Organization Team

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Organizing Committee Head and Scientific Board Head

Jiri Kirchner, Ph. D. is president of the European Science and Art Corporation. He graduated from Charles' University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Prague and defended his Ph. D. thesis about adventure sports and its influence on psychological state. He was Guarantor of the bachelor degree in Outdoor Activities at J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Rep.) and coordinator of Experiential Education and Outdoor Studies Summer School (EEOSSS), is a member of the Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC), main secretary of the Czech Sport Psychologists Association and European Science and Art Publishing Editorial Board Head. He was working for Ostrava 2015 – Candidate for the European Capital of Culture as a project coordinator. Jiri's specialization is experiential education, adventure therapy, stamina and music psychology, curriculum development, outdoor sports, music, management and marketing of creative industries. He is an active player on double bass, piano, guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, accordion, percussion, drums, dulcimer etc.

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PR & Communication Department Head

Before her maternity leave, Hana worked for the organization Dermacol, as a sales manager for the Czech Republic.  Presently she is taking care of her two rascals, (her husband and a 3 year old son), both outdoor adventures inclined.  Her maternity leave is due at the same time as the conference abstracts, which means,  that after this date, the conference fees increase due to no governement support.  She will continue to work full time as part of the organization team.

Jakub Hasil, MSc.
Resource & Technical Department Head

Jakub Hasil is a graduate of Charles University, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, department of Sport Management.  Jakub’s present job takes him into a role of an organizer of various sporting competitions. Since the year 2000,  Jakub has been a chairman of the World Table Hockey Association. In addition to table hockey competitions, Jakub also organizes outdoor camps and a variety of other leisure activities for children and youth. Jakub also helps fundraise for a mothers‘ centre in the city of Most. Jakub’s role in this organization team is acting as a fundraising specialist,  raising financial support from various grants. This special role is keeping us all in line with our spending and watching our spending habits too - assuring that everything works as a well-oiled machine.

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Petra Fantova, MSc., BA, MA
Post-Conference Programme Head

Petra Fantova has graduated from the Faculty of Education in Usti nad Labem (UJEP), majoring in Physical Education and Geography. After her graduation she moved to the United States of America (California), where she improved her English, worked with children, and studied at West Valley College – majoring in Web Design and Production with an emphasis in Production, where she got her A.S. degree (Associate in Science). She also spent a lot of time travelling and exploring the diversity of the country. In her free time she likes to play sports, communicate with people, and read books. Now, she works as a Teacher Assistant at an elementary school in Blue Hills in Cupertin, where she assists both children and the teacher. It’s her experience from the trips and knowledge of various cultures that qualifies her to prepare, organize, and lead the post-conference program that will be focused on introducing the cultural specifics of the Czech conception of the Adventure Therapy and Outdoor Education, which might benefit and inspire the Adventure Therapy global development.  

Veronika Wölfelova
Graphic designer, webmaster 

Veronika is a student at Bohemian glassworks high school in Kamenicky Senov, Europe’s oldest school of its kind. She specializes predominantly in computer graphics. Veronika’s graphics will be used in a variety of suporting  conference materials and brochures. Being an avid climber and an outdoor enthusiast, we believe that her passion for the outdoors will be displayed in her graphic design , encouraging those seeking adventures  and interest in adventure therapy. Feel free to take a look at the 5IATC layout, which was also designed by Veronika. 

Edward M. Benes
WebSite developer

A telecommunications and internet technology enthusiast, Edward works at the computer science centre at Usti University. Edward's present interest is mainly his little daughter, as well as being the commander for the volunteer firefighting crew. Due to his voluntary activities, a use of friendly forcing agents is sometimes necessary in order to present you with the timely and innovative 6IATC website.

