Gap Year Programs

For more information on the benefits of taking a gap year download the article: God in the Gap Year: The Benefits of Taking Time Off Before Going to College (.pdf)

Listen to a 60-second radio feature about “The Benefits of Taking a Gap Year Before Going to College” here.

OneLife Institute (Lancaster, PA)
The mission of OneLife is to build a strong foundation in the lives of today’s youth, educating and engaging them to live as next-generation leaders completely surrendered to God for His Glory. By providing an intense discipleship culture in which students interact constantly with professors, staff members, and mentors in a relationship-oriented environment, OneLife seeks to instill in our students a life-long passion for the Gospel in all areas of life.

Global Year (Woodstock, GA)
A Global Year provides 18-25 year old students with a nine month journey in a foreign country, where you will learn a foreign language, immerse into a cross-cultural experience and grow into a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. While a student could get a taste of God’s heart for the nations on a summer or spring break mission trip, the hope of a Global Year is to take you deep below the surface of ministry and discipleship, allowing you to be completely covered in God’s unfailing love for you and His passion to show that love to the nations.

Impact 360 (Pine Mountain, Georgia)
An interactive and experiential living/learning community focusing on biblical Christian worldview, vocational understanding, spiritual and life formation, and a month-long international experience. Mission: Equipping young adults to become Christ-centered servant leaders.

Joshua Wilderness Institute (Hume, California)
Our mission statement at Joshua, “Transforming the Life Effectiveness of God’s People” is simple. But the process by which this mission is realized is anything but. Utilizing a combination of theology, Bible study skills, philosophy and worldview training, evangelism, character development, personal life skills, and monthly mission trips, we endeavor to expose students to life, guide them to discern God’s will, and cultivate a spiritual passion and calling.

Kanakuk Link Year (Branson, Missouri)
Provides college credit, individualized mentoring, focused discovery of spiritual gifts and identity, spiritual growth and Biblical training for college and encouragement toward world and community impact.

School of Discipleship (Willis Point, Texas)
A one-year missions internship program designed to challenge and establish young adults in their walk with Christ through service in ministry, the careful study and application of God’s word, and fellowship with other like-minded believers who wholeheartedly love Jesus and want to make His name known. Participation in School of Discipleship means serving with the largest missions organization working in South Asia. Students receive practical training needed for living out a Christian life and equips them with missions ministry experience all while helping reach millions with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

SCORE International’s GAP YEAR (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic)
This is a program for High School graduates ages 18-25 who will live and study in Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic. The GAP YEAR program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to become fluent in Spanish and at the same time experience what it is like to be a missionary. Students study theology, evangelism and missions and have the chance to experience hands-on mission work every week. Orientation is in September and graduation is in May.

Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp (Canadensis, Pennsylvania)
Located in the Pocono Mountains of PA, the camps mission is to point people to Christ. Spruce Lake Wilderness Camp recruits 8 interns each year to join the staff and take significant roles in ministry. Interns are mentored both personally and professionally, trained and encouraged to grow as a leader all within the context of camp ministry. These positions will be responsible, accountable staff positions working alongside and learning from our core staff ministry professionals.

Summit Semester (Pagosa Springs, Colorado)
Up to 30 students each year learn from some of the top Christian scholars in the country. The program nurtures spiritual formation and hones intellectual skills, while also helping students develop strong interpersonal relationships. The goal is to prepare students for the challenges they will face at the university while motivating them to be influential leaders, shaping the ideas of culture for the glory of God and the good of our society.

True North (Morris, Pennsylvania)
A nine-month experience designed to equip college-aged students for missional living in the 21st century through Biblical training, cross-cultural ministry, and hands-on service.

Tulsa Link Year (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
A gap year program with a unique location in the heart of a thriving city. You will spend the year walking beside youth and their families, and getting the guidance of some of our city’s best leaders. You’ll be in classes every week with other friends in the program who may have other internship sites here in the city. And you’ll learn from each other about how to be the best you can, while discovering who God has made you to be.

Vanguard: The Gap Year of Wheaton College (Three Lakes, Wisconsin)
Outdoor adventure, Christ-centered community, and inquiry-led learning integrate to create a transformational year. Vanguards travel internationally and domestically to broaden their worldview, take on meaningful work to develop robust skills, and participate in professor-led seminars to explore life’s biggest questions. Taken together, these experiences allow Vanguards to complete the year with 8 hours of transferable college credit. It’s an unforgettable 9-month journey for those who desire to strengthen their faith, are indecisive about what follows high school, or need to recharge before starting college. Embrace the adventure, explore Vanguard!

WalkAbout (Rocksprings, Texas)
Intensive Gap Year Christian discipleship program for students 18-24 years of age. This residential program takes place at the Camp Eagle campus, where students live, learn, and serve in community. The program runs from mid-August to mid-May.

Youth for Christ/World Outreach (EMBARK Internships)
World Outreach is Youth for Christ USA’s “vehicle” for connecting staff to the bigger picture of the worldwide movement of YFC International. EMBARK INTERNSHIPS are opportunities for Christian “18-29 year olds” to serve alongside local Youth for Christ missionaries and indigenous staff who are building relationships with youth and young adults around the world, for the purpose of sharing the love of God and saving message of Jesus Christ.