2434 Pleasant View Dr. Rochester Hills, Mi 48306 {248) 481-2568 of?ce (248) 2?1 more fax adventuresmithinocom 15? a? ears ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT Case: Fall from Heights Tina Werner Location: Go Ape turns Pond, LLC Lums Pond State Park 1042 Howell School Road Bear, DE 19701 Date/Time: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 2:30pm Submitted by: Michael R. Smith AdventureSmith, inc. 2434 Pleasant View Drive Rochester Hills, Ml 48306 Date Submitted: September 7, 2016 PURPOSE i was retained by Louis Rizzo, Esq. of Reger, Rizzo, Darnall, LLP, who is counsellor Go Ape Lums Ponds, LLC, a zip line and treetop adventure course located inside of turns Pond State Park (1042 Howell School Road, Bear, Delaware 19?01) to review the available information and to investigate Mrs. Tina Werner's fall from heights which occurred on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. in particular, 1 was asked to determine the root cause of the accident and contributory causes and to render an opinion on the adequacy of training provided to participants prior to entering the course, the personal safety system used by participants, and operational procedures. My experience qualifications are outlined in my curriculum vitae in Appendix G. SUMMARY On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, Mrs. Tina Werner, a 59 years old female from Felton, Dela_?_ by her friend,?a 61?year old male from Dover, Delaware, visited Go Ape Ind State Park located at 1042 Home? School Road in Bear, Delaware to participate in the zip line dventure course. The pair attended a Safety Briefing led by Go Ape a'pp'roir'imately 40- 50 minutes. At approximately 2:30pm, after having completed 5 ladder ascents, 15 crossings, and nes, Mrs. Werner fell 35 feet from the elevated platform to the ground. Go Ape staff responded to calls fdrihei'p whistle blasts. They found Mrs. Werner face down at the base of the tree 395). 911 was called by land the local emergency action plan was enacted. Attempts to revive Mrs. Werner by Go Ape _'r5'on'ri_el, and paramedics were unsuccessful. She died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries sustained Edit of ii FINDINGS An on-site review of the course, personal safety system, company policies and procedures participa training was conducted on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. Based on my review of the materials available it inspection r? -- . . ?it? adventuretraining marketingsoiutions of the personal safety equipment worn by Mrs. Werner and a traverse of the course to the point of incident, i have concluded the following: 1. Course design and equipment are in alignment with applicable standards for chailenge courses, zip lines, and aerial adventure parks; 2. Course procedures and documentation meet appiicable standards; 3. Training provided to Mrs. Werner prior to entering the course was sufficient and met industry-accepted practices; 4. The personal safety equipmentwharness, lanyards, carabiners and trolleywworn by Mrs. Werner was in good working order and within manufacturer guidelines for use at the time of incident; and 5. The flexible lifeline system?a horizontai, overhead wire rope that Spans tree?to?tree above each crossing and platform anchor (referred to in the participant safety briefing as the ?red safety line") which wraps around the treewwas in proper working order at the time of incident. Based on my anaiysis of the information and materials available, i have concluded that the primary cause of incident was participant error. Fail from heights is an inherent hazard and risk of participating in adventure sports like zip iining and treetop trekking which cannot be removed without significantly altering the nature of the activity and despite a reasonable effort of the course Operator. The importance of following operating procedures and the requirement to "stay attached at all times? is repeated throughout the Go Ape experience in writing, orally during the safety briefing, and by signage at each transfer point. The processes and procedures employed by Go Ape at Lums ?ond State Park are well-conceived, meet applicable industry standards and industry~accepted practices, and are effective in their implementation as evidenced by their safety record. This is the first incident of its kind for the company in the U.S. METHODOLOGY A site visit was conducted on Tuesday, August 30, 2015. was met on-site by_ Go Ape Head of Operations, and?Go Ape Area Manager responsible for oversight of the Lums Pond location. A walk-through of the facility and a ground tour of the course, including investigation of the incident site, was conducted. completed a review of Go Ape documentation, including the Cabin Log and reservation information for August 24, 2016, operating procedures, risk management plans, equipment maintenance and inspection logs, course inspection and maintenance logs, and participant training and safety briefing systems. A visit was made to the local Delaware State Police office to meet with? - and to formally inspect the personal safety equipment worn by Mrs. Werner at the time of incident. A video of a summary examination of the equipment was taken following a more formal and detailed examination of each piece of equipment. Photos of the personai safety equipment are available in Appendix C. Upon return to the site, i was outfitted with participant equipment and traversed the course with following the path that Mrs. Werner is understood to have taken. Before entering the course, i observed a thorough Safety Briefing. Because a Go Ape instructor with experience simiiar to_ the second?year instructor which led the briefing for Mrs. Werner, was not avaiiable, I watched a video of the Participant Safety Briefing. The video is part of the formal oniine training program completed by each Go Ape instructor. An informai inspection of the trees, course