KRISTIANSAND/HOVDEN ▪ NORWAY ▪ 20- 25 JUNE 2022

9TH INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURE THERAPY CONFERENCE

3RD GATHERING FOR ADVENTURE THERAPY IN EUROPE

Archive

About 9IATC/3GATE

The International Adventure Therapy Conferences (IATC) are held triennially to provide gatherings for outdoor and adventure therapy practitioners, academics, researchers, politicians, allied professionals, and students within various fields.

With the conference returning to Europe, 9IATC was merged with the 3rd Gathering for Adventure Therapy in Europe (3GATE). Due to the pandemic and the one-year postponement, the 2022 conference in Norway marked the 25th anniversary of IATC.

As the first hybrid IATC, offering live streaming and digital presentations, the 9IATC/3GATE gathered nearly 400 attendees in Southern Norway and 150 online participants from a total of 42 nations. Of these, counted 50 students, 42 volunteers and 18 organisers. Find more information about the conference theme, programme and photo gallery below.

Proceedings

On behalf of the conference organisers and the Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC), the 9IATC/3GATE conference proceedings are published in Journal of Adventure Therapy. More than 40 contributions of academic, practice-based and opinion papers will be available as open-access articles in a special edition of the journal, in addition to be compiled in the forthcoming proceedings e-book, edited by Alexander Rose and Carina Ribe Fernee.

Now we are searching for sponsors for the Conference Proceedings, so if you are interested to collaborate, please reach us here: 9iatc@ati.academy. For more info, see: Link to prospectus

Conference Theme

The overall theme of the conference – Journeying Together – asked what choices lie ahead for the field of outdoor and adventure therapy to make. Choices that define who we are and who we want to become.

Journeying together also referred to the movement during the conference, from the seafront city of Kristiansand through the Setesdal valley to the mountain village of Hovden.

Conference Programme

The conference offered a great variety of presentations and workshops divided into three categories: HEAD, HEART and HAND. The five-day event also included a diverse social programme and a whole day of adventures midway through the conference, in addition to pre- and post-conference workshops and gatherings.

See the full Conference Programme for an overview of all presentations and activities.

Programme

Conference Gallery

We were fortunate to have two wonderful conference photographers: Lars Verket & Tore Andre Baardsen. Check out a selection of their photographs in the Conference Gallery.

Gallery

Kristiansand

Beginning in the coastal town of Kristiansand on the Southernmost shores of Norway, offered the opportunity to explore the soothing seascape along the archipelago Skjærgården. The University of Agder campus was our main venue, Roligheden our campsite, and we explored the Odderøya Island enjoying a social evening in the ambient Haubitz Barn.

Setesdal

Midway through the conference, we transitioned from the coast to the mountains, journeying together through the captivating Setesdal valley. This 210 kilometre long valley carries a rich history and traditions, still visible in local building styles, museums, handicraft and folk music, which we were fortunate to enjoy throughout the latter part of the conference.

Hovden

The final three days, we gathered in the mountain village of Hovden, located at the top of the Setesdal valley, surrounded by peaks that rise more than 1,200 metres above sea level. Here, we celebrated Midsummer Night together the traditional village way and many hiked to the mountaintop of Nos for a contemplative walk during the evening hours.

Kristiansand

Beginning in the coastal town of Kristiansand on the Southernmost shores of Norway, offered the opportunity to explore the soothing seascape along the archipelago Skjærgården. The University of Agder campus was our main venue, Roligheden our campsite, and we explored the Odderøya Island enjoying a social evening in the ambient Haubitz Barn.

Setesdal

Midway through the conference, we transitioned from the coast to the mountains, journeying together through the captivating Setesdal valley. This 210 kilometre long valley carries a rich history and traditions, still visible in local building styles, museums, handicraft and folk music, which we were fortunate to enjoy throughout the latter part of the conference.

Hovden

The final three days, we gathered in the mountain village of Hovden, located at the top of the Setesdal valley, surrounded by peaks that rise more than 1,200 metres above sea level. Here, we celebrated Midsummer Night together the traditional village way and many hiked to the mountaintop of Nos for a contemplative walk during the evening hours.

Speakers

Our Keynote Speakers

Martin Ringer

Australia
Opening Address:
Creating Containers for Healing, Growth and Collaboration

Pekka A. Lyytinen

Finland
Keynote I:
Searching for Adventure Therapy: Reflections from the Finnish Sauna

Annette Bischoff

Norway
Keynote II:
Nordic Friluftsliv – Philosophical Roots and Pedagogical Potential

Newsletters

Follow our path to the conference

newsletter february

newsletter May

newsletter november

FROM THE CONVENERS

Thank you

We again want to thank all our presenters, keynote speakers, volunteers and collaborating partners, especially the University of Agder Conference and IT Team, our Kristiansand camp Roligheden, our Hovden venues Grendehuset and Hovdestøylen, catering services, our digital suppliers Digital Sør and Tappin, our two lovely photographers, and finally Midt-Agder Friluftsråd and DNT Sør for your contributions.

We thank all of you who participated in-person and online, and we hope to see many of you again at the 4GATE in Latvia in June 2024 and the 10IATC in Taiwan in 2025.

Much love,

Lynn, Leif Roar, Carina & Harpa

ORGANISERS

Thank you to all collaborating partners and volunteers!

Quotes from participant evaluation

«I loved it. From the start Monday morning with the dance, singing, mayors, and troll dances…this conference shined more than others. Absolutely stellar”.

«I would give this 50 stars! Kudos to the planners for providing time for self-care, time in nature, and such a delightful variety of options! What a wonderful opportunity to «refresh» while socializing and connecting with other participants. THANK YOU!»

«Wonderfully open, friendly, inclusive, honest, silly, non-hierarchical, humble, fun, happy – a community that generates belonging. Day after day, I could feel the care and nurture of the organising team through their hosting and manner.»

«A huge thank you for hosting the most incredible IATC ever. Somehow you were able to care for our bodies, hearts and minds, our socio-cultural selves AND our professional connections and developments. Your heart and soul, and attention to every detail was incredible. Thank you amazing team!!!»