When NexLevel Challenge officially opened its doors on June 25 at the Red Lodge Guest Ranch, 11 kilometres west of Bowden, it was targeting underprivileged and at-risk youth with an innovative experiential learning retreat program.But that has quickly evolved. Helping youth is still very much part of its mandate but the new venture's early success and explosive popularity has forced NexLevel Challenge to consider a broader target group.ìWe are about team building and leading through experiential learning,î said Beth Fredeen, president and owner of NexLevel Solutions Inc., which operates the program. ìWhat is happening is just spiralling. It is really, really good.îWhile promoting her new venture as the ìexperience of a lifetimeî she said NexLevel Challenge is a team building and leadership program for all ages and groups, an experience that promises to ìinspire and empower.î But one of the primary main focuses remains working with youths through its experiential learning program to develop confidence, self-esteem and integrity, and ìallowing every young person the opportunity to live a happy, safe, and rewarding life free of bullying, stress and everyday pressures.îThe program's mission statement focuses on the importance of creating positive growth and change in individuals, groups and organizations. "We are using our corner of the Alberta wilderness to help create a world where the workplace can be an environment of teamwork and support and where young people are empowered to explore their potential and find their place in a better world," said Fredeen.The program is based at her brother Dale Bradshaw's 320-acre wilderness ranch, which has been in the family since 1927. It is here where Fredeen, family members and facilitators created team building challenges, a carefully designed program that develops self-confidence, communication, positive risk-taking, trust, decision making, teamwork and leadership skills. This concept features a high and low ropes course and twin zipline where Fredeen and her team underwent their own nine days of instructor training and certification in late June, despite torrents of rain, hordes of mosquitoes and days of blazing sun.ìWe all did it. The training went very well and I am very proud of my team,î Fredeen said, adding the participants are now certified as either level one or level two ropes course instructors.And today there is plenty of work for everyone. NexLevel Challenge has already attracted the interest from Olds schools, including the college, which is sending its resident assistants to the program for team building. One school in Olds is sending its Grade 8 students who are transitioning to high school.ìSome of them are nervous with that transition and this is good for self-confidence. This will show them they can do anything,î said Fredeen.As well, NexLevel Challenge attracted members of the Alberta Lacrosse boys team in July, which Fredeen admits was ìcoolî not only for them but for both herself and staff.And in early September Olds College is sending 320 new residents to the ranch for a one-day course, challenging as it will be, to learn the finer points of team building.While this is all going on there are many calls for corporate and family reunion bookings.ìThe feedback is positive,î said Fredeen. ìI've got several group projects confirmed right now and the NexLevel Challenge team is looking forward to an exciting and rewarding future. It's going to be great."For further information visit the website at www.nexlevelchallenge.com or contact Fredeen, at 403-714-1550 or 1-866-840-2840. She can also be e-mailed at [email protected]