structure, and elements was conducted during the traverse. Measurements were taken at random aiong the route to determine the toierances of the course and ?exible iifeiine system. Video and still images of the course taken during my traverse. Some of the images are inciuded in Appendix E. Foiiowing the traverse of Sites 1 through 4, reviewed witness statements and additionai Go Ape documentation of the incident. Copies of some of the documents reviewed are included in the Appendices herein. Since safety briefings are standardized between Go Ape courses, 1 visited Go Ape Stream Run Reservation iocated at 16200 Vaiiey Parkway, OH 44136 at 1:00pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 and recorded a participant safety briefing. MATERIALS REVIEWED IN PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT The foiiowing materiais were reviewed in preparation of this report: I Site Visit Staff Development Systems I Go Ape Lums Pond ?Tuesday, August 30, I Oniine eLearning Portal 2015 from 9303?? to I Staff Training Documents I Go Ape Stream Run Wednesday, August 31, 2015 from 1:10pm to 1:45pm inspection of PPE worn by Mrs. Werner at time of incident Go Ape Lu ms Pond Operating Documents for August 24, 2016 - Cabin Log II Checiein Roster/ Reservation System 'i August 24, 2016 12:00pm RostEr Go Ape Documentation and Reports I Emergency Action Pian Risk Management Plan Harness Register I PPE Documents and Technicai Specifications I PPE inspections and Equipment Logs I Technical inspection Report October 23, 2015 b_ of Vertic? Alps Expertise Course Design Documents I Course Map and Design Drawings II Aitus Cataiog of Activities I Course Layout I Training Agendas Conversations with Go Ape Head of Operations Go Ape Area Manager I Go Ape USA Managing Director Ir Deiaware State Poiice? - I Delaware State Police? Lums Pond State Park Personnei Appiicabie Standards 1* 034016 Chailenge Courses and Canopy Zip Line Tours Standards - ASTM F2959-15 Standard Practice for Aerial Adventure Courses. 3 r. a Witness Statements Go Ape Staff Witness Statements Go Ape Participants . a a . - Witness Statements Non?participants DETAILED FINDINGS Course design and equipment are in alignment with appiicabie standards for chaiienge courses, zip ?nes, and aeriai adventure parks As with most states, chaiienge courses, zip lines, and aerial adventure parks are not formaiiy reguiated in the State of Deiaware. This is not to say that there are not standards or duties expected of course operators. The standards in the U.S. market for zip lines and aeriai adventure parks are 03-2016 Chailenge Courses and Canopy Zip Line Tours Standards and ASTM Standard Practice for Aerial Adventure Courses. Current standards require the course to be inspected by a quaiified third-party at ieast once per year and for a system of periodic monitoring by a qualified person to be enacted. This includes ore-use inspection of the equipment and course daily before each use. Prior to entering the course, I confirmed inspection records and maintenance logs for the course and personai safety equipment were present and avaiiable. Course documents from the original designer/instaiier, Aitus (a known internationai course buiider with more than 150 courses buiids in 15 countries) were present aiong with annual, third party inspections. The test third-party inspection was compieted b_ of Vertic? Aips Expertise on October 23, 2015. Records showing pre-use inspection and monthiy/ periodic monitoring of the course and equipment were present. My findings are based on the information presented in the inspection report dated October 23, 2015; the traverse i made through the course on August 30, 2016 with? Go Ape Head of Operations, my examination of records kept by Go Ape documenting pie?use inspections and monthiy inspections, and design documents provided to Go Ape by the originai designer and instaiier, Altos of Scientrier, France. ?4 i i3 a He- Findings which varied from common U.S. industry?accepted practices were sufficiently documented in the design plans provided by Aitus. I found the course to be impressively simple (a difficult task when installing elements in a forest of trees which are often irregular in shape and size) and well?built with tight tolerances for height of the life safety systems, element attachments, and platform construction. The life safety system was purposefully coloncoded to facilitate participant equipment transfers and to reduce the risk of inadvertent transfers to non?critical cables or support elements. Signs were present throughout the course to remind participants of the importance of always staying attached and to provide direction where necessary. Significant attention to detail was paid in the design, placement, and maintenance of the signage and layout of the course. The equipment used by participants includes: Petzl Panji sit harness I Cilao Akro Longe color?coded dual?leg, rope lanyard system i? 2 Petal Vertigo auto?locking carabiners Yeiiow signs in the shape of a triangle that read "Al?tuays stay attached" are secured directly above all transfers from the crossing line to the red safety line. Proper connection points are denoted by the color red wthe color of the iacl-tet safety line that participants clip into while on a platform and the color of the red bumper on the horizontal safety line which spans from treeatqtree over eacl?i crossing. Climbing Technology Duetto, dual~sheave zip line trolley with custom lanyard to prevent accidental equipment drops {not-rated as PPE) I Petzi Voitige chest harness (optional) I D~shaped, 10mm Mallion Rapide The equipment has been designed and is marketed specificaily for use in aerial adventure parks like the Go Ape Lums Pond course. It complies with applicable standards for quality assurance testing and rated Technical specification sheets for the equipment are included in Appendix C. Maintenance records were