Meet the Guides: Tyler Jenkins

Posted: June 17th, 2013 in Guide Bio's, Meet the Guides 2013

Even though he’s seen guests experience the excitement of ziplining at Wolfe Creek Preserve for over one year now, Tyler Jenkins says that his favorite part of working here is still guiding guests through something new and adventurous. Perhaps his interest in helping other people experience adventure comes from the excursions he takes in his own life; Tyler shared that he goes diving in Cozumel annually and that he has traveled to Japan. His desire to explore new places and enjoy the outdoors by participating in various activities are some of the reasons that we love having him here as a guide! We asked Tyler a few questions to get to know more about him:
1. Any advice for people ziplining for the first time? Being hooked up and waiting in the worst part, after a couple feet out on the line its all downhill.
2. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Tall, pale, skinny.
3. Do you play any sports or enjoy any outdoor activities? Camping, climbing, SCUBA diving.
4. What made you want to work for Branson Zipline? I enjoy being outdoors.
5. What are some of your hobbies or interests? Hanging out with friends, programming, video games.
We also asked Tyler what some of his favorite quotes or sayings are and he said “please sir, may I have some more?” from Oliver Twist was one of his favorites. We’re guessing that if you come out and experience a zipline tour with Tyler, you’ll look forward to scheduling in as many zipline tours as you can fit throughout the year because you’ll have so much fun! You should make reservations to come zipline with us as soon as you can because we book up quickly in the summer months, which Tyler says is his favorite season for zipping! Check out our website for a full list of tour options and times that you can sign you and your family or friends up for. We can’t wait to see you zipping at Wolfe Creek Preserve sometime soon!

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Meet the Guides: Ryan Gdovin

Posted: June 15th, 2013 in Guide Bio's, Meet the Guides 2013

Ryan Gdovin has a relaxed and go-with-the-flow attitude about zipline tours at Wolfe Creek Preserve. His motto about ziplining is just to “keep calm and zip on,” a philosophy that we wholeheartedly embrace! With our hands-free braking system, mid-tour snack break, and sweet ride in a Pinzgauer to begin each tour, we fully believe in making ziplining accessible and stress-free for everyone to participate in! We love Ryan’s laid-back attitude about ziplining, and the advice of “no worries” that he offers to guests before they zip. In addition to being worry-free, Ryan is also a sweetheart. When we asked him a few questions about himself, he told us an awesome story about a surprise he planned for his fiancé. Read about it in the interview below!

1. What’s your favorite part about working for Branson Zipline? I really enjoy working at heights.
2. When you’re not ziplining, what activities do you enjoy? Hockey, climbing, motorcycle riding.
3. Are there any special zipline memories that stand out? We had a family BBQ and we invited all of our families out to Zipline. My fiancé came out to zip. When she zipped into my tower I sent her back out on the Zipline and when I went to go retrieve her I had a bouquet of wildflowers that I handed to her before I pulled her back in.
4. What’s your favorite season to zip and why? Fall; cold and cool leaves.
5. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? I am fearless, calm and collected.

We’re so happy to have a guide working with us who is confident that each guest who visits Wolfe Creek Preserve will have a safe and memorable experience! In fact, one of the reasons that Ryan wanted to come work for us was because he loves adventure. Whether you choose to participate in one of our many zipline tours, our night zipline tours, or our hiking adventures, we’re sure that you’ll find an activity on our property that allows you to have fun outdoors in whatever form you like best! With guides like Ryan who care wholeheartedly about making sure each guest feels confident and safe on their adventures, we can’t think of anywhere else where you can create such genuine, special memories with family and friends. Be sure to check out our website for tour options and times so that you can sign up before spaces run out! Ryan and the rest of our guides would love to lead you through the treetops on the tour of a lifetime, and who knows, maybe if you’re lucky you’ll get a wildflower at the end!

