The root of WAEL is the adventure activities that we offer. Experiential education is an important tenet to our program, and we believe that our adventure program offers the perfect forum for groups to grow together in a non-traditional learning environment. We can tailor each activity to meet your group’s specific goals: to develop leadership, to encourage communication, or to have a good time. Whether it’s group interaction or individual challenge you seek, our adventure program can meet your needs.

All of the activities at WAEL are presented in a supportive, safe environment. Our programs and instructors abide by the “Challenge By Choice” philosophy. We provide individuals with the opportunity to attempt challenges in an atmosphere of support and caring. We believe that the attempt is more significant than the performance results in all our programs. The point is not to get to the top, but to challenge yourself to reach your goals, and then try a step further.

Following are descriptions of the activities that Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing has to offer. Each activity provides the opportunity for your group members to both cultivate working relationships with each other and to challenge themselves personally. We conduct most of the activities on our base camp property or in the surrounding National Forest or nearby Rivers. However, we are able to send facilitators for ground initiatives to your workplace or other meeting site.

SPECIFIC FACILITATED WORKSHOPS

These are a few of our more popular workshops. Any of these can be done in 2-4 hours and can be combined with the majority of our other activities.

• So that's why... (2 hr Personality Assessment)
• Inspiring Shared Vision (4 hr Goal Setting Workshop)
• Change Leadership (4 hr workshop on the qualities of transformational leaders)
• Stumbling Blocks & Stepping Stones (2 hr Problem Solving Workshop)
• Situational Leadership (2 hrs)
• Group Process & Team Dynamics (4 hrs)
• Decision Making (2 hrs)

Ground Initiatives

• Group initiatives consist of group challenges designed to encourage the group to work and to think together
• Initiatives create a scenario with clearly defined problems in which a group must cooperate and work together to come up with a solution
• The goal is for each individual to develop increased confidence in regard to decision making, leadership, conflict resolution, and for the group to have a better ability to utilize the combined physical and mental strengths of its members
• Examples: The Amazing Rising Pole…A group initiative where members work together to lower a pole to the ground without it leaving their fingertips. Seems easy? Just wait and see.  Traffic Jam…Half the group stands on one side, half on the other, they need to switch places. Seems straightforward, but rules apply. Groups ponder many ways of reaching the solution, but in the end there’s only one.

Low Ropes Challenge Course

• At WAEL we have two low ropes challenge courses. Each consists of several elements designed for further group interaction and challenge in the wilderness environment. In many instances, our facilitators design the programs so that groups must complete one particular element in order to move onto the next
• The goal is for participants to develop teamwork through communication, cooperation, commitment, and respect
• Low elements encourage a sense of awareness of the individual responsibilities within a group setting while honing the groups ability to trouble shoot in different situations
• Examples…The Spider Web…The group must navigate their way through a giant spiders web without setting off any alarms. Facilitators tend to concoct creative scenarios for this one that apply to your group.  Tarzan’s Folly…The group spots individual members as they walk along a cable holding onto ropes. This one encourages trust in the group as the walkers rely on the rest of the group to focus on spotting them. Groups are sometimes surprised at their member’s ability in this fun element. 

High Ropes Challenge Course

• Our high ropes challenge course consists of 4 elements: The Giant’s Ladder, The Pole Climb, The Cargo Net, and the Double Strand
• Each element presents individual challenges in a supportive group environment
• High ropes aid in developing levels of confidence, self-esteem, drive, and motivation
• Example: The Pole Climb...Two climbs are set up. Individuals tie into ropes and attempt to climb trees. Upon reaching the top, they check out the view, then jump out to ring a bell. Definitely an exhilarating event. 

Climbing Wall and Rappelling Tower

• Our 50’ climbing tower offers many levels of personal and group challenge. At any given time there can be two climbers and one rappeller (or groups can choose to climb only). The wall is set up so that climbers can choose the level of challenge they want. Group members who are not climbing stand by for support and offer suggestions for routes to the climbers.
• Like high ropes, the climbing wall is confidence building. The wall helps individuals to cultivate trust in themselves and empowers the group to provide a supportive environment. 

Rock Climbing

• This activity offers many of the challenges that our climbing wall presents, except that the rocks are real
• Individuals develop motivation and trust in themselves and in their group as they overcome the obstacles of climbing in a natural environment

Zip Line

• Famed as one of the world’s longest, our 900’ zip line has become arguably the most popular adventure activity that WAEL has to offer. Group members hike to the top of the mountain, get attached to the cable, then come flying 35-40 miles per hour down the hill
• Definitely an individual challenge that requires group support to overcome. A huge self-esteem builder, individuals never walk away without a grin on their faces.

Hiking

• Enjoy the beautiful scenery that the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. WAEL offers several hiking opportunities. On our base camp property, groups often hike to “the bluff”, arguably the most beautiful spot on our base camp property. Stand on the shale-covered outcropping and enjoy the view of the mountains beyond and the creek and fields below. We also offer day trips to nearby Roaring Run in Jefferson National Forest. Groups can hike up to the beautiful falls at the top of the trail and then journey down to the natural waterslide for 35 feet of slip-sliding fun.
• Hiking offers the group the opportunity to bond together to achieve a particular destination as well as cultivate memories together of the fantastic sights and sounds of the wilderness environment 

Caving 

• Groups travel off the property to one of Virginia’s beautiful limestone caves. WAEL instructors issue caving suits, helmets, lamps, and gloves, then lead the way into the underground world. Groups learn about cave ecology and history as they navigate through miles of passageways, looking at cave formations and cave wildlife along the way
• This activity presents individual and group challenges. Group members rely on each other to safely travel through the cave as they pass messages to each other and point out obstacles
• Employees develop a sense of how to help each other with new, unfamiliar environments 
  

Canoeing

• Choose to paddle down nearby Craig Creek or mount a full day’s journey down the James or New River. We provide canoes, paddles, lifejackets, and guides. We can also pack a lunch to have on the way
• Groups enjoy the scenery that canoeing has to offer. They also learn effective communication as they navigate their way downstream.
• This activity also encourages individuals to assume specific roles, whether they are navigating in the front of the boat or steering in the back 

Kayaking

• All kayaking at WAEL begins with a flat water kayak class on our pond. There group members learn paddling basics as well as “wet exits” (how to get out of your boat). If groups choose to go, after the flat water class they are eligible for a whitewater excursion on the James or New Rivers
• Kayaking presents multi-faceted individual challenge. Group members work on their ability to deal with frustration, maintain balance, and cope with confining situations 

Mountain Biking

• Groups start off with an introductory class and a brief instructional loop on our base camp property before heading into the national forest for an extensive mountain biking experience. WAEL provides the bikes, helmets, water bottles, gloves, and experienced guides
• Mountain biking again provides groups with individual challenges better overcome with group support. Additionally, mountain biking offers a great way to see the beauty that the national forest has to offer and packs a great sense of satisfaction at the end of a good ride.

Fly Fishing

• Whether this is your first time or you are a seasoned vetern, our guides will show you the hidden spots on Craig Creek, Barbours Creek, New River, James River, or on our two stocked ponds.
• We can spend as little as a half day to as long as you desire.  We can fish from the shores or try your hand fishing from canoes or rafts as we float down some of the most beautiful rivers in all of Virginia.