What our customers are saying
"I wanted to take a moment and let you know how wonderful the symposium was and how helpful all your team members are. I am very thankful that I have your organization as my support and resource. Look forward to our next year together" —Heather LeighCamp Congaree, Columbia, SC "The CMC-Fire Department extends our gratitude and appreciation to you and your training staff at Cornerstone Designs. We were the recipients of comprehensive instruction on the "Tarzan Course" located at Camp San Luis in San Luis Obispo, CA. A resounding theme that we took from the training was one of reinforcing the importance of trust, effective communication, teamwork and confidence in one's ability, when properly trained, to perform a specific task. We strongly believe that you and your crew have equipped us with the necessary direction to competently use, facilitate, perform rescue, and conduct minor adjustments on the "Tarzan Course. ...we look forward to practicing these newly acquired techniques on the course as well as the possibility of attending any future training exercises that you conduct." —Dave Green, Fire Captain, Paramedic
Camp San Luis Obispo "First, I wanted to say how great it was having Jason out here. The build and training went great, and we couldn't be more pleased. We've always been very happy with everything from CDI, and this was no exception. Thanks again for another great year." —Mike Phaneuf
Camp Hazen, Chester, CT "I would like to let Cornerstone Designs know what a great staff that you have, from the builders, trainers, and the office. The builders were very personable, helpful and knowledgeable. They finished the course ahead of schedule due to their hard work and some great weather. The trainers did an outstanding job. Our facilitators were very impressed with the expertise and knowledge that they had. They did an excellent job teaching and educating. I enjoyed working with Cornerstone Designs and would recommend your work!" —Rich Garman
Winnebago Mental Health Institute, Winnebago, WI "It's an honor to be used for promotion of a great company such as Cornerstone Designs. You all did a great job constructing the course, and the professional training you provided our people was outstanding." —Stephen E. Galyon, TSgt, Unit Training Manager
McGhee Tyson ANGB, Knoxville, TN
Jim Wall—President of Cornerstone Designs, Inc. and a member of the Adventure Group—has been in the field of Outdoor Education for over 33 years. His expertise has been developed as a result of working as a park ranger, ropes course facilitator, naturalist, youth counselor, parks and recreation director, college professor, and most recently as a small business owner.
His professional organizational affiliation spans AEE, AORE, and ACCT. He has been an active contributor to the professional development of the field, chairing the AEE-SE Council one year, and teaching undergraduate and graduate level outdoor education classes at Georgia College & State University for seven years. Jim was also instrumental in establishing AEE Program Accreditation and served as a board member of the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education. He is currently serving on the ACCT Board of Directors. In addition to this service on the board, his contributions to ACCT include conducting peer reviews and serving as an active member of the Certification Committee. Jim's love for outdoor education is reflected in having facilitated over 29,000 persons through a challenge course experience and training over 4,500 people, at some level, as a challenge course facilitator. He co-authored The Complete Ropes Course Manual, 4th Edition. Jim enjoys the sun on his face, being in the company of friends, and playing on the water in his boat.
Cornerstone Designs, Inc. (CDI) was built on the idea that long-term support is as important as design innovation and challenge course construction. President Jim Wall has been building challenge course facilities for over 28 years. He has facilitated over 28,000 participants through a challenge course experience and has trained over 4,000 challenge course facilitators.
As a Level III Professional Vendor Member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), CDI is actively involved with the continued growth and development of the challenge course industry. Jim Wall currently serves on the ACCT Board of Directors and on the ACCT Certification Committee. CDI is also an active member of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE).
We are a team of educated and dedicated professionals who possess advanced technical skills, who provide excellent customer service, and who are committed to the continuing education of our staff and of our customers.
At CDI, we strive to...
- create courses that will meet your programming needs and budgetary requirements.
- capture the essence of experiential education by creating designs that instinctively promote the goals of adventure programs.
- install courses that blend, to the extent possible, with the natural surroundings and that minimize environmental impact.
- build long-lasting structures that require minimal annual maintenance.
- provide programs with the knowledge and tools they need to facilitate their organizational goals.
- continue to serve you and your organization in a supportive role as your challenge course program matures.
Our Staff
Mark F. Bartleson, Jr. earned his liberal arts degree while working at the Polaris Missile Facility in 1986. He spent 20 years in submarine service and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977, retiring again in 1994 from the Polaris Missile Facility in Charleston, South Carolina where he still resides. He has worked for Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission for 12 years as a challenge course facilitator. He is presently one of the park's corporate facilitators. He has taught rock climbing, led trips to North Carolina, and was logistics coordinator for the Southeast Canoe and Kayak Festival in Charleston, SC for four years. Mark enjoys target shooting, skiing, and working outdoors. While working for Cornerstone Designs and two other part time jobs, he still takes time to enjoy his wife, seven children, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Jonathan Berry is a lead trainer and an inspector for CDI. Jonathan Berry: Working in the field since 1992, Jonathan has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Counseling. While most of his work has been based in managing therapeutic programs, he has significant experience working with educators, students, universities, and corporate groups. He has worked as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School, the American Canoe Association and training and experience in high angle and white water rescue. Jonathan is a Scorpio and enjoys long walks with his dog Summer, playing Bluegrass, and has recently embraced photography as a way of life. He currently resides in Winston-Salem, North Cakalacky. Jonathan joined CDI in April, 2004.