 

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Meet the Guides: Julie Krisch

Posted: June 13th, 2013 in Guide Bio's, Meet the Guides 2013

When we asked Julie Krisch to describe herself in three words, she said “laid back, fun, and outdoorsy.” Though we think all of these are true, we’d also like to share that Julie plays an integral role at Wolfe Creek Preserve and we’d describe her as hard-working, passionate about providing the best experience for guests, and extremely well-suited for her role as shift-manager. Julie has been with us since opening day of Wolfe Creek Preserve and we couldn’t be more happy to have her here!
Recently she was promoted to upper management along with Dustin Murtaugh, which means that these two stellar employees are in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so that guests and guides can focus on the easy, breezy act of sailing through the skies instead of worrying about logistics! Dustin and Julie oversee day to day operations and make sure everyone is provided a world class experience. Additionally, they work hard to ensure that our group of guides are of the highest caliber in outdoor experience, safety, and fun! Though third party trainers are brought to teach guides safety protocol, Julie and Dustin work hard to ensure that employees are aware of how to provide the full experience of adventure, outdoor immersion, and memorable excursions that Wolfe Creek Preserve offers! We are so happy to have Julie as a member of our team and we asked her a few questions to get to know her better:
1. What made you want to work for Branson Zipline? I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation so it is right up my alley. I love being outside.  I have always worked at summer camps and as a lifeguard so this job seemed awesome. Here I get to work with all ages.
2. When was your first time ziplining?  I came to BZL the first weekend we were opened and did the Blue Streak and I had an interview the next week.
3. Do you play any sports or enjoy any outdoor activities? I love swimming, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing and hiking. I want to get more into slacklining. I’ve done some snowboarding back home. In high school I played softball and swam competitively. In high school and college I was on competitive cheerleading squads.
4.  What’s your favorite part about working for Branson Zipline?  My coworkers are amazingly hilarious. I love meeting new people from all over the country and watching them step out of their comfort zone. I also love being outdoors.
5.Do you have any favorite quotes or sayings? “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” –Michael Scott
Since Julie’s been here since the beginning, we asked what advice she would give to a first-time zipliner and she said “relax.” Whether it’s your first time ziplining or your one-hundred-and-first, make it a point to come visit Wolfe Creek Preserve sometime soon to experience what Julie’s had the chance to for three years now! Plus, Julie told us that her favorite time to zipline is in the summer at night because it’s warm outside, but not too hot. If you’re not familiar with our night tour options, be sure to check out the tours section of our website to look at available time slots! Our night tours, complete with guides in headlamps, perfect temperatures, and smaller group sizes are perfect for a fun summer-night outdoor activity! All of us here at Wolfe Creek Preserve hope to see you soon so come visit us to embark on your own outdoor adventure!

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Wolfe Creek Wednesday: Father’s Day

Posted: June 12th, 2013 in Wolfe Creek Wednesdays

This post is a part of a series on our blog called “Wolfe Creek Wednesday”. Each Wednesday, we’ll be posting a fun fact, story, or a newsworthy piece of information about Wolfe Creek Preserve that we think you’ll find interesting! Although we’re best known for our world-class zip line course, our beautiful facility is also home to an array of indoor and outdoor activities, rich history, and a natural setting that we take great care to protect. We’re excited to have you join us each Wednesday so we can share more about our mission to make Wolfe Creek Preserve a place where people of all ages can have fun adventures and make lasting memories with loved ones!

Celebrate Father's Day at Wolfe Creek Preserve!
Maybe you’re stuck in a rut buying your dad the same exact t-shirt each year for father’s day or are just out of ideas of what to do to make his day extra special. We know that Father’s Day is coming up quick so we put together a little questionnaire to help you figure out which of our adventures here at Wolfe Creek Preserve would be the best fit for your dad! With our technology-free environment, exhilarating ziplines, beautiful 33-acre preserve, and options for catering under one of our two covered party spaces, we know that you’ll find the perfect outing for you and your dad to bond at our world-renowned facility. So before you deliberate any longer over which CD you think he’d like, check out the options we offer below and treat your dad to a memory with you that he’ll never forget!

