Archè Società Cooperativa Sociale

The Archè Social Cooperative Society was founded in 2005 in Trento, aiming to improve the inclusion and quality of life of fragile people by using different sport practices, especially outdoors and in water. Sport in particular is, in Archè mission, at the service of people with disabilities, to implement their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem, to increase their psychomotor skills and to assist the classic therapeutic paths that are carried out by public and private institutions. Each year, Arché welcomes about 1500 people and more or less 40 cooperatives or associations, offering their services through the sports of sailing, rowing, SUP surfing, canoeing / kayaking, and specific educational activities within e outside the school. Archè's path starts in 2007 with the sport of sailing in the Garda lake during summer season, involving different kinds of people (children, elderly and people with disability) and designing different experiences according to the needs of its user. In 2012 Archè started a new activity, remaining in the world of outdoor sports related to water: the Stand Up Paddle Surf (SUP) at the Ekon Center on Caldonazzo lake. There, during the years, Archè developed a specific method to work with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, thanks to the collaboration with the Trento University (Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science) and the Verona University (Department of Sport Science), and introduced new water-sports. Nowadays, from September to June, Archè works with schools and families, to maintain the relationship with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to support students with different difficulties. Archè’s educators work both in the classrooms and - in the afternoon - outdoors, using different kind of activities to improve self-esteem and self-confidence.