What are International Adventure Therapy Conferences?

International Adventure Therapy Conferences (IATC) provide a dynamic and interactive gathering of adventure therapy practitioners, academics, researchers, allied professionals, managers and students. IATC offer an engaging forum for the growth and development of international adventure therapy worldwide.

It is expected that each IATC host will do their best to deliver an ecologically sustainable conference within the confines of their setting.

The role of ATIC in deciding IATC hosts

The Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC) was established to ensure the continuity of IATC and promote the presence of diversity, including recognising cultural and geographical differences and the range of practices represented within adventure therapy worldwide.

The decision on who will host the next IATC is made by the whole membership of ATIC after consideration of submissions received prior to the current conference. Ideally the decision is based on consensus but failing agreement, the decision will be made on a democratic vote. Once the decision has been made, the ATIC conference liaison person or team liaises with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in the host country in an advisory role.

As at 2016, ATIC does not have any financial responsibility or liability for international conferences, so takes an advisory and supportive role rather than a regulatory role. The ATIC conference liaison person or team works with the LOC to:

  • Support the efforts of the LOC to achieve the ATIC mission through the IATC
  • Maintain a presence and liaise with the LOC during planning and delivery of conference
  • Advise on issues relating to international perspectives
  • Assist in obtaining resources, including speakers, presenters and financial resources
  • Support international efforts to promote and market the IATC.

The role of IATC Host or Local Organising Committee

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) are responsible for implementing the IATC in accordance with ATIC’s mission. If the host individual(s) is/are ATIC members, they will need to relinquish their national representation and that nation will put forward replacements to ensure that ATIC and IATC business/initiatives remain distinct. The LOC will provide regular reports to the ATIC Exec and the IATC Liaison Working Party. If possible, the LOC will host an ATIC meeting at the mid-point between IATC. Upon conclusion of the IATC, the LOC will provide a report summarising IATC organising activities and en evaluation of the IATC to forward to future IATC hosts. Note that all financial and other liability for IATC’s are held by the LOC and not by ATIC.

Previous selection of IATC hosts

ATIC has chosen IATC locations taking into consideration the strength of the applicant’s proposal and their experience in hosting previous conferences. ATIC has also attended to the movement of IATC between geographical and cultural locations, including alternating each hemisphere, and English-first-language to non-English first language, to assist in facilitating international awareness and the healthy development of international adventure therapy.

Consideration is given to the ability of the applicant to demonstrate their commitment to furthering the ATIC mission. In efforts to streamline the selection process, required information has been judged by pre-determined criteria.

IATC host selection

Written proposals from interested parties wishing to host the next IATC are to be received by ATIC four months prior to the upcoming conference.  The successful host will be announced at that conference to ensure forward momentum and sense of purpose is maintained. The call for proposals will be distributed throughout the international adventure therapy community.

Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC) invites written proposals from interested parties wishing to host the Tenth International Adventure Therapy Conference (10IATC) in 2025 * note this is now later than it was due to the deferred date of 9IATC.

Required information provided by host applicants

Proposals are to be 3-4 pages in length (approx. 2000 words) and include the following information:

  1. Information about the host committee
    • List applicant’s credentials and history in event planning or plans to use event services.
    • List key host committee members names and affiliations.
  2. Resources of host group
    • List sponsoring organization(s) and brief history, as well as allied/supporting organizations.
    • Identify national AT networks or organizations
    • List financial resources secured and proposed
  3. The proposed location
    • Identify specific town and region
    • Describe benefits of, and access details for this location
    • Identify any social-cultural-political-health risks associated with this location
  4. The proposed venue
    • Identify specific venue and its capacity
    • Describe rationale for venue
  5. Community resources to support the conference
    • Describe community amenities relevant to hosting
    • Describe potential for community engagement (e.g., local AT programs)
  6. Consideration of carbon footprint
    • Describe efforts to reduce waste and minimize environmental impacts
  7. Possible theme(s) for the conference
    • Describe how these theme(s) address current AT needs, issues and/or future direction
    • Describe how these theme(s) will be enhanced by the host location, venue, and/or resources.
  8. Outline processes for “Call for papers and workshops”, IAT promotion and marketing plan
  9. Proposed budget
    • Outline of projected number of delegates, expected and forecast income and expenditure
    • Estimate of delegate registration cost(s)
  10. Name and contact details of convener(s), including telephone number, postal- and email address.

Please send your proposal as an attachment in both Microsoft Word and PDF format                             to the Adventure Therapy International Committee – Email:  

Proposals shall be received by ATIC by 1 Dec 2021 (see contact details below). The successful host will be decided in ATIC meeting in Feb 2022 and will be expected to present plans for 10IATC during the ATIC pre-conference in Kristiansand, Norway, and at the 9IATC itself.