1. In his free time, your dad is most likely found:
a) at the neighborhood pool where he thrives off of the attention he gets when he jumps off the high dive in front of all of your friends.
b) rallying up the family and heading out for a hike. He’s always prepared with a compass, snack, and enthusiasm for each sign of wildlife he sees out on the trail.
c) at the closest car show to home. You just can’t seem to pry him away from scoping out the newest models of his favorite vehicles!
d) at an amusement park or carnival riding any rollercoaster he can find. He loves the adrenaline rush!

2. If stranded on a deserted island, your dad might survive by:
a) climbing the tallest tree and waving his hands until a passing helicopter or plane saw him and rescued him.
b) preparing himself by packing any source of food and water on his back, using the sun or stars as guides, and hiking out to the nearest form of civilization.
c) fashioning a boat out of a hollow tree and paddling as quickly as he could to the nearest shore or boat in sight.
d) swinging through vines in the jungle; he’d be happy spending an indefinite amount of time out there!

3. If your dad could have any job other than the one he has now, he’d probably choose to be:
a) a skydive instructor; getting paid to safely jump out of airplanes would be a dream come true!
b) a park ranger. He already knows how to identify tons of different tree and animal species because of hiking so often and reading his nature guides, so why not make a career of it?
c) a racecar driver; he’d love to swap in the family minivan for something sleeker.
d) an acrobat. Who wouldn’t want to swing effortlessly through the air all day?

To better help you plan your special day with dad, we have several tour suggestions that correspond with different answers in the questionnaire:

If you picked mostly A’s: your dad seems like an adrenaline junkie who loves seizing the most of every opportunity! Our Blue Streak Fast Line and Freefall Xpress Tour is perfect for fathers and their families who love exciting adventures. On our Blue Streak Fast Line and Free Fall Xpress Tour guests soar a quarter of a mile down our longest line and land on top of our tallest tower, Everest. Once guests reach Everest, the only way down from the tower is a 100-foot simulated free fall. The Powerfan, designed by the British Military to train paratroopers, is the mechanism that ensures guests land gently on their feet at the bottom of the tower. This exhilarating experience is something that you can’t miss if you come visit us at Wolfe Creek Preserve because we are one of the only facilities in North America that offers this adrenaline rush!

If you picked mostly B’s: you’ll definitely want to take your dad on a Wolfe Creek Photo Safari Guided Walking Tour. With zipliners soaring overhead, an abundance of flora and fauna gracing the sides of the mulched hiking trail, and a mid-mountain snack break provided so that you and your dad can bond and explore, the walking tour is something you won’t want to miss. One of our Pinzgauer vehicles takes guests up to the top of the mountain, where the 1.5 mile gentle downhill hike back to our gift store begins.

If you picked mostly C’s: you’re in luck! It sounds like your dad is a bit of a car-enthusiast. All of our zipline tours and hiking tour begin with a ride in one of our Pinzgauer vehicles which are rugged six-wheel vehicles designed in the early 1960’s to carry Swiss troops. These vehicles are capable of climbing a 45-degree slope, seat 14-people, and carry up to two-tons which makes them more than capable of carrying guests up to the top of Wolfe Creek Mountain with ease. If your dad is a car enthusiast, you’ll cherish the winding ride to the top of our property in one of these unique vehicles.

If you picked mostly D’s: your dad seems like perfect zipline material: fun, adventurous, and ready to soar! Our zipline course is world-class, our guides are ACCT-certified and outgoing, and the natural setting of the Ozarks is hard to beat. In addition, our zipline course is one of the only themed courses in the country. When you zip with us, your guides will tell you the compelling story of the Wolfe family who originally settled this land and inspired us! Treat your dad to a day of soaring through skies and treetops by signing you and your family up for the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour or the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour. The Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour is our premier option and includes 7 ziplines, 10 suspension bridges, and a mid-mountain snack break. Our Flying Prospector Canopy Tour includes 4 ziplines and 7 suspension bridges. Both tours are exceptional ways to experience the outdoors in a way that you probably haven’t before - by soaring through treetops!

