Getting out of the workplace - into the basic elements of the outdoors, where participants can focus on one another and the relationships between one another - is powerful.

Our focus is leadership development. From our Leadership Development Definitions: 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.

• High Ropes -The Berkshire Outdoor Center has the most comprehensive ropes course in the North-Eastern United States. We have two High Ropes courses that employ triple-check belaying systems and require harnessed participants to climb to the top of elements constructed on power poles. One of our courses focuses on individual achievement, building of self-confidence and self-esteem; the other replies on the entire team to help climbers achieve the goals of the course. Elements include Quadraphenia, Ship’s Crossing, Burma Bridge, Cat Walk and the Zip Line.
• Alpine Tower - The Alpine Tower provides participants with the same challenges as rock climbing and traditional high ropes elements. Each person will be aided with safety gear and a staff member while they ascend the tower and its obstacles. The Alpine Tower is designed to allow participants to choose their own goals for success, and can be a highly rewarding experience for anyone.
• Low Ropes - This course is designed to provide challenges for a group of 10-15 students, involving group work, cooperation, and effective communication skills. The low ropes course can be physically challenging. It is a great activity on its own or as an introduction to challenge course work for those groups planning on participating in High Ropes.
• Teambuilding - Using a series of trust building activities, physical obstacles and non-physical challenges, the initiative sessions focus on cooperation, effective communication and the development of trust between individuals within a group.
• Climbing Towers - Each facility has a climbing tower for students to learn the basic elements of rock climbing skills, as well as to experience the belay safety system. Our climbing towers are designed to provide a variety of difficulty and skill levels, to challenge each participant.
• Indoor Climbing Wall - Our Dining Hall has an incredible 30ft climbing wall built inside it! It is perfect for students to learn the basic elements of rock climbing skills, as well as to experience the belay safety system. Our climbing wall designed to provide a variety of difficulty and skill levels, to challenge each participant.
• Zingers - Time management is crucial in this fast paced, action packed game. Students are divided into teams and travel from station to station, with each station consisting of a high energy task. Teamwork and fun are emphasized in this energetic activity.
• Outdoor Living Skills -Fire building, shelter building, and knots are all topics covered and practiced in Outdoor Living Skills. Students will get the chance to go out into the woods and try their hand at these skills while learning a bit of what it takes to get along in the wilderness as well as learning the basics of staying warm in winter and cool in summer.
• The Beast - This activity can be taught either as a class or as a large group activity. The students are shown a model of “the Beast” and asked to duplicate it. However, the student who sees the model is not the student who does the building. The Beast focuses on effective communication and working together.

Some corporate groups like to combine an overnight stay with a full day of leadership development and an evening at Tanglewood or the Barrington Stage Company. Similarly, some groups combine one day of leadership development with a second day at another cultural venue in The Berkshires.

Tanglewood - is an estate and music venue in Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts and is the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival. Barrington Stage Company is a professional award-winning Equity theatre, located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA and is focused on presenting new productions of undiscovered musicals and plays.

Norman Rockwell Museum - The Norman Rockwell Museum houses the world's largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art

VIP Meal Service - Programs for corporate groups always include a VIP meal service - our menu is created in consultation with the corporate group leader and usually incolves mouthwatering specialties such as Filet Mignon and Lobster, Jumbo Shrimp and a variety of salads and desserts. We can prepare anything, under our VIP meal service.

On-Site Accommodation - Guests can stay in our beautiful Ina Gibson Lodge when staying onsite. Optional Linen Service is available for group sizes up to 30 individuals. Staying onsite will build cameraderie among individuals within the group and is part of the teambuilding experience.

Off-Site Accommodation - Some groups prefer to have us find a bed-&-breakfast or rooms at the Berkshires' Crowne Plaza Hotel in nearby Pittsfield for their accommodation. This is certainly and option for groups that wish to participate in our programs without staying onsite.