What is Leadership Development? |
While the differences may seem subtle, Leadership Development and Leader Development refer to two different things. Leadership Development refers to the process of building leadership qualities within individuals, regardless of whether or not themselves will become future leaders. That is to say, the qualities of leadership - the improvement and enhancement of interpersonal skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, as well as the ability to share, discuss, organize and encourage other individuals within the group through positive social influences - can be developed within all individuals.
Leadership Development focuses on training individuals within a group, helping them understand when to step forward, when to step back, when to lead and how to be an effective part of a group.
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What are Some Different Ways of Developing Leadership? |
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Typically, leadership development involves complex teambuilding tasks, utilizing ground initiatives and ropes courses. Scenarios utilizing these initiatives and ropes courses are modified depending on the ability of the group and the age of the participants. Typically, the teambuilding initiatives and low ropes courses initiatives focus on interpersonal skills - using tasks that require effective communication, sharing, discussion and organization. The high ropes courses initiatives primarily focus on building intrapersonal skills - self-confidence, self-esteem, strength within, self-trust and safe risk-taking. Usually, groups using high ropes courses initiatives find that peer-support and encouragement of one another are some positive side-benefits.
Newer high ropes courses, such as the newest addition at the Berkshire Outdoor Center, aim to combine traditional low ropes and high ropes elements into a single course that helps enhance all of these leadership qualities - basically by providing a high ropes element that also requires the use of low ropes element skills. |
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What is Special About Leadership Development at the Berkshire Outdoor Center? |
The facilities and facilitators are world-class. We have the most comprehensive ropes course in the entire North-East:
- 2 High Ropes (Pole) Courses - with over 25 elements
- 2 Low Ropes Courses - with over 30 elements
- 2 Outdoor Climbing Towers
- 1 Alpine Tower
- 1 Indoor Climbing Wall
Tailorable Programs - The key difference between the Berkshire Outdoor Center and other outdoor centers is that we tailor our programs for every group that attends. While our package still include the major focal points - Teambuilding & Group Dynamics; Nature & the Environment; Recreation & Adventure - any of our activities can be added to any of our packages. For example, a few schools that attend our fall programs prefer the Teambuilding & Group Dynamics focus, but like to add beaver ecology (nature) and kayaking (adventure) to the activities for their students. Full Listing of Activities Offered by Berkshire Outdoor Center Other Facilities - The Berkshire Outdoor Center operates world-class facilities in a gorgeous rustic setting in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
- Our brand new $5.5 million Chimney Corners Dining Hall is the perfect venue for meals and meeting spaces. One of our three climbing towers is even located inside this magnificent building!
- Our rustic Camp Becket Dining Hall overlooks the beautiful Rudd Pond for simply gorgeous views.
- We have three spectacular ponds, and we own all the land around each of them, so activities on the ponds are exclusively those of the Berkshire Outdoor Center.
- Our camps are on 1,350 acres of forested conservation lands. The property includes an extensive wetlands system and even a pristine peat bog - the perfect venues for Environmental Education programs.
- Our accommodation includes more than 70 rustic cabins arranged into 7 villages - with over 700 beds and four winterized lodges with up to 165 beds.
Exceptional International Staff - Our instructors are the best asset to our programs. A diverse range of staff from a variety of countries return year after year to run our Leadership Development programs. The extensive cultural diversity and interesting perspective each of them brings to our organization and to our guests is truly an exceptional contribution to the programs. And our seasoned veterans are the best staff in their field, passionate about living and working here in the Berkshires. |
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