No matter what answers you gave to these questions, we have something incredible to offer you here at Wolfe Creek Preserve. If you want to embark on the Ozarks Xplorer Canopy Tour and the Blue Streak Fast Line and Free Fall Xpress, try our Canopy Adventure Combo for the most adventure for the price! Interested in the Photo Safari Guided Walking Tour and the Flying Prospector Canopy Tour? We can make that work too! We love working with customers to provide the best, most customized service possible so be sure you speak with any of our knowledgeable staff when making reservations to create the best day out for you and your dad.

And, if you call soon, we can even reserve one of our two beautiful meeting spaces so that you can have food catered to our site and spend quality time with your dad and all of your friends and family. Our Xplorer Balcony overlooks Everest Tower and surrounding forest, and is suitable for 25-45 people. Prospector Pavilion, our gorgeous Amish-built timber-frame covered pavilion, seats around 70  guests. If you are interested in any of these options, please be sure that you call our Sales Manager Wes at (800) 717-0998 as soon as possible so he can help you reserve the spaces and offer you different catered food options.

We hope you make your Father’s Day extra special this year by bringing your dad out for a day he’ll never forget here at Wolfe Creek Preserve. Make your reservations as soon as possible by calling 1-800-712-4654 or by visiting our website because spots are quickly running out and we don’t want to turn anyone away! We hope you enjoy your Father’s Day and we hope to see you here! If you can’t make it here on Father’s Day, don’t let that stop you from giving your dad proof of a reservation for later this summer! No matter what day it is, it’s always a special day for families to bond here at Wolfe Creek Preserve, so be sure you come and visit us sometime soon.

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Wolfe Creek Wednesday: Amish Construction

Posted: June 5th, 2013 in Wolfe Creek Wednesdays

This post is a part of a series on our blog called “Wolfe Creek Wednesday”. Each Wednesday, we’ll be posting a fun fact, story, or a newsworthy piece of information about Wolfe Creek Preserve that we think you’ll find interesting! Although we’re best known for our world-class zipline course, our beautiful facility is also home to an array of indoor and outdoor activities, rich history, and a natural setting that we take great care to protect. We’re excited to have you join us each Wednesday so we can share more about our mission to make Wolfe Creek Preserve a place where people of all ages can have fun adventures and make lasting memories with loved ones!

Amish Construction
Here at Wolfe Creek Preserve we place our values at the center of our business practice, which means that we make decisions based on low-environmental impact levels, respect for history, highest regard for safety, and facilitating genuine interactions between ourselves and every visitor or employee that joins us. Because of our adherence to these values, we elected to work with an Amish crew of builders and craftsmen from Seymour, Missouri in order to construct many of our buildings and pavilions.

If you remember, we shared the story of Eli Wolfe saving an Amish family from being attacked by a brown bear (if you missed the story, you can read more about it here). Although Eli’s initial encounter with the Amish family occurred many, many years ago, he became a friend of the Amish community nearby. While spending time in the community, he became very impressed with world-class quality they present in all of their projects, and enamored with their inventive ways of creating products using skills and techniques from the past. He appreciated their timeless ways and their fun-loving, welcoming, and quick-witted personalities. Eli developed a bond with the Amish that we still cherish today. Since the history of our land and the Wolfe family is so important to us (we tell their story along our zipline course), we knew that it would be a privilege to work with the Amish community in Seymour, Missouri to complete many of our buildings and other projects around the land.

When you visit Wolfe Creek Preserve, you’ll most likely, at some point in the day, find yourself wandering one of our many decks in order to get an incredible view of the surrounding Ozark Mountains, the zipline course zig-zagging across the hillside, or a glimpse of a hawk wheeling around a sunset sky. You might find yourself in one of our incredible pavilions perfect for group outings or parties, mingling with friends and family. Or, you might find yourself wandering down our nature trail so immersed in the quiet sounds of the creek, the lush surrounding trees, or the sighting of an armadillo that you might not realize how much work went into creating the finely-crafted trail. No matter what part of our property you find yourself on during your visit to Wolfe Creek Preserve, the Amish crew most likely had a hand in the stunning craftsmanship. The Amish crew has an extensive woodworking shop in their community and are responsible for building the spaces that make group visits to Wolfe Creek Preserve truly unique. They built and installed the decks around the front and north side of Wolfe Creek Station, including the Xplorer Balcony. They also constructed and erected Prospector Pavilion.

