What is GATE?
The 4th Gathering for Adventure Therapy in Europe" (4GATE) invites both experienced specialists and enthusiasts who work with clients in the outdoors or wish to transfer therapeutic and experiential education methods from indoor spaces to the outdoors to gain new perspectives and better work results.
The conference program offers the opportunity to gain theoretical and practical knowledge about adventure therapy, experiential education, working with clients in nature, facilitating therapeutic processes individually and in groups, environmental education, as well as gaining emotionally enriching personal experiences.
Led by over 70 esteemed specialists from Europe, Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and Africa, the event will feature GATE lectures held within the grandeur of the Sigulda Castle Pavilion, complemented by outdoor workshops designed to foster hands-on learning experiences.
In the field of adventure therapy and its subfields, representatives from various disciplines such as medicine, pedagogy, psychology, social work, adventure tourism, personal growth, and team building have been collaborating interdisciplinary for 25 years. It has been integrated into the education, medical, rehabilitation, and social work systems abroad. GATE is held every two years in one of the European countries, so we invite you to take advantage of the opportunity to attend it in Latvia.
Where is the 4th GATE taking place?
The 4th GATE invites you to join us in the heart of Latvia, where the charming town of Sigulda awaits with its scenic views and a myriad of attractions. Only 53 kilometres from the capital city of Latvia, Sigulda is surrounded by lush landscapes and complemented by an array of outdoor activities both for individuals and families. Town's location on a picturesque stretch of the primeval Gauja river valley will not leave anyone untouched.
This event promises not only a platform for professional growth but also an opportunity to explore the beauty of Sigulda and its surroundings. Discover the synergy of outdoors and therapeutic practices in this enchanting setting as we come together to shape the future of Adventure Therapy against the backdrop of Latvia's natural splendor.
When is the 4th GATE happening?
17/06 - 18/06/2024 Pre-conference activities
19/06 - 22/06/2024 Conference seminars, workshops, classes
23/06 - 25/06/2024 Post-conference activities: (Midsummer celebration Latvian style)
Conference Theme:
Connecting Borders To New Horizons
We each come from our own place - our family, our homestead, our profession, our land, our country.
To protect ourselves and separate ourselves, we create personal, professional, and national boundaries all around us. These boundaries or borders separate us from one another, indicating our differences, diversity, and authenticity. Boundaries also serve as points of connection through which we seek commonality and cooperation.
The Adventure Therapy European network is where we unite, a large tent to gather under, where we become stronger, more resilient, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable. During our Gathering in 2024, we question how we maintain our borders, protect and preserve our uniqueness, and find ways to connect through promoting inclusion, diversity, and improving accessibility - one person at a time - from each participant, practitioner, community, and country.
By maintaining healthy boundaries or borders, a true connection between people, cultures, and countries is also possible for exploring new expanses of possibilities and finding undiscovered horizons. At this conference, we invite everyone to think about how we use, or misuse, our borders, how we create points through which to connect and unite to share, include, and expand, and also - what we see when we look at the horizons opening up to us when we are all together.
Who are the organizers of the 4th GATE?
The 4th Global Adventure Therapy Exchange (GATE) is the result of a collaborative partnership between Adventure Therapy Europe and Adventure Therapy Latvia, two leading organizations dedicated to advancing this esteemed conference.
The unwavering support of the Sigulda City Municipality underscores a steadfast dedication to hosting GATE within a vibrant and picturesque locale, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all participants.
This endeavor is made possible through the generous financial backing of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, co-funded by the European Union.
We extend our sincere appreciation to "Dizaina brīvzona" for their invaluable material and creative contributions, particularly to Annija for her exceptional work in designing posters and banners.
Special thanks to Laura and her creative art @lauracmyk for the unique design of the conference apparel.
We also express gratitude to the outdoor goods emporium "Ceļotājs" for their gracious provision of gifts for GATE attendees. Special recognition is extended to "Sigulda Adventures" for their generous offer of a 20% discount on activities for each participant. Furthermore, we acknowledge with gratitude the accommodation and countryside retreat "Kalna griezes" for their exclusive lodging arrangements for GATE visitors.
Adventure Therapy Europe:
Adventure Therapy Latvia:
PLEASE NOTE:
The maintenance, creation, and information posting of the GATE conference website are undertaken voluntarily by our enthusiastic team at GATE Latvia, all in our free time. This pioneering experience is a first for us, and we're excited to bring you an unforgettable event. Please bear in mind that the information may be periodically updated, and just like in nature, imperfections are part of the adventure.
The 4th GATE organizers
Financial support
