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Changing Course

Changing the course of people's lives since 1998.

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Welcome

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Coming soon the ability to send donations online
History

HISTORY

Established 1998

About

ABOUT US

Team
Cathi
Mistie
Heather
Chris Bowers

Programs Blank

Programs

Camp Programs

Challenge Course Management

Services

Retreats

Corporate Groups

Motivational Speaking

Challenge Course Management

Teacher In-Service Trainging

Photos

Contacts

CONTACT

The Changing Course Foundation

P.O. Box 1646

Cedar Hill, TX 75106

214-477-2673

changcourse_yahoo.com

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Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to Changing Course FoundationWe are a 501 (c)(3) organization that specializes in Adventure Based Program. We are dedicated to changing the course of peoples lives and helping organizations learn how to work together effeciently. Changing Course provides many different options to help people learn how to make better decisions for themselves and teach teams how to work better as a group. One of the ways we do this is through a Challenge courses. This is valuable in helping people develop trust, communication skills, solve problems, and becoming personally responsible for their own behavior. Changing Course combines outdoor activities with classroom activities to teach people to make better decisions, goal setting, how to communicate differently with people and how to trust.
History

Changing Course was founded in 1998 from a strong desire to help young people make good choices. The organization incorporated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in 2002. .

In 1999 the organization added a program called Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel.) Project HOPE is desigtned to be used in P.E. classes for Middle and High Schools. The total participants in the program for 2003 was 176 youth.

In 2001 a camp for Parker Chiropractic College was designed and will celebrate 10 years of successful camps in 2011.

In 2003 Changing Course added Project Challenge, a monthly campout for juvenile probation youth, ages 13-17. There were 52 participants the first year.

By 2005 Changing Course reached a multitude of youth and adults throughout various programs. Adding new programs for teaching adults life skills also.

Changing Course is dedicated to developing and administering programs to enhance teamwork, self-worth, leadership, responsibility, and accountability to all types of groups.

About

Cathi Neal

Executive DirectorCathi manages the non-profit organization including developing programs for all types of groups from School to Corporate. The programs are uniquely designed for the specific needs of each group.Cathi has many attributes to help Changing Course Foundation be a success:Is a Certified Challenge Course Manager, holds a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology. And is working on her Masters of Science in Management with a Change Leadership Emphasis.Is a published author of the book titled Genesis: An Addict’s Viewpoint.Has worked in the Experiential Learning Field since 1997. She received her training through the Boy Scouts of America, Project Adventure, Ropeworks Inc. and Alpine Towers Inc.Seven years experience in training Boy Scout Leaders to become directors for the Boy Scouts’ challenge course program called C.O.P.E. (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) and 12 years experience training facilitators for various challenge courses across Texas.Cathi is a member of the ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology)Cathi Neal not only directs the programs and camps but involves herself in all activities.

Mistie Doyle

Mistie Doyle is a Certified Experiential Practitioner and Trainer with Changing Course. In this role, Mistie coordinates/schedules and facilitates group in Experiential Learning from Challenge Courses to Board Rooms. Mistie can transform your team from mediocre to great.Mistie is an ACCT trained Practitioner holds an Associate degree in Criminal Justice and specializes in water sports. From Canoeing to wakeboarding Mistie has been an Aquatics Director for the BSA for 5 years. Training her staff to become lifeguards and running a high profile Summer Camp Aquatics program for several years. Mistie is experienced in the Outdoor Experiential learning community. Since 1998, Mistie has been involved in detailed teambuilding programs, training other practitioners and spent nine years as a Correctional Officer and Commissary Manager for the State of Texas Prison system.Mistie is no stranger to adversity and being able to identify with those who are struggling. She grew up in a broken home and has fought her own battles with drug, alcohol, emotional and physical abuse. Today she believes in a God that has sustained and brought her through her lifes struggles. After losing two significant people in her life, Mistie had an experience that dropped her to her knees and the realization that her relationship with God had been lacking and the only way to change her life was to change her heart. She has dedicated her life to helping others find a successful way to live.

