New Challenge Course Manager for Cispus

Chase Buffington to help groups develop skills through adventure-based learning

OLYMPIA–Aug. 20, 2009—The Association of Washington School Principals has named a new challenge course manager for its Cispus Learning Center in Randle, Washington. The participant-centered challenge course, which serves approximately 5,000 individuals every year, is now under the direction of Chase Buffington.

Using the philosophy, theories and tools of adventure-based experiential education, the Cispus Challenge Course program serves teams with specific learning goals emphasizing personal and group awareness. As course manager, Buffington will help groups navigate through obstacles requiring social, mental and physical dexterity in the effort to develop relationship-building, conflict resolution and communication skills.

Buffington comes to Cispus with a strong background in outdoor recreation and experiential education. A former facilitator for the Eastern Washington University challenge course, he is a member of the Association of Experiential Education and the Association of Challenge Course Technology.

“Chase has hit the ground running, as he arrived during one of the busiest times of the year,” says Sue English, general manager of the Cispus Learning Center. “We already know he loves what he’s doing by his constant smile.”

Buffington holds a Bachelor of Arts in outdoor recreation and a Master of Science in administration and pedagogy, both from Eastern Washington University. In 2007, he was named “Outdoor Recreation Major of the Year” by the university.

The Cispus Challenge Course draws participants ranging in age from fifth-grade to adulthood, and in type from school-related programs to church programs to at-risk youth programs. The course is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest between Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. The course is maintained within the forest, and low elements are nestled individually among salal, Oregon grape and vine maple.

AWSP first began its outdoor education programs in 1981 at the Cispus Learning Center. The premier outdoor education center in western Washington, Cispus serves more than 14,500 students and adults each year. More than one million guests have used the woods surrounding Cispus to better understand themselves and the natural environment.

AWSP’s other outdoor learning center, Chewelah Peak Learning Center, is located in Chewelah, Washington, about an hour north of Spokane. Both Cispus and Chewelah Peak provide outdoor leadership and educational opportunities for elementary, middle and high school students, staff and administrators.

To learn more about Cispus, Chewelah Peak and their challenge courses, contact Martin Fortin at fortin@awsp.org or 360.497.7131. 

About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,400 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.

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