About GMC
Founded in 2006 by Peter Mayfield, a successful leader, pioneer, and innovator in mountain sports programs, Gateway Mountain Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation operating under a Special Use Permit from Tahoe National Forest.
Gateway Mountain Center brings together the transformative power of human connection and nature immersion to help young people learn, heal, and thrive.
Our innovative, science-based method called 4Roots for Growing a Human supports the emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being of all young people — regardless of where they come from, their life experiences, and their physical abilities.
Our work happens in all the places where young people need this support. That includes working with schools, collaborating with community groups and youth organizations, offering services at our community wellness center, and delivering our clinically supervised, nature-based, therapeutic mentoring program.
Our holistic programs tap into the transformational power of nature—both as a teacher and as medicine.
Our work spans nature immersion and environmental literacy experiences, social-emotional learning, peer support, and clinically supervised, nature-based, therapeutic mentoring. Our innovative, science-informed method intentionally weaves the wonder and awe of nature with healthy risk-taking to support transformation. We apply our 4Roots method across our organization to inspire young people to become curious, confident, connected, and resilient individuals —with the tools and skills they need to make healthy choices and navigate opportunities and challenges in their everyday lives.
Our guides and therapeutic mentors lean into the proven power of authentic relationships, meeting young people where they are with openness and compassion, nurturing self-awareness and igniting the passion for self-discovery.
Informed by our 4Roots method, we help young people achieve their healthiest selves. Across our work, we strive to foster a sense of connection, belonging, and community in young people. We stand with them, walk alongside them, explore new adventures with them, cross rivers, climb rocks, and discover trails — whatever it takes for them to feel healthy, cared for, and empowered.
Our commitment to equity means we see and hear each and every young person for their whole self, supporting the totality of their development and well-being.
Our work is grounded in the belief that all young people — regardless of where they come from, their life experiences, and their physical abilities — should have the opportunity to benefit from the transformative power of nature at a time when their brains and bodies, sense of self, and emotional capabilities are still developing. Our equity committment also extends to meeting families wherever they are in their financial circumstances.
We believe that young people learn, heal, and thrive through the transformative power of authentic relationships. Authentic relationships provide safe, supportive spaces for young people to grow self-awareness, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
At Gateway Mountain Center, we:
Actively and genuinely listen to young people, validate their emotions, and help them unearth the roots of why they feel stuck in cycles that may be limiting their possibilities.
Support self-awareness, self-discovery, and curiosity.
Reaffirm to them that they matter and that their ideas and experiences are important for their community and the world.
Provide consistent, judgment-free, and empathetic connections that meet each young person where they are.
Create a safe and supportive community
Remind them that there is nothing wrong with them and the world has a place for every single one of us.
Work with the families and communities of the youth we serve, nurturing the ripple effects of the transformative power of nature to help them build connections with themselves, their loved ones, and the community around them.