Jim Grout

Founding Director

Jim is a veteran of more than 30 years in the adventure education field and has trained thousands of people in the art of adventure facilitation. High 5 was founded in 2000 as an educational organization to help people develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “We’re not just jumping around in trees,” he says. The focus at High 5, he said, is to improve communication and relationships among the wide variety of groups they work with. He also wears an administrative hat and works with his staff to make sure that they meet the needs of their clients while enjoying what they do. “I care about everyone here. It’s a family atmosphere.” High 5, he said, “is a place for people to do work that they love in an exciting environment.” When it comes to programming, Jim’s extensive knowledge and avid commitment to the power of adventure education are evident throughout High 5’s programs. “We focus on developing the individual and the team.”

He presents regularly at AEE, Association for Experiential Education, ACCT, Association for Challenge Course Technology and AAHPERD, American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conferences, regionally and nationally, and served on the Certification Standards Committee of the Association for Challenge Course Technology. He has co-authored two books on adventure education, “The High 5 Guide: Challenge Course Operating Procedures for the Thinking Practitioner” with Nicki Hall and “Back Pocket Adventure” with Karl Rohnke. He has also written numerous articles for various publications in the field. He holds a Masters in Education from Salem State University in Salem, MA.