The Summit Testimonials

Zip Canopy Tour,Challenge Course Design, Installation and Training Testimonials

“Al Reisser and The Summit built one of their Octagon Course Complex’s at our facility. I have been an ACA site visitor for twenty years and have never seen a course like the one that they built for us. We have visitors that come on board and see our course and ask us ‘What is that?’. I reply that it is our challenge course. They tell me they have never seen a course like that before. I tell them that what they are saying is exactly the point.”

-Matt Stoltz, Director, Island Lake Camp

“I found Mr. Reisser and The Summit to be very knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend him and his crew to anyone interested in having a course built.”

-William E. Hess, COPE Director, Southern NJ Council, Boy Scouts of America

"If you are looking for a true business partnership with a highly-skilled, conscientious, creative, and quality, team of adventure-based programming specialists—look no further. The Summit, under the leadership of Al Reisser, is an inspiring company to work with. Not only does The Summit know how to meet the needs of its clients, but The Summit team truly cares about its clients and works tirelessly to ensure that clients have opportunities to expand the reach of their adventure-based programming and bring this gift to as many people as possible.

We are delighted to be working with a company that is able to understand and meet our unique needs. Camp Little Notch, a former Girl Scout camp recreated in the spirit of Girl Scouting, has an exciting but uphill journey in the process of reopening a camp that was closed for three years. To date, we have received an incredible amount of assistance from our friends at The Summit, and recently added Al Reisser to our organizational advisory board because of his incredible industry knowledge and strategic creativity.

I highly recommend The Summit, and can confidently say that you will not be disappointed with using this fine company to meet your adventure-based programming needs."

With much appreciation,
Ellen Tuzzolo, Executive Director, Friends of Camp Little Notch, ellen@littlenotch.org

Dear Al,
"As summer draws near, I am greatly looking forward to you coming to lake Delaware Boys Camp for the tenth season in a row, to inspect and provide maintenance for our ropes course and climbing tower, and especially to lead our staff training. Each year our camp staff identifies their time with you for safety and leadership training as one of the most important experiences which led to a successful camp season. I know that this year our returning staff is very excited that you will be returning to lead our training.
I have built my staff orientation period around the experience you provide. I have complete confidence that those you certify to lead our ropes and climbing programs will be thoroughly and competently trained. I also know that the respect for safety issues necessary for quality camp counselors will be communicated in ways that make an effective impact. I also know that the days you spend with our staff during the orientation period will lead a group of young people from around the world and together for the first time to be formed into an enthusiastic team.
Several years ago our camp made a major investment in our program by having a climbing tower installed by your company, The Summit USA. The Summit provided all the design and construction services for our new tower. We could not have been happier with the experience of planning for the tower, and the finished product. The employees of The Summit were highly impressive in their level of skill, and commitment to providing a finished product of the highest quality.
Two years ago Lake Delaware Boys Camp entered the process to become ACA accredited for the first time ever. We never could have achieved this without the professional consultant services we received from the Summit for this endeavor."

-Pastor Jim Adams, Director, Lake Delaware Boys Camp

“When it comes to Adventure/Challenge courses any facility should consider using The Summit Inc. From construction to training, inspections or advice on what to build, Al Reisser and his staff will give you the time and attention needed to accommodate your needs. We have had the privilege of working with The Summit Inc. for the past eight years and are completely satisfied. Al and his staff have performed inspections, built elements, and operated training sessions for us.
What makes The Summit Inc. so appealing to us has been the ways in which Al has accommodated our needs. The customer always gets personal attention with The Summit Inc.
Safety is Al’s number one priority. When Al Reisser looks at any area of challenge course technology or training he will accept nothing less than the highest levels of safety. The Summit Inc. maintains the highest standards held in the industry when it comes to building or maintaining a challenge course using only the very best hardware. Trainings are wonderfully low key, but incredibly thorough.”

-Mark P. Scott, Assistant Executive Director, Ladore Lodge, Salvation Army

"This is a letter of recommendation for The Summit challenge course builders. Al and his team worked along side myself and the YMCA from beginning to end on the design, planning, building, and training for our new Zip Line Canopy Tour. With their guidance we were able to build a piece of high ropes equipment that will be a center piece of our adventure program for years to come. The professionalism and know-how of challenge course equipment and design is evident in all they do. The build was quick and on time, even though the weather was not ideal, and the price was on budget and fair.
We have had our Canopy Tour for 6 months now and have been successful in using it to make our programs even better for new participants and returning campers. I would recommend Al and The Summit to any perspective camps looking to add a quality ropes course in the near future. Their expertise is of great value and we will be going back to them for any future ropes course needs."
Sincerely,

Justin Rose, Youth and Camping Director, Carlisle Family YMCA

“Al Reisser and The Summit are outstanding! We have been doing business with Al for over ten years. Al provides professional and highly personalized service. We 100% trust his judgment, recommendations and advise, as well as his “hands on” training. He has helped develop our Outdoor Adventure program to the “highest” level.
We look forward to continuing our relationship with Al and Summit for many years to come.”

-Mitch Reiter, Director, Camp Towanda

"Camp Yachad has had a relationship with Al Reisser and the Summit for many years managing our low ropes course at camp. In the past few years we have taken our relationship to a different level by sending several camp groups to Al’s site in Pennsylvania for outdoor rock climbing.

When our campers arrive at the mountain Al and his staff go over many safety rules before allowing the campers to do anything. After the safety instruction the campers got their equipment on and started climbing! Al teaches the campers how to work together as a team, encouraged them to cheer each other on while waiting for their turn, and to just have fun! Our campers come home from this trip exhausted, but say that the experience is like no other.