organized, thorough, and easily accessible. Based on my examination of the records, Go Ape is compliant with the necessary ongoing maintenance required to operate the course. in my opinion, as a certified inspector, the course and systems which are currently in use at Go Ape Lums Pond are in alignment with applicable standards and industry-accepted practices. The course and equipment were not contributory to the accident. Sleage Course procedures and documentation meet applicable standards Written into the current applicable standards is the requirement for technical inspections of the course and asspciated safety equipment by a qualified third-party inspector on a schedule to be set by the manufacturer, but not less than once per annum, and guidelines for periodic and pre?use inspections. The standard for operational review/program audit by an external, quaiified person(s) is at least once every five (5) years (ANSIXACCT {33?2016 Chapter 2, 8.2.7, p. 28). My review of Go Ape Lums Pond produced a series of re?ned procedures, written documentation, and staff development systems which are second to none in the market. The company?s documents were thorough, organized, and appropriate for the systems they employed. The procedures and written documentation are in alignment with current 03-2016 Operating Standards and industryaaccepted practices. i did not find that procedures employed at the course were contributory to the accident. Training provided to Mrs. Werner prior to entering the course was sufficient and met industry- accepted practices Prior to entering the course, participants at Go Ape complete the following steps: 1. Read, complete, and sign a document titted ?Ruies of Participation, Assumption of Risk 8t Release of Claims?. The document is professionally printed and each copy is individually numbered. Scans of the agreements completed by Mrs. Werner and?on August 24, 2016 are included in Appendix A. The document presents the rules for participation and legal concepts in easy~to~read language. in addition to warning participants of the inherent risks of participation, it twice reinforces the ruie, "You must be attached to the safety system with at least one safety fine at all times when above the ground" in prominent, bold print. 2. Pre?briefing. Before beginning the formal briefing, participants are introduced to the safety equipment and they are harnessed by a trained instructor. The instructor checks each harness prior to introducing the course. Participants are led to a smail practice area on the ground consisting of a crossing cable between two trees, red safety lines around each tree, and a simulated transfer to a Tarzan Swing. Participants are first asked to foliow signs posted at each transfer point to 3) learn to usa the equipment and b) to reinforce the importance of reading safety signs. Each participant must make the traverse. An instructor assists with coaching and instruction as needed. 3. Safety Briefing. Prior to starting the formai briefing, the instructor radios in the start time and number of participants in attendance. The formal briefing begins with a legal disclaimer which must be memorized and repeated verbatim by each instructor. A copy of the procedures and processes for ieading the briefing is included in Appendix D. The instructor then works through the same ground course as completed by the participants offering additional information and asking questions of participants to ensure comprehension and reinforce key points. 4. Site 1. Before continuing to Site 1, the instructor radios in that the group is proceeding to Site 1. Along the way, there is a short presentation on how to use the key lock to access the course. Each section of the course is secured by a fenced area, or stockade, which can oniy be accessed by key lock. This system prevents participants who have not compieted the training from accessing the course. 6 i? a Site 1 consists of three elements: a ladder climb, platformdoapiatform crossing and a zip line. The instructor ascends the ladder climb, transfers to the red safety line, transfers to the crossing, and then transfers back to a red safety line to demonstrate and reinforce the procedures. Once the instructor has reached the platform before the zip line, a volunteer makes the traverse and demonstrates the zip line. Each participant must make the same traverse and demonstrate comprehension of the procedures before proceeding to Site 2. Once all participants complete the process, the instructor exits the course by the zip line, cleans and resets the area, and places a call to the office to record the time. The process of training participants before they enter the course is formal and consistent. in my expert opinion, it is the most comprehensive and honest process 1 have witnessed. Go Ape does not shy away from presenting, in clear terms, the risks that are involved in participating in the course, including the risk of serious injury or death. Participants who do not wish to continue past the Safety Briefing are presented the opportunity to return to the office and receive a refund. The participant training process is repetitive and utilizes multiple instructional techniques including but not limited to interactive demonstrations, coaching, instruction, signage, and hands-on activity. Catchy phrases like ?Blue to blue, all the way through? are used to remind participants that the blue?colored lanyard must always be connected to the trolley which is also blue in color. During the training, participants are provided multiple opportunities to practice the skills that they will need on the course and are frequently reminded to ?Always stay attached?. The training and safety briefing process is repeated across Go Ape courses. During my inspection, i watched a training video of the procedures for pro-briefing, briefing, and completing Site 1. The process matched exactly the