Category Uncategorized

During this time of Covid-19 -we are offering online interactive program options for your youth.

We can help you with playful breaks, teamwork, challenges, mindfulness for students, group laughter yoga, and more! Sessions are a class period or a half day

Start the school year positively by giving your class a teambuilding session outdoors or in the gym, cafeteria or even the classroom. If back to school involves online classes- contact us for an interactive teambuilding virtual challenge session!

Students develop new relationships when they are involved in a unique activity that requires different skills. They get to know one another thru a hands-on experience. Respect develops as they solve challenges as a team.

Program is facilitated to develop cohesion and critical thinking throughout the group. This is very different than an open session at a theme park or other field trip. Our staff directs an opportunity to make new friends and learn better ways to work together. Youth do not need to be athletic or very physical, everyone can participate. Experiences provide thinking challenges alongside physical

Sessions are typically held morning or afternoon. Shorter versions can be held during a class period- even held right in the classroom. Call us to reserve a date!

School is back in session. If this brings you a combination of excitement and stress- you are not alone. Stress is estimated to affect over 80% of adults and youth. Recent surveys by the APA show 36% of teens are severely overwhelmed by stress.  As the school year progresses with tests, papers and social pressures-these numbers increase!

Laughter and meditation are two ways to reduce stress and improve overall wellness. Team COA is offering options with both for your classroom youth or teacher group.

Group Laughter Yoga sessions are held right in the classroom or in a cafeteria or lawn space. This is not a humor- based session or comedy show. Instead of being comedians, we lead laughing exercises that any age can follow. No need for gym clothes or yoga gear- we will laugh, stretch and breathe as a group. Sessions can be held during a regular class period. Studies show Laughter Yoga reduces stress and blood pressure while improving overall wellness. Many people have noticed increased ability to focus after a session. One of the reasons might just be because laughter is the fastest way to oxygenate the blood ! Even running and athletics can not compete with Group Laughter Yoga’s oxygenating power!

Classroom meditation sessions can be held right after a Group Laughter Yoga session or can be scheduled independently. Our experience has shown that people who have never meditated before are naturally more comfortable after a hearty laughing session. Meditation is an excellent way to calm the mind and body. We lead seated meditation in the classroom or youth and adults can lay down in a carpeted space such as a library.

Contact us to schedule a stress relief session !   teamcoa@outlook.com

Look forward to working with you soon,

Cynthia Paris

Do you enjoy being outdoors? Working with middle school and high school youth?

We are hiring now for Team COA staff. We train all the technical skills for this fun outdoor job. Contact teamcoa@outlook.com to apply.

We are hiring now for this fun part time outdoor job. Where else can you have this much fun and be paid ?

Building a bridge together

Youth group works together on a team challenge

While the weather is cold and snowy- bring your group indoors for some activities.

Groups can build communication skills as they solve challenges together.

Indoors keeps everyone warm and dry. Yet, we still can be outdoors year round. Bring your hat & gloves and spend an hour or a few outside. Days with snow- add an interesting bit of fun ! We can provide hot chocolate & pizza for lunch too. No worries if it gets too chilly- reserve some indoor space as a back up and we can come inside if needed! Hope to see you soon

Would you climb up to the top of a power pole and then jump off? Chip Brewster of Real Milwaukee on FOX6 hangs at the Center for Organizational Advancement to give it a try. Check out the video here!

Fox 6 TV- chip brewster on the High swings

Flying high- Miles the dedicated cameraman!

Real Milwaukee’s Chip Brewster joined us at Team COA

He climbed indoors, with our staff attending his rope- on the Bosun High Swings & the Cargo net.He had a great attitude when the swings kept spinning. From the ground- they look easy. But once you are up there- its surprising how challenging it can be. We filmed off and on while he climbed. He then worked on a partner climb on the Giants ladder. Another event that is much more challenging than expected.

As his final piece – he was lifted up on the flying squirrel- all the way to the ceiling! We lifted his cameraman up too- with the big live feed camera tied around his body. He is a dedicated guy!

For me- it was a different type of challenge. I had to manage his safety while also wondering when we were “on air” and when we were not. Because he was on a remote live feed-it wasn’t easy to know. I was caught off guard a few times- when we were prepping him to climb- but then we were actually on film. He didn’t know either- as you can see in one of the clips. Below, I have attached a link to a few clips on the Fox6now website. There are a few more clips we will post directly on our site soon.

Hopefully you find these clips entertaining- as much as my staff has. Yes –I am wearing my snow pants- but in my defense- it was really below zero & we originally planned to be outside. Watch for more goofiness during the flying squirrel – there are a few times where I look like I am dancing ballet or something! All in a day’s play.

Consider bringing your group of friends or family to Team COA this winter- You are guaranteed to have fun !

Hope to see you soon !
Cynthia Paris, Manager COA

See clips below

Gift Certificates- The gift of Adventure!

Looking for a unique gift for that hard to find person, couple or family? Or maybe a unique gift for you & your co-workers or group of friends.

Team COA can create a gift certificate for any of our activities and program sessions.

Popular ideas are: Zipline, Power Pole Jump, Indoor climbing intro, Group program on team challenge lows or single high elements, For groups of 8 or more: Flying squirrel ( indoor or outdoor !)

View of Zipline- climb to reach this platform

Today’s post is Just for Girls

Teen and pre- teen girls are vulnerable in so many ways. They face difficult situations at home, school and out in their community. It seems that every time I turn on the news- another girl is in trouble or worse. It really has started many of us thinking about how to strengthen this generation of young woman. As we talked about it- we came up with a two things that help a girl in a difficult time.

1- Using her voice.

Speaking or yelling for help can be the difference in a bad situation. Some girls find this the hardest thing to do when afraid or threatened. Smaller stresses from school or friends can get worse when a girl stays silent.

2- Critical Thinking- Problem solving in creative ways

Being able to make choices and work through problems can get a girl out of trouble or prevent it from happening at all. Evaluating different options while thinking in clever and creative ways has helped save many in tight spots.

Hands on activity is one of the best ways to learn and the challenge course is a great place for it ! These two skills are developed by design through many of our programs already. To address the needs of Girls – we have created sessions just for them. Any group of girls- from sports teams to family or neighborhood groups- will benefit from developing skills to problem solve and use their voice !

Hope to see your girls on course soon !

Take care,
Cynthia Paris – Team COA manager

Just for Girls- Strong Girls program info

Girls climbing

Challenging yourself up high !

Read more at http://coaprograms.org/just-for-girls-finding-voice/

This 2nd grade group is starting the day in a listening circle

A lively group of 2nd graders joined us for teambuilding challenges recently. They had an opportunity to help each other with low ropes challenges. These are all activities on the ground. Students learned to support each other while takimg turns crossing bridges, cables and logs. Activities were designed to be appropriate for their age and abilty. Just challenging enough to keep them interested but not too difficult to be frustrating.

They had assistance in making new friends- a key component in anti bullying. Students were mixed up in groups from the same class, but not necessarily with all their closest friends. As they worked through the day, laughing and having fun- new friendships developed naturally. Our facilitators help by guiding the process.

Its very different than just a day on a playground. Here, many students that struggle in standard classroom learning will excel in the hands on environment of the challenge course. This allows classmates to see positive qualities, such as leadership, planning and problem solving, that they may not have seen be fore in another. When youth get to know each other while sharing fun experiences, they are better able to get along throughout the school year.

Its not too late for an anti-bullying session on course- we are open year round !

Hope to see your students soon,

Cynthia Paris , manager Team COA