We will continue to go on this trip as the campers ask for it specifically. The staff enjoys this trip as much as the campers!"

Sincerely,

Jodi Hotra, Camp Co-Director, Camp Yachad

“I have had the pleasure of having Alan Reisser design and build our ropes course. Al devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to every phase of our project, from planning and design, to construction and staff training. I researched several other companies and found Al to be superior in knowledge, ability, commitment, and customer service.
I would recommend Al Reisser to anyone and everyone who is building or upgrading their adventure course. In fact, I am already planning to have Al come back and expand our course in the future. If you have any questions concerning this recommendation, please don't hesitate to contact me at the above number.”

Alexander E. DeVicaris, Director, Adventureland Day Camp

College and University Programs

I have worked in the field of higher education for the past 19 years and have taken many groups to retreats, and worked with many camps, conferences and facilitators. In addition I have a background in experiential education, so I have high expectations of the facilitators for team and leadership building activities. I have often been disappointed in the quality and skills of facilitation found at camps.
In searching for a place to take my residential staff this year, I came across The Summit and contacted Al. Al found a retreat center to take my staff that I had not known about and turned about to be the perfect place for my group. He set up everything with the camp and made my planning for the event stress free.
Most importantly however, Al and his assistant Harry’s facilitation of our group’s experience was the best I’ve seen. Often facilitators will rush groups to and through activities, missing the processing and learning lessons that are the aim of these activities. Al and Harry had the perfect balance of activities and processing. They spent time building up the groups cohesion and helped build the expectations of intentionality which is so often missing in these programs.
They guided the groups in such as way that they created both physical and emotional safety. I only plan ½ a day for team building through initiatives due to past experiences of facilitators rushing through tasks instead of leading a journey of self and team discovery. This is the first time I wished we had scheduled more time.
After using The Summit for the first time, I will never use anyone else again. Between finding a perfect place for us to go and then masterfully facilitating our experience, I would highly recommend The Summit as THE company to use for team building.

-April Herring, House Dean, University of Pennsylvania, School Programs

School Programs

“They are one of the most talented, dedicated, insightful, knowledgeable, resourceful, and successful agencies with which I have worked. The Summit provides a first rate, youth development and training regimen that engages our students to challenge themselves Physically, Mentally, Intellectually and Interpersonally. From School Based workshops, to outdoor activities, The Summit and all of its professionals have proven time and again that our students love to solve issues, conflicts, and challenges as individuals and as a group.
The Summit has operated direct services and support initiatives in some of our most challenging schools with some of our most challenging students. Group resolution skills, peer mentoring, development of resistance skills and overcoming challenging obstacles are just a few of the initial talents that they help to develop in our youth.
It is without hesitation and without reservation that I recommend and support The Summit. The Summit has the skills and tools to develop our students into leaders, peer mentors, team builders and team players in their own lives, and within the environment of every school and neighborhood.”

-Horace Arthur Trent III, Coordinator, Office of School Climate and Safety, School District of Philadelphia

" Al was very receptive to my questions and willing to take the time to answer them thoroughly. Furthermore, as a teacher in a low-income school, Al offered many suggestions to help us finance the trip and went above and beyond to find reasonably priced overnight accommodations. In the weeks leading up to the trip, Al was extremely reliable, flexible and enthusiastic about learning how to best meet the needs of my students.
I was very impressed with the interest Al took in learning about my student’s lives. He really wanted to familiarize himself with their personal and academic challenges so he and his team could tailor the program to best serve my students. Once we arrived, everyone was very energetic and accommodating. I found the activities to be well organized and meaningful.
I plan on working with Al and his team in the future as our experience was very positive. Both the students and faculty members raved about the time spent with his team and I found it to be an important educational experience for each student."

-Meredith S. Mehra, Urban Education Institute Coordinator, Senior Class Coordinator
Young Mens Leadership School, School District of Philadelphia

Adventure Therapy and Other Organizations

" I am writing this letter to thank you for your superior leadership in adventure based therapy with my group, the KIT Program, earlier this week. The service you provide to children is so valuable. I was very impressed at your ability to assess the group and tailor the activities to our needs. When I relayed the information about some of my children having an IQ as low as 59 and as high as 110; you were able to appeal to the spectrum of learning abilities when giving directions and explaining concepts. The activities held everyone’s attention, even my boys who struggle with ADHD in most other learning environments. Your enthusiasm and love of adventure based therapy was evident and contagious. I also appreciated your ability to link the activities to therapeutic challenges they are working on in treatment."

-Jennifer Dowdell, LCSW, Director of Residential Treatment Services, Center for Family Guidance

"I am happy to write a letter of reference for Al Reisser of The Summit. I have known and worked with Al since 1999 when he became involved with the young adult program of the American Cancer Society. This program is an annual weekend event providing the opportunity for support, education and recreation for young adults who have or have had cancer. These goals are achieved through a daylong physical challenge, the specific activity being chosen by the planning committee of young adults. Al has led this activity for the past few years.
It has been a consistent pleasure to work with Al. He listens, understands and creates an activity to appeal to yet challenge this population. In addition, he approaches his commitment with professionalism, thoughtfulness and creativity. He understands the goals of the program and facilitates the activity so that each participant achieves his or her set goal. He is a good facilitator who presents in a definitive but non-threatening way. As a result, the young adult participants have consistently responded well to him. I feel confident and comfortable in recommending Al Reisser and The Summit."

Joan Applegate, MSW ,Cancer Control Specialist, American Cancer Society

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