Brad Carey graduated from East Carolina University in 2003 with a bachelor of science in construction management. Following an Outward Bound semester and graduation, Brad joined the CDI family to continue two of his finest passions: construction and the outdoors. While Brad is not working, you might find him on the rock in the Linville Gorge, surfing in Australia and New Zealand, or riding his bike through Ecuador. Brad is putting his construction management skills to work building his "green" house in Newland, NC. A practicing vegetarian, Brad's love for life, friends, and learning bring a great energy to CDI.
Chad Clark is a part-time inspector/trainer for CDI. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Augusta State University. He has been a facilitator for a variety of programs including therapeutic, church, military, and collegiate. He has led backpacking and sea kayak trips and completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2000. In his spare time, he enjoys playing mandolin. Chad currently lives in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Jason (Jake) Freed likes to be outside. He completed a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, Tourism Management at Clemson University in May 2004 and a M.Ed. in Outdoor Education Administration in 1998. Jake is also a senior instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) leading Alaska mountaineering, hiking, canyon, outdoor educator, and sea kayaking courses. Jake has been involved with building and facilitation challenge courses since 1996. Jake currently resides in Phoenix, AZ.
Andrew Morris is one of the newest members of the CDI family. He is from Michigan and studied music at Eastern Michigan University. He focused on classical bass playing and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. While not at work, he enjoys all outdoor activities. Andrew hopes to settle down one day and find a nice little place to call his home somewhere in the mountains of North Carolina.
Jason Rich earned a bachelor's degree in outdoor education/natural history and his master's degree in outdoor education administration. Jason has taught challenge course facilitation classes at both Northland College and Georgia College and State University. He conducts a majority of the safety inspections and facilitator training conducted by CDI. As an enthusiastic participant in Civil War and World War II reenactments, Jason spends much of his free time focused on his reenacting business, www.homespunwares.com.
Sabrina Cheves has worked alongside Jim in the CDI office since 2002. Originally from Rome, Georgia, she earned a bachelor of science in education from the University of Georgia in 1994 and a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Montana in 2000. She was also a student of Jim Wall's at Georgia College and State University in the outdoor education administration master's program. Her varied experiences have contributed to her ability to wear many different hats here at Cornerstone. While in college, she led canoeing and backbacking trips at a summer camp and worked seasonally for the U.S. Forest Service as part of a wildlife survey crew and as a wildland firefighter. She has tutored junior high, high-school and college students in English and algebra and has worked in elementary schools as a teacher's assistant and kindergarten teacher. She enjoys singing, reading, and playing in the sun and has been an avid snowboarder since 1997. She lives in Blowing Rock with her husband Robbie, their daughter Maggie, and 3 cats and 2 dogs.
Catherine Tait brings her background in counseling and organizational development to the field of experiential education. In 2004, Catherine received her Ed.D in Human Resource and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia. Catherine has been involved in various aspects of corporate challenge course programming for almost sixteen years. She has developed and conducted numerous trainings and seminars and has worked in conjunction with Jim in the successful management and operation of CDI. She also co-authored The Complete Ropes Course Manual, 4th Edition. Catherine has been an active member of the Army National Guard for almost eighteen years, where she currently holds the rank of Major, and continues to enjoy the various challenges that switching "hats" always brings!
Corey Wall, JimÕs son, earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Georgia College and State University, as well as his Master's degree in Education. Much of his experience and background is in adventure-based programming for youth and college-aged populations. He has worked for Camp High Rocks and Iredell County Recreation Department, both in Adventure Camp Programming. He enjoys "playing" in such areas as Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Tetons, Badlands, Costa Rica, and most recently in Alaska. Building his first course at the age of 10, and one of the "originals," Corey works fulltime as our "high speed/low drag" builder, inspector, foreman, and trainer for Cornerstone Designs. Corey lives with his wife Michelle in Harmony, NC.
Matt VanDenBeldt or "I-Matt," as we refer to him here at Cornerstone Designs, joined the CDI family as an intern (the "I" is for intern) in 2004 after earning his bachelor of science in recreation with a minor in construction management from Central Michigan University. His family history in construction, his good work ethic, and his positive vibe earned him a full-time position as a builder for CDI. On his days off from work, you can find I-Matt wherever there is outdoor adventure to be had. He is a whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, surfing, and disc-golfing enthusiast. He currently resides in Asheville, NC where he can always find something to quench his insatiable appetite for outdoor adventure.