Chris Bowers

Christopher Bowers, CEF is a Keynote/Motivational Speaker, Corporate Coach and Personal Development Trainer,Drawing on over 18 years experience Chris has designed and delivered personal and corporate development programs for a variety of organizations worldwide. His expertise has taking him across the United States and abroad to Eastern Europe and Central America. Chris has been able to bring together his years of training, education and what he describes as the most important aspect, his personal experience to reach a diverse population.Chris has facilitated trainings, written curriculums and coached such clients as Dallas Stars, IBM, Texas Instruments, Harmony Foundation, Because We Care Foundation (Belize, Central America), True.com, Global Training Concepts, Leather Center, 24Hour Fitness, Step In For Children(Eastern Europe, Romania).Formerly, Chris served as a Licensed Chemical Dependence Counselor. He worked extensively with clients and families who suffered from addiction. In 1993 he moved to Texas, where he helped implement the first drug and alcohol treatment programs into the Texas Department of Corrections. Chris managed a successful private practice for 10 years, balancing his work between corporate coaching, speaking, gang prevention, organizational team building and addiction work. For the past 15 years Chris has worked closely with families and couples wanting to have transformation in their relationships. He views organizations as a structure similar to families. Both wanting the outcome of Success but limiting themselves by their own filters or beliefs. Specializing in this area, Chris has been asked to speak to organizations of every type. He was certified as an Experiential Facilitator in 1993 and has long standing affiliations with ICF (International Coach Federation) and Coachville.Mr. Bowers was recognized in 1990 by the University of South Alabama for his work with educational Institutions in the Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. He has been the guest speaker on Texas radio talk shows discussing topics such as, drug and alcohol addiction in adolescences, conflict resolution, gang prevention and family dynamics. Chris developed and facilitated a life changing workshop for the Dr. Phil Show that aired in 2007. Chris is known for his effectiveness when serving others. In seeing his own vision, He is considered extremely capable in producing the wanted outcome or objective.
Programs

Camp Programs

Project Challenge Corporate Team Building Challenge Course Management Our newest addition Changing Course Boys' Ranch

Challenge Couse

Challenge Course Managment

Changing Course holds a certificate of training from the ACCT for challenge course management. This level of training goes beyond a certified practitioner and requires 30 plus hours specific to management of a challenge course.We can provide the following services for your course:1. Records management2. Equipment inventory3. Marketing to your camps current groups4. Identifing programs for growth and expansion5. Staffing for challenge courses6. Program management for Outdoor Education Programs7. Cost analasys8. Creating or updating Standard Operating Manual specific to your course9.Program development specific to each group on your courseIf you are looking for a company that will be responsible for your challenge coursePlease call us today!214-477-2673
Photos

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zipline mtl
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whale watch mtl

Contact

Summer Camp

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Camp Programs

Our Camp Programs range from an overnighter to a 8 day camp.Programs designed for churches, Youth and Adults who are struggling, Coroprate teambuilding and leadership and many other custom made programs.Our programs are specifically designed for each group and can include:Challenge Course teambuilding, climbing, ziplining, and other up in the air activities.Swimming, Archery, Hiking, Rock Climbing, orienteering, canoeing and more.Challenge Course programs provide opportunities for the participants to learn how to trust themselves and others, how to solve problems, develop a team, and how to deal with unexpected changes in life. Rock climbing teaches trust and self-efficacy.Our programs for adjudicated youth provides an opportunity for the youth to be removed from their old environment and puts them in a healthier environment where they have the opportunity to learn more about themselves and develop positive social and emotional values. Camp gives them opportunity to alter delinquent behavior.Sessions are held on Decision Making, Choices, Goal Setting, and Leadership. These sessions give practical advice and enhance life skills. They go home equipped to make better decisions.
Challenge