training I observed the following day at the Go Ape course at Mill Stream Run Reservation near Cleveland, Ohio and the Safety Briefing I had participated in previously at the Go Ape course at North Park near Pittsburgh, The system Go Ape uses to train instructors to present the Safety Briefing and pre~course training is extremely thorough. it includes a combination of online learning classes and instructor-led presentations. Once training is complete, Go Ape instructors are formally reviewed on a regular basis to ensure consistency of presentation. Record of each instructor?s training, assessment, and formal reviews are documented and kept on-site. The training received by participants is complimentary with course design. While each tree/transfer on the course has somewhat different characteristics (Le. the diameter of the tree, azimuth of the approaching and departing crossings, type of crossings, elevation of platform above the ground, etc}, the consistency of design (Le. placement of signs, color-coding of materials, height of the crossing cables, position of the red safety line, etc.) is excellent. The safety briefing area and Site 1 course are consistent with what participants will encounter throughout the course. As such, transference of practices from the pre-briefing, safety briefing, and Site 1 is extremely high. it is my expert Opinion that training provided to Go Ape participants exceeds practices. it is one of the most consistent and detailed processes I have witnessed in the market. Further, it is my opinion that the training is sufficient to provide participants the skills necessary to use the safety equipment and safely complete the course. 7 i?aga The personal safety equipment (harness, lanyards, carabiners and trolley} worn by Mrs. Warner was in good working order and within manufacturer guidelines for use at the time of incident and was not causal to the incident Inspection of the personal safety equipment worn by Mrs. Werner on August 24, 2016 revealed that the lanyards and equipment had been removed from Mrs. Werner by paramedics who cut the webbing with EMT shears. The cuts from the shears were clean and easily discerned from normal wear, or even accidental damage. A thorough inspection confirmed that the equipment was in reasonably good working condition and that there was no evidence of malfunction, unusual wear, or damage that might have led to equipment failure. Here is a summary of findings. I Petzl Panji sit harness. Go Ape lD LP022. The harness was first put into use in June 2013. Overall, the webbing was in good condition. There was no sign of signi?cant fraying or abrasions. The cuts made by the EMT shears were clean and obvious. The stitching was present and in good condition. The leg loops were easily adjusted and secured. The harness ha rd?point was intact and showed no signs of fatigue or damage. The whistle pocket was attached and the whistle was present. The harness was within manufacturer guidelines and duty cycle. I Ciiao Akro Longe color-coded, dual-leg, rope lanyard system. Go Ape ll) LPOZZ. The rope lanyards were first put into use in February 2015. The lanyards were properly secured to the Panji harness using a girth hitch. The rope was in good shape. There was no evidence of unusual wear or damage to the sheath, core, or sewn loops. identifying tags were present and readable. Red and blue sheaths were visible and easily discernable. The lanyards were within manufacturer guidelines and duty cycle. I Petzl Vertigo auto-locking carabiners (2). The gates of both carabiners opened, closed, and latched without fail. The spring was strong and effective. identifying information for each carabiner was recorded. Color coding of the gates (blue and red) was clear. Discernable wear was present in the basket (the prominent bend in the carabiner where the carabiner sits on the cable or connects to a mailion rapide) of both carabiners. The wear was not significant enough to warrant the equipment unserviceable or to require retirement. The carabiners were within manufacturer guidelines and duty cycle. II Climbing Technology Duetto, dual?sheave zip line trolley with custom lanyard. The trolley was in good-working condition and showed normal signs of wear for its age. The custom aluminum horns attached to the top of the trolley to hold the red Vertigo carabiner during crossing were present and secured. The custom lanyard which is not part of the personal safety system but designed to prevent participants from dropping the trolley was cut by EMT shears. it was otherwise in reasonable working condition. The trolley was within manufacturer guidelines and duty cycle. D-shaped, 10mm Mallion Rapids. The mallion rapide was painted green. identifying information was present and readable. The gate was securely fastened. There were no signs of unusual wear. Based on my experience as an inspector and my review of the personal safety equipment used by Mrs. Werner, there is no evidence to suggest that the equipment was causal in the accident. in fact, my findings would suggest that the lanyards were not secured to the life safety system (either the overhead, horizontal wire rope known as the "crossing cable? or the red safety line which wraps around the tree) at the time of the incident. BIPage The flexible lifeline systemw?a horizontal, overhead wire rope that spans tree~to?tree above each crossing and platform anchor (referred to in the participant safety briefing as the "red safety line?) which wraps around the treewwas in proper working order and not causal to the incident A review of the life safety system attached to the platform between the Plank Crossing and Zip Line at the end of Site 4 was conducted on August 30, 2016. All components of the system were in proper working order and met applicable standards. It Overhead wire rope which spans the crossing for the Plank Crossing activity. The wire rope was