Transforming youth through adventures in nature and wellness.
Gateway Mountain Center’s mission is to positively transform the lives of youth. By connecting to self, nature, and community, youth of all backgrounds Learn, Heal & Thrive! We do this through high-impact nature-based learning, wellness adventures, and innovative, non-traditional therapeutic approaches to mental health and wellness.
Since 2006, we have served over 25,000 youth of all backgrounds. As an innovator in youth development, we operate three programs: Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies; Sierra Experience and 4Roots Wellness.
The Need
We see disconnection as the root of all symptoms. Today’s youth have reduced resilience, connection with nature, and unstructured time for outside play. On average, youth today play outdoors for 4 -7 minutes per day. We are seeing many stressful symptoms from Nature Deficit Disorder. Screen use is at an all-time high. Climate change is upon us, requiring a renewed passion for enviro-literacy. Youth mental health imbalances are on the rise, and our mental health care systems are increasingly ineffective. California has the largest economy in the US and yet is ranked 33rd in youth mental health care. Academic focus and achievement have decreased and kids are reporting that they feel more isolated, lonely, and socially awkward than ever.
Our Solution
We turned 40 years of elite mountain guiding and youth development into ground-breaking new initiatives with real accessibility for supporting the health and wellness of youth, families, schools, and communities. We spark enthusiasm for learning with enriching project-based activities, leading-edge adventures, therapeutic wellness, and field science curricula. We make learning fun, experiential, and personally relevant. Our transformative method is called 4Roots for Growing a Human. Embedded in all of our programs, our method supports life-changing, collaborative experiences for young people. In all programs, we create experiences that youth WANT to connect with. In these lived experiences, youth learn how to thrive.
We Do One Thing
Our 4Roots Method works. We apply our method across all of our programs in different dosages.
A high-need youth in crisis gets a different dosage of our 4Roots Method in our WHMB program than a young scholar in receives through our Sierra Experience field science program. They both need to engage in a discovery and connection process, internally and externally. As connections increase, we start asking better questions. In this, we make meaning.
Our Theory of Change
We build authentic relationships to strengthen connections with the parts that are intact, whole, and inherently good. Using a trauma-informed lens, we identify needs, values, and passions; develop vital Social and Emotional skills; and actualize a deep, embodied understanding of what supports peak experiences, healing, and self-acceptance.
Our Method: 4Roots for Growing a Human
From the 25,000 youth we have had the privilege of learning from, we’ve discovered four key relational principles, or roots, for thriving. These Four Roots are:
1. Authentic Relationship
2. Connection with Nature
3. Embodied Peak Experience
4. Helping Others
Mindfulness is the soil they grow in. Our method is deeply informed by Nature RX, Sensory Processing skills and the flow-state cycle.
Learn more about our 4Roots Method
Gateway Moments