Their contribution to Wolfe Creek Preserve is truly significant, but even more compelling are the logistical details of how the Amish crew built these gorgeous structures. At our first meeting to talk about the structures that we envisioned, the father of the Amish family discussed possibilities with our owners and sketched out a plan on a napkin. Once the plan was agreed upon, he returned to the community to begin work. His crew was made up of about 10 boys, all ranging from approximately 10-25 years old. The crew worked at the Amish shop for months in order to use the huge lumber milling and woodworking tools there. In many modern shops, all of this would be powered by electricity but theirs is powered by harnessed horse power - real horses walk in a circle to create the power needed to operate saw blades over 8’ tall! The Amish crew worked for months on the huge beams needed to construct the pavilion and decks. Once the pieces were complete, the crew of ten brought them to the zipline to put them into place.

They used manpower to place all of the pieces for the single-story deck and entry of Wolfe Creek Station, using a mallet to band the pegs into place to hold each piece. They did not use any nails, screws, glue, etc. to hold the pieces together. It never ceases to amaze us that they created each of these intricate pieces at their farm, brought them together on site, and that everything fit perfectly. Although they put up the single-story deck using only manpower, we had to hire a crane to set the two-story deck on the north side of the building and the pavilion because the beams were so big. Once the main pieces were put into place, they finished assembling all other pieces by hand. In addition to these impressive building-feats, the crew also built the staircase, which they put together for the first time on site. Every single piece fit together and no modifications were needed!

The crew worked for approximately eighteen months and were instrumental in making Wolfe Creek Preserve as you see it today. We encourage you to take time to not only admire the stunning natural surroundings of Wolfe Creek Preserve when you visit, but also take time to admire the craftsmanship of the Amish community. In order to fully appreciate the structures, sign your friends / family / coworkers / sports team / graduating class / church group / bachelor(ette) party up for an incredible group outing at Wolfe Creek Preserve and utilize either the Prospector Pavilion or the Xplorer Balcony to host a party that no one will forget. By signing up for one of our group excursions, you’ll have access to a covered pavilion, access to any catering option you could dream up, and the ability to choose as an individual whether you’d like to partake in one of our many zipline tours, our Photo Safari Nature Walk, explore the store, or just kick your feet up on a hand-crafted balcony and relax for an afternoon. To sign up for a group excursion and access one of our two incredible group party spaces, call Wes at (800) 717-0998 today!

Or, if you elect not to host a party, be sure to come out and visit us anyway because there are plenty of other ways to enjoy and appreciate the craftsmanship and community of the Amish. As you drive up Wolfe Creek Mountain, you’ll notice a fort on your right side about half-way up. This is Fort Jonas, named after the crew leader. The impressive wood fence at the top of Wolfe Mountain is also a reminder of our Amish friends. Even if you don’t experience a tour with us, you can still take home a reminder of the bond between the Wolfe family and the Amish by purchasing a jar (or several) of Amish Feast from our Wolfe Creek Station store. And, our Amish friends do still visit from time to time, so you might actually see them zipping through the trees, too!

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Wolfe Creek Wednesday: Graduation Celebration!

Posted: May 22nd, 2013 in Wolfe Creek Wednesdays

This post is a part of a series on our blog called “Wolfe Creek Wednesday”. Each Wednesday, we’ll be posting a fun fact, story, or a newsworthy piece of information about Wolfe Creek Preserve that we think you’ll find interesting! Although we’re best known for our world-class zipline course, our beautiful facility is also home to an array of indoor and outdoor activities, rich history, and a natural setting that we take great care to protect. We’re excited to have you join us each Wednesday so we can share more about our mission to make Wolfe Creek Preserve a place where people of all ages can have fun adventures and make lasting memories with loved ones!
We know it’s that time of year when textbooks are exchanged for fun beach reads, desk chairs swapped for lawn chairs in the sun, and instead of staring at a white board all day during lecture, students kick back to flick on the television or sit under the stars to watch the outdoor screening of a movie. Long story short, we know it’s graduation season and we would love to help you celebrate!