Project Challenge

Project Challenge is a monthly camping program for juvenile probationers. Project Challenge provides a monthly meeting and a monthly campout with the camping decisions made by the participants. The participants decide where to camp, what to cook and who is responsible for all necessary chores. The chores include setting up camp, cooking, cleaning, gathering wood for fire, etc. Project Challenge teaches respect for our environment as well as respect for themselves and others. Project Challenge emphasizes lessons on Leave No Trace, Cooking, Cleaning, Rock Climping, and Leadership skills.The strength of Project Challenge is a noncompetitive structure using experiential techniques to challenge students to take intellectual risks, develop group cohesion and value diversity. Project Challenge promotes self-esteem, and provides a way to ease the transition of destructive habits to constructive ones. The Project provides real consequences for dysfunctional and prosocial behaviors.Project Challenge Goals:To indirectly decrease the number of probated youth.To significantly reduce the number of delinquent acts of participants.To directly reduce the number of probated youth from further penetrating the juvenile justice system.Project Challenge Objectives:To increase participants pride and self-esteemTo increade participants social and individual sense of responsibility and accountability.To have participants become aware of their own mental, physical, and emotional abilities/disabilities.To have participants recognize their own leadership skills and understand negative peer pressure.To increase participants knowledge and understanding of a multicultural community and world.The ideals of Project Challenge are embodied in doing our duty to our God, helping to strength our country, to help others and to seek truth, fairness and adventure in our world. Project Challenge is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that help youth pursue their special interest, to grow, develop leadership skills, and to become responsible, caring adults. The methods of this program are aimed toward building character.
Project HOPE

Project HOPE

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel) is a program that is taught in Physical Education classes in Middle and High Schools. The program is specially assigned for students who have problems with truancy and ISS. The class can be six, nine, or eighteen week program. The basic concept is games, initiative, low and high challenge courses that teach:TrustCommunication SkillsLeadershipTeamworkCommunitySelf EfficacyThe activities are specifically designed to create new attitudes and perspectives and shows them that they are worthy of success. HOPE teaches there are ways to have fun without getting into trouble. The program promotes feelings of accomplishments and are specifically designed to create breakthrough thinking.For more information please call Changing Course Foundation, 214-395-4379
Corporate Groups

Corporate Groups

Changing Course has been providing programs for corporate groups since 1998.We listen to what your needs are and then design a challenge course program that is specific to your goals and objectives. Our staff are professionals that have management experience, coaching experience, and have been facilitating challenge courses for over 15 years. We are trained professionals that care about helping your organization to better communicate with each other, learn to make decisions more effectively and help your group to trust each other. We use tools such as "the Five Dysfunctions of a Team", "The Four Agreements", "Change Navigation" and many other popular books that slice through the muck and get to the point of how change really occurs. One of our staff members has a Masters in Management with a Change Leadership Emphasis and can help your company determine if changes need to be made and help guide you throught the process if it does.Come join us near Downtown Dallas, or let us come to your location. We have portable activities that can be used in any large conference room.Spend the day or use this opportunity for an extended offsite training. Call us today to begin helping your organization become the most effective and effecient organization that you can be. Call Cathi today at 214-477-2673 or email her at changcourse_yahoo.com
Motivational Speaking

Motivational Speaking

Changing Course can provide your event with a motivational speaker.Check out Chris Bowers' bio on the "about us" page. Cathi can also speak at any function concerning biblical matters and has written a book called Genesis: An Addicts Viewpoint. This is a commentary of Genesis that any addict can understand. Many people who have been under the grip of an addiction would like to understand the Bible but are unable to follow most translations. Although Genesis is not a Biblical translation, it will help you understand the concept.
Services

Retreats

Corporate Groups

Motivational Speaking

Challenge Course Management

Teacher In-Service Trainging

Changing Course Boys Ranch

Changing Course Boys Ranch is a dream come true for us. Since 1999 when we discovered the need for a home for young men ages 12-19 we have been searching for a partnership.On January 19th 2011 we were provided with that opportunity.We have been given a place that will accommadate our dream.

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