Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies (OWLS) Overview
Syn.er.gy, n. The result when the performance of a group goes beyond the capabilities of group members as individuals.
OWLS is:
Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership Synergies is an interactive, experience-based education program located within the School of Experiential Leadership at George Williams College of Aurora University. The OWLS program utilizes experiential education teaching methods to empower group participants as they combine their efforts to become more effective teams and stronger individuals. |
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What an OWLS program can do for your group:
An OWLS program can assist your group with: leadership development, communication skills, motivation, group bonding, creative thinking, cooperation, trust, goal setting, fun, confidence building, problem solving, conflict resolution and decision making.
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The OWLS’ interactive approach to adventure based learning involves participants intellectually, emotionally, and physically by presenting activities that combine skill development, the purposeful application of those skills and reflection. This combination creates the ideal conditions for learning and a meaningful transference of learning to participants’ everyday life at home, school, within sports teams, work, and anywhere else they are confronted with the need to express themselves, interact with others or contribute to a group.
Custom Programming:
Our programs are custom designed based upon learning outcomes that are identified by the group leaders from the organizations that contract with OWLS. These outcomes and the ensuing goals, interests and capabilities of each group serve as an outline for the OWLS staff as they determine which activities to include in the program schedule they deliver. Through this process OWLS is able to provide experiences that are physically, socially, and mentally appropriate and compatible for each group which in turn allows us to produce optimum results. |
OWLS programs content is based upon:
OWLS programs consist of a curriculum that engages participants in a progression of activities that develop key skills such as problem solving, leadership, communication, decision making and group bonding. This process encourages the posing of questions, active investigation of solutions, experimentation, the assumption of responsibility, creativity and the construction of deep and transferable lessons that extend from the OWLS experience to life “back home.” |
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While individual programs vary greatly; a basic progression is common for most every program delivered. This progression involves a series of skill building activities that build upon each other as groups move towards fulfilling their goals. Progression areas include:
Introductory games involve participating in cooperative games that serve to introduce group members to each other and/or to the OWLS instructor, that energize the group and that begin the processes of breaking down barriers to learning while exploring and creating group norms, orienting group members to experiential learning and to the purpose behind their OWLS experience.
Problem solving initiative activities present the group with mental and physical challenges. Through these activities, groups begin to explore their abilities and characteristics as they experience success and failure. Through self and OWLS staff-led discussions, these experiences serve as key components in the development of these skills that are necessary for overcoming the more difficult challenges that are presented later in the progression.
Low Ropes initiatives provide the group with yet another set of challenges that combine a higher degree of physical output while continuing to encourage the group to develop interpersonal relationships as they work together to overcome the scenarios that are presented.
High Ropes Course/Rock Climbing Tower – These elements are commonly included in our programs as a way to provide individuals and groups with a highly memorable experience that focuses group members on overcoming physical challenges that involve climbing and/or negotiating a series of obstacles. Placing the obstacles off of the ground enhances the impact of this experience by encouraging individuals to overcome natural fears and group members to assist one another through this process.
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| Processing and the Transference of Learning – While engaged in these activities groups are also guided through structured reflection exercises that assist in the processing of the challenges that the group has faced, where and when the group has had success and where they have struggled. These discussions serve to keep the group focused on the larger purpose of their experience at OWLS and provide an opportunity for individuals and the group to measure their growth and to initiate the process of relating their OWLS experience to their life at school, the workplace, home… |
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Program Elements and Resources:
OWLS program resources are located on the George Williams College of Aurora University campus in Williams Bay, WI. and include:
- Two High Ropes courses
- Two Power Pole “Leap of Faith” elements
- A 45’ rock climbing tower
- Extensive group initiative and teambuilding areas
- Five low ropes course element areas
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The beautiful George Williams College campus (http://www.aurora.edu/gwcampus/virtualtour.htm) includes 241 wooded acres overlookingLake Geneva, near Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The campus offers full-service overnight and conference amenities and many program extras.
- Private or shared bath housing options
- Housing for group from 12 to 100+
- Two large dining halls (private dining room facilities and a variety of meal plans are available)
- Indoor meeting space with full A/V equipment available
- 1600’ of Lake Geneva shoreline
- Seasonal waterfront facilities including a swimming beach
- Easy access from Chicago, Rockford, Milwaukee, and Madison
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Who OWLS serves:
Programs can be designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of populations
- Middle and high school students (8th-12th grade)
- University students, student organizations and special interest groups
- Adult professional and social groups
- Social, therapeutic and human service organizations
- Community and religious organizations
- Athletic teams and sports clubs
- Camps and recreation programs
- Corporate groups
Specialized Programs:
OWLS offers a variety of programming to meet the needs of professional educators, leaders, corporate retreats and outdoor adventure based program staff. Contact OWLS for more information on our facilitation trainings, technical skills trainings or to develop a specialized training for your group.
- Conflict resolution skill development
- Corporate teambuilding
- Professional development
- Leadership skills development
- Ropes Course Instructor training
- Advanced Facilitation training
Please contact us at
(262) 245-8535 or email us at OWLS@aurora.edu |
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