appropriate and in reasonable condition. The tension on the wire rope was within standard parameters. Terminations on both ends of the crossing showed no sign of damage or cable slip. The red buffers which cover the terminations were present and in good condition. The height of the cable was consistent with other termination heights at 63.5 inches above the deck. Blocking around the tree which was installed to prevent the cable from damaging the tree was present and in reasonable condition. I Red safety line around the tree. The red, jacketed wire rope anchor that wraps around the tree was properly secured and showed no signs of unusual wear. The jacket was in good shaped. There were no signs of fatigue, slipping, or cracking. The wire rope clips were securely and properly attached. The lowest point of the cable was 37 inches above the deck which was consistent with other loops on the course. Signs. The yellow triangle sign which warns participants to "Always stay attached? was present and secured just above the horizontal life line which spans the crossing. The element crossing sign (in this case, a zip line) was present and secured just above the zip line cable. All other connections associated with the incoming element, referred to as ?Plank Crossing?, and the outgoing element, ?Zip Line?, were in good working condition and in alignment with applicable standards. The deck was secure and in good condition. Based on the findings of my inspection of the course components in the area of the fall and a lack of evidence showing that a component of the life safety system failed, i must rule out that the fall was caused by an equipment malfunction or failure. SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS My professional conclusion is that the systems employed by Go Ape are thorough, well-conceived, and simple in design. The procedures each participant must follow prior to entering the course?Pre-Briefing, Safety Briefing and Site immeet industry-approved practices and provide sufficient training. The information provided to participants in written agreement before the training, orally during the safety briefing, and on signs situated throughout the course neither hides nor down plays the risks of participation. Further, the need for participants to ?always stay attached? is repeatedly stressed. The participant equipment, training, and course design at Go Ape are in alignment with industryeccepted practices and applicable standards. The company?s execution of processes, procedures, and documentation are among the most comprehensive and exacting which I have observed in the market. Further, the tight design tolerances on the course, unique color-coding of equipment and anchors, and professional signage make learning to use the personal safety equipment simple and routine. Biliage- My inspection of the personal safety equipment used by Mrs. Werner on August 261, 2016 showed that the equipment was in good working condition. There were no signs of damage or indications that the equipment may have maifunctioned or faiied. My inspection of the course, life safety system, and signage in the area of the incident aiso revealed systems which were well-maintained and in good working order. These findings support the conclusion that Mrs. Werner was not attached at the time of her fail. The root cause of her fali and subsequent injuries which resulted in death was operator error. These conciusions are further supported b_ a participant on the course in close proximity to Mrs. Werner, who stated to Go Ape instructors that she saw that Mrs. Werner was not connected just before she fell. While accidents like these are unfortunate, participating in adventure sports iike zip lining and treetop trekking is inherently dangerous. Courses iike the zip line and treetop adventure at turns Pond inciude inherent risks and hazards that cannot be otherwise removed without changing the nature of the activity. Go Ape repeatediy reminds participants of these risks and hazards in writing, orally, and through visual dispiays. The need to aiways stay attached is reinforced over and over throughout the experience. Mrs. Werner accepted these risks when she read and signed the Rules for Participation, Assumption of Risk 8: Release of Claims document. She was provided opportunities to change her mind foiiowing the disciaimer portion of the Safety Briefing and on Site 2 when she was assisted by a Go Ape instructor. in both cases, she chose to continue and proceed forward. it is my firm recommendation that Go Ape not rush to any conclusions or make reactionary adjustments to their system as consequence of this accident. The current systems and procedures which Go Ape has created have been time?tested and, in my expert opinion, are extremely well thought out, effective at mitigating risk, and are in alignment with current applicable standards and industry-accepted practices. 3i: It $4 i! 1k The opinions expressed herein are based on my understanding of the materials provided to me; my visit to Go Ape Lums Pond on August 30, 2016, my significant experience in the chaiienge course and commerciai aerial adventure park market as a guide, operator, trainer, inspector, installer, and designer; and my education in training, organizational practices, and wilderness leadership. I reserve the right to amend and/or supplement this report based on new information and findings. Signed, Michael R. Smith Dated: September 7, 2016 EDI-eage- 243:4- Pieasant View Dr. Rochester Mi 48306 (248) 48142558 office (.248) 212-1307!) fax adventuresrnithinocom R. SMITH Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/adventuresmith Email: Mobiie: Skvpe: Websites: adventuresmithinccom, arbortrek.com, zipwlinescom PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Michael R. Smith has more than twenty-two years of experience in the challenge course industry as a builder, manager, trainer, and