Blanka Markova, MSc.
Resource support

Blanka Markova is a PhD student of Political and Cultural Geography, faculty of Science, at Ostravska University, as well as a member of the academic board for the faculty of Science. Currently she is the president of Sustainable Development Institute and the Commnications and Development manager for the National Cluster Association. Blanka is also a member of the regional management centre. She was also a project developer for the city of Ostrava nomination as the cultural capital of Europe. Blanka took part in a 6 month intership with Austrian consulting company CIMA Osterreih GmbH (2005). Blanka specializes in cultural politics and governance, cluster initiatives and city marketing. She enjoys travelling, snowboarding and listening to alternative music. Blanka's family owns vineyards in Southern Morava, which proves her to be a wine connoiseur. A wine lover herself, she will be happy to persuade you of the best wines in the area. Another part of the Moravian culture is introducing you to the best quality wine , which Blanka will be responsible for at this conference.

Katarina Steele, BA.
Organizing support

Born in Slovakia, Katarina is excited to be a part of the organizing team for the 6th Adventure Therapy Conference. Katarina currently lives in Canada, where she studied Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism. Since her graduation, she's been provided with a variety of opportunities in an outdoor experiential and wilderness education. Katarina was first introduced to adventure therapy at the 2IATC in Victoria, Canada, inspiring her to pursue adventure therapy in future. She is currently working as a Youth and Family Support Worker with Enviros Wilderness School. One of Enviros' programs is an intensive, 3 month adventure-based wilderness program for youth and families. This program provides support for healing from substance abuse issues in a residential setting of the Ghost Wilderness of Alberta. Katarina's passion for adventure and travel has taken her around Canada and the United States; allowing her to pursue many climbing, mountaineering and skiing adventures.

Gill Houlsby, BA.
Organizing support

Gill Houlsby has a first class BA (Hons) in Outdoor Studies. She completed her undergraduate studies at St Martin's College, Ambleside and Charles University, Prague. Since then Gill has followed her interests in International Dimensions and Therapeutic applications. Gill has worked as an outdoor practitioner in many setting over the years with a focus on supporting young people in care and with learning difficulties. She has also designed and implemented a therapeutic outdoor learning programme for young people with autism. Gill is currently completing her MA in Art Therapy. As a trainee she worked in a hospice where she was part of running an outdoor art therapy programme. She was also part of organising an exhibition and a study weekend considering the links between Art Therapy, Nature and the outdoors. Gill has a keen interest in ecopsychology and is exploring this further in her Independent Study which is a creative enquiry into the concept of an ecological self-portrait. Gill was invited to run the Aesthics & Creativity module on the Outdoor Studies course at the University of Cumbria and has contributed lectures and workshops to both under and post graduate modules since. Gill has represented her country in white water rafting in European Cup and Championship events between 2007 and 2010. Gill has recently taken on a facilitator's role at a values led leadership centre on the Isle of Skye. She is enjoying the island lifestyle and also volunteers for the local Mountain Rescue team. In her spare time she enjoys cycling, kayaking and being creative. Gill’s main responsiblity in our organization team will be to create a conference newsletter – a daily compilation of conference happenings, news and bits of relevant professional or entertaining information.

Dipl. Ing. Lucie Halakucova, BSc.
Environmental Keeper

Lucie Halakucova works as a manager of campaigns to promote Environmental Education in Czech Republic. She graduated from Czech Technical University, Department of Landscape Engineering, and in her bachelor and master thesis dealt with the issue of biodegradable waste in selected cities. She also received a bachelor degree in Outdoor Activities from the University in Usti nad Labem. She linked her studies from both universities and wrote her bachelor thesis focusing on the environmental games in nature. Outside of work she likes to travel and she also actively engages in various sports such as outdoor sports, softball, squash, volleyball, etc. Within the organizational team for the 6IATC, she is responsible for the conception that will have the least possible intrusive impact on conference activities so they will not damage the unique natural area, where the conference will be held as it is under the protection of UNESCO. Therefore, you can be certain that she will be the one to punish or sanction you for every discarded piece of paper or hike in a protected area.