Mission

The mission of The Adventure Centre is to inspire people of all ages to be more connected with themselves and the world around them. Through challenge, adventure, reflection and dialog, we provide powerful opportunities for self-discovery, compassion and collaboration.

We believe in order to build a more caring and understanding world, we must teach and be taught by:

• Integrity • Risking • Openness
• Support • Trust • Authenticity • Sharing
• Valuing Diversity • The Inherent Value In The Struggle For Growth

In order to meet our mission, The Adventure Centre serves annually about 4,000 youth and adults from many backgrounds through several programs, including Diversity Awareness and Leadership Training (DALT), Intervention and Special Needs programming, and our traditional Educational Programming. Customized and facilitated to meet the specific needs of each group, these programs empower participants to become more effective members of their groups and communities.

The Adventure Centre has led the way in understanding the relationships and dynamics needed to use experiential activities for "life" metaphors. The Adventure Centre programs encourage the use of individual initiative, leadership and teaming skills as groups participate in various activities that provide many emotional, mental, and physical challenges. The challenges offered are designed to inspire self-reflection, personal growth, and awareness of group dynamics. Each experience presents valuable insights about teamwork, collaboration and effective communication. Professional facilitators assist the participants in relating their experiences at The Adventure Centre to the purpose, mission, and reality of their group.

The Adventure Centre has received national recognition throughout Adventure/ Experiential Educational organizations for its many accomplishments in programming and unique forms of group facilitation. The Adventure Centre courses and programs have been developed with the assistance of technical experts, counselors, psychologists, social workers, educators, and outdoor practitioners, resulting in an outstanding record of success and safety.

History

Programming for the Adventure Centre was conceived in 1971 as a Michigan Department of Education demonstration project. It was devised as a way to improve an individual's potential for learning by improving communication skills and building interpersonal relationships between students of different backgrounds. The Centre moved to Pretty Lake, located in Texas Township, in 1978.

In 1983, the Adventure Centre was established as, and continues to be the only independent, non-profit, self-sustaining, outdoor Experiential Educational center in the State of Michigan. Since then, The Adventure Centre has provided high-impact Experiential/Adventure educational programs to over 90,000 youth and adults primarily from Southwest Michigan, as well as from neighboring states. On an annual basis The Adventure Centre serves approximately 4000 students, in grades 6-12 from more than 100 schools and youth programs; as well as over 1,000 from colleges, universities, and adult organizations from the public and private sectors.

Testimonials