business consultant to AdventureSmith, inc. and hoids degrees in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College [1998) and Training and Deveiopment from Oakland University (2004). He has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies as a business consultant, authored and published climbing guides, worked as a Chief Field Instructor for the Outward Bound School, and manages a consultancy tracking trends and offering management and business solutions to aerial adventure park and zip line canopy tour operators. Since 2009, Smith has served as the President of ArborTrek Canopy Adventures, LLC, an aerial adventure park operator located in ieffersonville, Vermont with locations in Northern Vermont and Central Tennessee whose tours have been recognized with the following accolades: I One of the "20 Best Zipiine Courses in the USA Today One of the "World's Coolest Zip Lines", Travel Leisure 2012 Editor?s Choice for Best of New England, Yankee Magazine "One of the Best Wilderness Zip Line Tours in the Outside Magazine?s Adventure Adviser It "10 Thrilling Zip Lines Around the World?, The Weather Channel I Five-star user rating for six consecutive years, TripAdvisor 2016 Excellence in ?ion risrn Promotion, Upper Cumberland Business Journal Smith oversees all business functions at Arborirek which include but are-notsili?rnit: development, and operation of aerial adventure parks and traditional challenge including but not limited to zip line canopy tours, aerial trekking courses, traditio consultant to Director of Special Projects. Founded by a group of professionals in educati and organizational development who shared a common interest in the benefits of advent S.T.E.P.S., inc. grew to be the largest provider of adventure education services in Southeas' in 2005, S.T.E.P.S., inc. became an early leader in the emerging zip iine canopy tour marketE marketingsolutione Canada. During his 15 years at S.T.E.P.S., Smith trained hundreds of facilitators and guides, designed and developed more than 14 commercial adventure parks and dozens of traditional courses in the 0.5, and Canada, consulted on numerous commercial and traditional projects, and oversaw the delivery of programming to more than 200,000 participants. Projects that he helped to bring to market have served more than 2 million participants. In addition to the aforementioned roles, Smith has maintained a niche consultancy, AdventureSmith, lnc., focused on marketing, business consulting, and staff development systems for the ace?adventure market. Ranging from the publication of climbing guides to the development and maintenance of an online directory designed to track the growth of the zip line market, AdventureSmith, inc. has been active in business development and marketing strategies and has provided support to many commercial and non- commercial challenge courses, zip lines, and aerial adventure parks in the 0.5. and Canada. Other relevant experience includes four extended summers as a mountaineering and field instructor for the Outward Bound School, swift-water and high?angle rescue training, technical rock guiding, mountaineering, and experience in designing, leading and evaluating organizational development interventions and change processes. Smith currently serves as a Board of Director Member for the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) and is a participating member on ASTM F2461 sub- committee which oversees the development and maintenance of ASTM Standard Practice for Special Requirements for Aerial Adventure Courses. Additional areas of expertise include expert witness consulting, technical inspections of challenge courses, commercial and traditional course program audits, and production of custom operation manuals. He is adept at publication design and layout, graphic design, illustration, and multiple web-site authoring tools. ACCOMPLISHMENTS ArborTrek Canopy Adventures, LLC 0.5. Canada 2010 present including 2 operating subsidiaries President/Owner Control all business operations including supervision of more than 60 seasonal employees and 8 to 12 full~time, yeanround employees I Responsible for strategic planning and brand growth through product systemization, research and development, standardization, and partner relations Oversee the operation and business development of ArborTrek?licensed and owned aerial adventure park and zip line canopy tour facilities AdventureSmith, inc. Rochester Hills, Nil 2000 present President/Owner Control all business operations including supervision of employees and subcontractors Provide business-to?business services to established and prospective aerial adventure park and canopy tour operators including business planning, site feasibility, market research, operations management, course design and layout, curriculum and program design, operation reviews, and guide training ZlPage 1' Engage in expert witness and loss control consulting projects I Moderate Zipline Nirvana a community resource for zip line canopy tour and aerial adventure park enthusiasts I Researched, authored, and published Climber?s Guide to Prescott, a 114spage route guide providing technical information and photo topographs of adventure climbing routes in the local area. S.T.E.P.S., inc. wAnn Arbor, MI Director of Projects, Marketing and Installation Standards 8: Compliance 2000 August 2009 I Commercialized and marketed internal management and training systems to create an external consulting business focused on the needs of challenge courses and canopy tours initiated and directed the transformation of S.T.E.P.S. from a local, single-site challenge course management company of limited services to a nationally-recognized provider of challenge course services ranging from adventure programming to challenge course design and installation, staff training, and business development consulting Co~authored Facilitator?s Guide to