Graduation Celebration
Whether you’re finishing up a successful year of fourth grade, moving on from middle school, finally getting that high school diploma or graduating from college, come out to Wolfe Creek Preserve to celebrate your accomplishment! We know you’ll throw your graduation cap after commencement, but give yourself the chance to soar too by joining us on any one of our exciting zipline tours! Or, if you’d prefer a more leisurely journey through our stunning, forest plan-protected property consider participating in one of our relaxing Photo Safari Walking Tours where you’ll unwind by hiking down a trail surrounded by towering trees and stunning views of the surrounding Ozark mountains.

We have a variety of ways that you can celebrate your graduation here at Wolfe Creek Preserve. There are too many scenarios to list all of them here, but here are a few ideas for how to commemorate your achievement by spending a beautiful day outdoors with your friends and family:

1. A low-key, last-minute adventure: okay, so you’re the student who likes to stay up all night before a paper is due or cram for a test until the last possible second. If procrastination is your game and you haven’t planned a party for graduation, don’t fret! Although we get very busy during the summer months, check out our convenient tour schedule on our website to sign you and a few friends or family members up for an exhilarating zipline tour or a walk through the woods. If you decide to opt for this party-plan, you won’t have access to our pavilions reserved for group-parties, but you can take advantage of our beautiful decks that overlook the zipline course so that you can kick back with snacks and water or soda with friends and family and reminisce on all the years gone by!

2. A graduation celebration you’ll never forget: maybe in school you’re the type of student who completes projects the day that they’re assigned, write six drafts of every paper, and still manage to be president of your class and do thirty hours of volunteer service a year. If your school planner is already booked for next year because you love planning so much, consider working with our expert event planner and manager, Wes, who works with large groups of people to plan events and parties that are unforgettable. If you call (800) 717-0998 very soon, Wes can help you plan a party that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a full day here at Wolfe Creek Preserve. With options such as ziplining, hiking, mining, shopping, access to beautiful, Amish-built, covered-pavilions, tons of catering options, and more, your graduation party will get an A+ just like you do in all of your classes!

In fact, we’ve already had a few graduating classes who have taken advantage of this incredible planned-party option! Middle school, high school, and college graduate groups have worked with us to reserve one of our beautiful pavilions, sign up for any activities on our property, and enjoyed spending part of their day celebrating with us. Recently we’ve had a group of high school seniors from Gore, Oklahoma, a group of eighth-graders graduating from Wesley Academy in Houston, Texas, graduating seniors from Lakeside High in Downs, Kansas and many others come to Wolfe Creek Preserve, which is very exciting! We’ve loved celebrating every minute with these groups of young adults and loved giving them a break from their academic studies by joining us on our world-renowned zipline tours! Check out fun pictures from our various middle school, high-school, and college graduation celebrations in the photo albums on our Facebook page!

In addition to ziplining with us, several of the groups took advantage of our party-planning option and they incorporated a reserved pavilion space and a catered meal into their adventure. If you call Wes, he can set your group up with a delicious spread of food for before or after your zipline or hiking tour depending on your preference. We have tons of delicious options: Qdoba, Little Caesars, Panera, local BBQ from Danna’s in Branson, sandwiches from Panera Bread, and any other restaurant you might request! Consider calling Wes at (800) 717-0998 today to start planning a celebration for the graduate in your life!

Even if you’re not celebrating a graduation this year, be sure to enjoy the gorgeous summer skies with us! You can’t find a better breeze anywhere in Branson than when soaring through our zipline course. To see tour options for our world-renowned zipline course or a schedule for our Wolfe Creek Nature Walk and Photo Safari tour, click on this link and be sure to sign up for a great day at Wolfe Creek Preserve before we run out of space!

Great job to anyone graduating at the end of this semester, and be sure to come visit us at Wolfe Creek Preserve so we can congratulate you in person!

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