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GATE 2026 - BELGIUM

19-22 May 2026

Growing (Up) Through Outdoor Experiences

A small country, but a big adventure!

GATE 2026 invites you in Belgium to dive into 4 transformative days packed with hands-on workshops, knowledge exchange, and powerful experiences that will push you forward. Join us, step up, and evolve to the next level of Adventure Therapy! 🌱

 

What is GATE?

The GATE (Gathering for Adventure Therapy in Europe) is a biannual event that brings together practitioners, researchers, organizations, and anyone interested in the fields of Adventure Therapy and Experiential Learning.

As a dynamic platform for connection and collaboration, GATE offers opportunities to exchange ideas, share practices, and explore new developments in the field. Through keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and roundtable discussions, participants can engage deeply with the growing Adventure Therapy community across Europe.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or newly curious about the field, GATE welcomes all voices to join in shaping the future of Adventure Therapy.

Are you ready to grow, learn, and challenge yourself?

New: On May 20th, we’re organizing a unique Experience Day beyond our usual grounds. Participants from Belgium and across Europe will come together for workshops that move beyond the ordinary – including rock climbing, river navigation, caving, and deep forest immersion.

This day offers a meaningful opportunity to both offer and receive experiences that can be powerful and transformative.


 Are you ready to take the next step?

Growth In and With Nature

Nature plays a vital role in Adventure Therapy, serving both as a setting and a catalyst for growth. In nature, clients and therapists experience a kind of transformation that is hard to replicate within traditional therapy rooms.

Growth mirrored by nature

Nature itself is a powerful metaphor for growth. Rivers carve their paths through stone over time. Seasons teach us that change is a natural part of life. Trees weather storms yet continue to reach skyward.  In Adventure Therapy, clients learn from these rhythms. Setbacks and struggles are not endpoints—they’re part of an ongoing cycle of development and renewal. When clients see their own growth reflected in the landscape around them, it strengthens their sense of purpose and inspires them to embrace their journey with renewed confidence.

A growing network in a natural setting

Nature can also play a valuable role in strengthening a client’s support system.

When families, friends, or teams engage in outdoor activities together, they’re given the chance to face challenges collectively, practice communication and trust, and build stronger, more resilient relationships that support the client’s growth process.

Growing with nature as your guide

Adventure Therapy reminds us all that growth—like nature—is a continuous, resilient, and deeply connected process.

At GATE, we believe that real understanding comes from doing. That’s why our focus is on experiencing, not just observing. You won’t only talk about growth—you’ll live it.

To honor this approach, we’ve dedicated an entire day to embodied, outdoor experiences beyond the grounds where we stay. This special day—our Experience Day—is all about stepping fully into nature, engaging with it through movement, challenge, reflection, and connection. It’s a chance to

At GATE, we believe that real understanding comes from doing. That’s why our focus is on experiencing, not just observing. You won’t only talk about growth—you’ll live it.

Experience Day

To honor this approach, we’ve dedicated an entire day to embodied, outdoor experiences beyond the grounds where we stay. This special day—our Experience Day—is all about stepping fully into nature, engaging with it through movement, challenge, reflection, and connection. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the very heart of Adventure Therapy: learning by doing, in the wild.

Venue

Nestled in the heart of Meerdaal Forest, near the village of Sint-Joris-Weert, this venue offers a perfect blend of tranquility and inspiration. Imagine spending your days surrounded by lush greenery, exploring beautiful walking trails and attending workshops in serene outdoor spaces designed for creativity and connection. Whether you are looking to recharge, reconnect or learn, this location will help making an unforgettable experience and amazing memories.

De Kluis offers a main lodge, smaller accommodations, spacious camping areas, fire pits, and a ropes course—making it an ideal setting for meaningful group experiences and nature-based activities.

Address:

Kluis 1, 3051 St.-Joris-Weert

Frequently Asked Questions

We are gathering some of the frequent questions some of you are asking us.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you might have, we will be happy to answer.

How do I register?

 

Tickets will be available as soon as December 2025, You can submit proposals for the pre-conference and as a workshop facilitator starting in September.

Can I get a discount if I propose a workshop?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any discounts for students or for people proposing workshops. The price of the GATE has been reduced to the minimum possible.

Can I propose a workshop even if I have never done it before?

We would ask you to fill in a form describing the workshop and its goals. The team will review the workshops to ensure the link with Adventure Therapy. We encourage you to present your workshop proposal and contact us if you have any questions about it.

Do I have to be an Adventure Therapy practitioner to be able to participate?

No, you might just be interested in learning about Adventure Therapy or you might have other personal interests to come and be part of this gathering.

Can I reach the venue by public transportation?

Yes, you can find more information about the venue and how to get there on the Venue page. As the dates come closer we will update the bus schedule from Leuven to the venue.

Can I bring my partner?

You are welcome to come with a companion, however this person should subscribe to the GATE as he/she/x will be one participant more, therefore he/she/x should follow the subscription instructions and payment..

What should I bring?

As the date gets closer, we will post a packing list as well as send it by email to all participants.

What should I bring?

 

  • Your entry ticket.
  • A small (backpack) bag to carry around the site with you. (The site is quite large, so it’s handy not to have to go back and forth for your belongings.)
  • Flashlight.
  • Your own plate, soup bowl, mug, fork, spoon, knife, and other useful eating utensils (you can leave these at your eating spot after use and washing).
  • Dishwashing supplies (sponge, towel).
  • Refillable water bottle.
  • Toilet paper roll.
  • Writing materials.
  • Clothing: Be prepared for weather fluctuations and cooler nighttime temperatures.
  • Rain gear.
  • Towels.

 

Are you sleeping in a tent?

 

  • Field bed/air mattress (if using a mattress, be sure to bring an insulating mat to place underneath; it can get quite cold at night without it).
  • Sleeping bag + extra blanket.
  • Your own pillow.
  • Optionally, your own hammock to hang between the trees.

 

Are you sleeping in the hall?

 

  • Your own bed linen/sleeping bag.
  • Your own pillow.
  • Pillowcase.
  • Blanket.

 

Optional:

 

  • Sitting cushion or portable chair.
  • Optional mosquito/tick repellent.
  • Sunscreen.
  • And anything else that contributes to a comfortable, cozy, and empowering men’s experience!

 

 

Will the menu will be published beforehand?

The menu will not be available until few days before the GATE. As the venue is in charge of providing the food, we cannot guarantee to have access to it before the GATE starts.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Our cooking team is able to accommodate various dietary restrictions. As a standard, there will always be a vegetarian option, so you don’t need to specify this. If your dietary restrictions are more specific, it’s important to inform us in advance by emailing gate@adventuretherapy.eu, or you can indicate them during your ticket purchase, where a question will be provided for you to share this information.

Are there any stores nearby?

The venue is a 20-minute walk from the nearest village, called Sint-Joris-Weert, where you can find a gas station and a store.

If I no longer can attend the GATE, can I get my registration fee transferred back?

This GATE is organized with no lucrative intentions and we managed to offer the best possible price. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to afford to return your registration fee.

Can I find my own accommodation?

You may find your own accommodation in a different venue. If you would like this, please let us know. However, we would like to encourage participants to take the opportunity to engage in the atmosphere of community that we aim to build during the four days of the GATE.

When can I arrive to the venue?

More info. coming soon!