Adventure Challenge Programming?; a customizable ropes course facilitation manual, and Guide?s Guide to Canopy Tour Programming?, the first comprehensive manual aimed at managing canopy tour operations in the United States 1* Developed the Joe Dumars? Team and Leadership Center and consulted on the development of numerous other experiential education programs and canopy tours throughout the United States and Mexico, providing business consulting, program design, and staff development services Conducted external review of operations for dozens of experiential training and canopy tour operations, assessing risk management strategies, training systems, and program effectiveness 1" Designed and implemented a web marketing strategy on a limited budget that Was responsible for increasing challenge courses sales by nearly $500,000 in the first year Director of Corporate Training 1998 September 2006 Project management and program coordination for the delivery of one-day and multi?day experiential education programs that consistently achieved repeat business and high ratings Negotiated long~term and short-term training contracts with local and national corporations including General Motors, KPMG, Ernst 8: Young and Kmart Challenge Course Facilitator/Trainer 1995 May 2003 instructed adventure?based team workshops for more than eight hundred professional groups, schools, and community organizations I Designed and delivered custom teacher education workshops focused on incorporating adventure education and experiential education into the school Led multi~day challenge course and canopy tour training programs focused on risk management, technical skill development, and education theory Outward Bound Wilderness Redmond Summer 1999 2004 Field Chief instructor I Responsible for the design and delivery of 14- to 30-day whitewater rafting, mountaineering, and backpacking trips in Oregon and Washington aimed at fostering an appreciation for the natural 3li>age world, leadership and character development. Programs ranged from student groups age 14 and up to adult professionals I Managed course progress and instructor development through on-going mentoring and coaching sessions EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS I Master of Training and Development (MTD), Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan, 2004 intense focus on human resource development and organization change initiatives using instructor-led and web?based delivery platforms, instructional design techniques, and evaluation practices; concentration in the use of experiential?based training and development in teaching lean manufacturing practices I Bachelor of Arts, Wilderness Leadership, Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona, 1998 Emphasis on risk management in multiple high~adventure environments including but not limited to vertical rope rescue, whitewater and flatwater paddling, alpine and rock mountaineering, and remote wilderness environments; breadth in socio-cultural studies I Graduate, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Lander, Wyoming, 3.997 Leadership development, small group dynamics, and expeditionary travel in alpine mountain, vertical rock, and desert canyon environments ACCT Level and Level ii Professional Inspector Certification #5173920 exp. 4/22/17 Ii TSSA Limited Scope Zip tine Mechanic li0000626 exp. 11/2015 OSHA 10-hour in Construction Safety and Health ?#30~00395073 completed 2/8/2012 5 Wilderness First Responder expired I Red Cross Community First Aid CPR AED exp. 7/2013 3" Michigan Class 8 Commercial Driver License TRADE ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS I Association for Challenge Course Technology, Board Member (term: 2/2014 2/2017) ASTM F24.61(Adventure Attractions) Subcommittee Participant I Professional Ropes Course Association, General Member I international Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Johnson College President?s Round Table Member Numerous local chambers and destination management organizations in Vermont and Tennessee rili?age SELECT PUBLICATIONS Smith, Michael (2000)- A Climber?s Guide to Prescott, AZ. Detroit: Self Published. Smith, Michael R. (2004). A Facilitator?s Guide to Adventure Challenge Programming. Detroit. Self? Published. Petrozzi, Mark St. 8: Smith, Michael R. (2015, February). Managing Risk. Adventure Park insider, February 2015. Smith, Michael R. (2015). Three Steps Operators Should Take Now to improve Program Qualitv and Reduce Risk. Association for Challenge Course Technology: Parallel Lines, 15 (3), pp. 8,15. Smith, Michael R. (2015). Why! Don't Have a Zip Line in My Backyard. October 26, 2015. Smith, Michael R. (2015). Preparing for Program Accreditation. Association for Challenge Course Technologv: Parallel Lines, 15 (4). PP- 8?9. Smith, Michael R. (2016). How Sound is Your Operation? Adventure Park Insider, 2 (2), pp. 28-34. SELECT PRESENTATIONS Smith, Michael R. ?Low Prop and No Prop Adventure Games for Socials Workers." Michigan Social Workers Conference (MASSW). Grand Rapids, MI. October 17, 2003 Smith, Michael R. ?Games Trainers Play." Training and Development, Oakland University. Rochester Hills, 2004. Smith, Michael R. "Adventure?based Consulting An Approach to Developing Personnel during a Shift to a Lean Manufacturing Environment.? Oakland University School of Business/Paulev institute. Rochester Hills, MI April 2004. Smith, Michael R. ?Low Prop I No Prop Group initiatives and Adventure Games.? Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Heartland Regional Conference. Missouri. 2004. Smith, Michael R. "Low Prop! No Prop Group initiatives and Adventure Games.? Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Heartland Regional Conference. 2005. Jacobs, Keith 8L Smith, Michael R. "Marketing 101 for Adventure Educators.? Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Heartland Regional Conference. illinois. 