  I will host
a totally free, 40 hour training on what ever subject participants want to
learn, provided I have the information to teach :-).  I will focus either
on ropes course technical training or soft skills facilitation training or
a combination of both.  Or, I will open up the doors of EBL to answer
questions about business, trends, marketing, etc.....what ever!

Now, you are asking yourself, this is to good to be true...well, yes and
no.  Yes, it really is going to happen, but no, it is not open to just
anyone.

Why am I doing this?
This past year saw the fewest numbers of applications for our
scholarships.  I have been hearing about programs going out of business,
letting people go, or just not attending (what I view as critical) ropes
course trainings, refreshers, or the like.  So, I want to do something
about it.

Who can attend?
15 persons.  New to the field.  With college degrees, and all the other
qualifications to apply for one of our training scholarships.
Additionally, you must currently be employed to attend, that way the
knowledge and skills gained will benefit the organization allowing to you
attend.  You will need to send in a letter of intent serving as your
application, resume, a letter from your supervisor as to why this
opportunity is so important to your organization, specifics on what you
want to learn (as this will direct the agenda that would get drafted), a
clear purpose statement of how you will integrate the information into
your current employment responsibilities, and finally, what makes you the
best applicant for one of the 15 open spots.  Unlike our scholarships, you
do not have to be a US citizen to attend, however, English will be the
primary language spoken.

What's covered?
EBL will cover the trainer fees, handouts, and ropes course fees, etc.
You just just get yourself here and cover your meals.  I will front an
additional $500 to help offset lodging fees for as many folks as possible.
 Tent camping will be allowed.  This is all about information gathering
and not about profit or lodging fees.

When?
Since camping is an option, I want to pick somewhat warm dates.  Right now
I am thinking April in Indiana.  I don't want to set the exact location or
dates yet as I want to see what works for folks that submit applications.
SO, please include your preferred dates and your travel distance range.

Where?
I don't have a location chosen just yet.  Yes, I could do any one of our
EBL locations, but I would like to open this up to any organization that
would like to host this event.  If we had a sponsor in a warm climate,
then we could offer the free training sooner.  But, not before February
15, 2003.  I want to allow for some time for applications, let people make
travel arrangements, and have some time to get me their information.

So what is the event called?
I don't have a name.  It is like nothing else I have ever offered or seen
offered.  It's like a thinktank, but more.  It's like a training, but
more.  It's like a conference but more.  It's like networking, but more.
I guess I am open to new names or titles that folks would like to suggest.

What's not cover?
EBL will not cover specific topics or information about how we do business
or client information.  I don't want folks to think they can just show up
and get the "handouts" and leave without contributions to the training.  I
want this to be interactive, and not just me in a lecture for 40
hours...YUCK!  If you want to discuss SOP, manuals, and more specifics,
then bring yours to the training and we will discuss.  Yes, I will have
some EBL material to share, but I don't want EBL to be the main body of
knowledge; everyone has something to share.

If you are interested in attending, please follow the above outline to
apply.  Deadline for applications is January 31, 2003, via fax or snail
mail post date.  I wish I could afford more time, but if I am going to
offer this during our peak season, I need to get it planned and scheduled
ASAP to save dates.  Also, if your organization would like to sponsor this
event, please contact me directly.

I will wait a couple days to view the response of the list and see even if
folks like this kind of idea.  Then, if it gets good feedback, I'll post
some data to a webpage and let you know the URL.

I truly think this is doable and the 15 will have a great opportunity to
gain what ever knowledge they ask for in their free training.

Regards,
Steven
_______________________________________
Steven R. Gustafson, MS - President/CEO
Experience Based Learning, Inc.

Experience Based Adventures, Inc. 501(c)(3)
Executive Director
www.e-b-a.org

Wilderness Education Association
Advisory Board
www.weainfo.org

5075 Wilderness Trail
Rockford, IL  61114 USA
815.637.2969
815.637.2964 fax
steve@ebl.org
www.ebl.org