2005. Smith, Michael R. 8: task force group. "Canopy Tour Task Force.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Portland, OR. 2003. Smith, Michael R. ?Staff~based Competency Models for Challenge Course Operators.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Portland, OR. 2008. Smith, Michael R. ?Trends and Statistics: Zip Line Canopy Tour and Aerial Adventure Parks.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Minneapolis, MN. 2011. Smith, Michael R. ?Current Trends and Statistics: Zip Line Canopy Tour and Aerial Adventure Parks.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Boston, MA. 2012. Smith, Michael R. 8: Holmes, Gene. ?Physics of Zip Lines.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Boston, MA. 2012. SlPage I Smith, Michael R. at Stock, Donald. ?Riding the Wave of Adventure.? Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Las Vegas, NV. 2013. I Smith, Michael R. ?Consolidate This." Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) Conference. Orlando, FL. 2014. I Smith, Michael R., Azram, Bahman, Jacobs, Keith. ?Panel Discussion on Aerial Adventure Parks and Zip Lines.? Ski Area Management Summer Opps Conference. Camelback Mountain Resort, PA. 2015. Smith, Michael R. ?Preparing for Program Accreditation.? Association for Challenge Course Technology Conference. Lost Pines, TX. 2016. PATENTS None EXPERT WITNESS REPORTS, TESTIMONY JOSEPH P. N, Plaintiff, v. PARK AT MAGIC, LLC AND CORPORATE CHALLENGE, ENC. ADVENTURE MAS, Defendants Vermont, 2015 DODGE, Plaintiff, v. GRAFTON ADVENTURES, LLC and MICHAEL QUINN, Defendantw 2016 I WHITNEY REARICK and DAVID Piaintiffs, v. LEGACY MOUNTAIN LLC, Defendant?? Tennessee, 2016 MAJOR PROJECTS as?; snags; -. Trainingi? . . .. - .- segment -. i112 Association for Lead developer of ACCT Program Accreditation Challenge Course To be rolled out in 2017 Technology Partnership with The Adventure Guild, LLC, an v/ Fall Creek Falls 5? ACCT Design, build, operate. Tsuelement Spencer, TN aerial adventure park on land leased from the State of Tennessee at Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee?s largest and most visited state par. i ROB-present) ArborTrelernegglers? Joint venture with Smugglers? Notch Resort: v/ Notch Resort Design, build, operate. Zip Line Canopy Tour Jeffersonviile, VT {2010}, 75+ element Treetop Obstacle Course {2013}, Climbing Adventure (2013), Adventure? based Team Building {2014) i (mm-present) Eli?age sheveiopment Long Point Eco- Adventures - St. Williams, 0N First zip line canopy tour in Ontario; first zip line to pass through the TSSA {zoos-present} ZipZag Grand Falls, NB Two-tog, dual zip iine tour in Grand Falls, New Brunswick over the Falls: Design and business consulting, staff development 1 (2010) S.T.E.P.S., inc. Ann Arbor, MI Director of Program Development, Marketing, and Installation Standards and Compliance {1994~present} See list ofmonoged sites and projects below. Lake Geneva Canopy Tours Lake Geneva, WI Zip line canopy tour and racing zip ride. Provided business consulting, course design, and project guidance. Transition from S.T.E.P.S. to ArborTrek before build complete. i {2010) Tree Tops Canopy Tours Aimes Heights, WV Zip line canopy tour with focus on protecting the Eastern Hemlock {2099 - 2010) Bretton Woods Canopy Tour - Bretton Woods, NH Zip line canopy tour and racing zip ride opened in 2008 i canopy?tour} overview {20052010} Buffalo Valley Canopy Tour {private} La Honda, CA Largest known private zip line canopy tour and aeriai adventure course in the United States. r.htrn! {2008) ?x Camp Mendocino High Ropes Course, Climbing Wall {2099) Fort Bragg, CA Redwoods Canopy First zip line canopy tour in coastal redwoods Tour Mount Hermon, CA {zoos-2010} Zipline Korea Seoul, Korea Feasibility and design consulting, program development {2008} Alaska Canopy Adventures Ketchikan and Juneau, AK installed three zip line canopy tours One of the largest operators in U.S. {2005-2009} Hocking Hills Canopy Tours Rockbridge, OH One of the largest and most successful zip line canopy tours in the United States i installed 2007s 08 {2007-2009} Cypress Valley Canopy Tours - Spicewood, TX First commercial zip line canopy tour in the continental United States [2005); added aerial trekkinngODE} {20052011} Clip-age Camp Tamarack Fresh Air Society Ortonville, Mi - Program . new neat. Course management, design and instaiiation, inspection, program development with S.T.E.P.S., Inc. I {1994-2004) easement - Joe Dumars? Team Stieadership Center Shelby, MI Team and ieadership program development, online marketing, training {2003?2008) S.T.E.P.S. Managed Sites Between 2094 and 2011, assisted S.T.E.P.S., Inc. as an employee and principal in management of the following locations: Tamarack Outdoor Education Center {0rtonvil?e, Ml} II Joe Dumars' Team and Leadership Center {Shelby Township, MI and Detroit, Mi} Walied Lake Outdoor Education Center [Waliecl Lake, ME) I Camp Ozanam (Lexington, I Camp Echo Grove (Leonard, Camp Lakeland (Buffalo, No longer exists Other Commercial Tour Consultation Projects Between 2008 and present, Smith has provided business pianning and design consulting to dozens of business, working to pair them with the correct builder and to deveiop their programs. Some of these proiects include: Boston, Massachusetts Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Chico, California I Bruce Peninsula, Ontario Toronto, Ontario Bushkili, College Station, - Poughkeepsie, New York II Roanoke, Virginia - Fort Myers, Florida I Branson, Missouri Houston, Texas It Portland, Oregon II San Antonio, Texas 1* Columbus, Ohio Chillicothe, Ohio I US Virginlslands Antigua; Guatemala 1' Zion, Utah 1' Hilton Head, South Carolina Gatlinburg, Tennessee Denver, Colorado Walled Lake, Michigan I Cabo, Mexico 1' Lexington, Kentucky Poconos, I Marietta and Buckhead,Georgia - Grafton, illinois Smoky Mountains, Tennessee