Gap Year Base Camp Blog

Summer 2025 Solved. Let's do Europe!

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:45:50 GMT

Ready to Travel Europe This Summer? Here's How You Can Start Your Journey with Confidence and Friends!

I am so excited to share this collaboration with my gap year friend, Blake Boles , founder of Unschool Adventures. Besides being the adventure of a lifetime, it's so very affordable! Read all about it!

Gap Year Launchpad: Explore, Learn, Grow – Together.

Are you dreaming of exploring Europe, but find the idea of solo travel a bit overwhelming? We have the perfect solution for you.

We're thrilled to announce our new Gap Year Launchpad program, a partnership with Unschool Adventures that will set you on the path to an incredible journey! This is a unique opportunity for 18- to 23-year-olds to kickstart their first big trip alongside a group of motivated peers – and we're giving you everything you need to get started:

�� A base in the heart of Brussels for 10 days of travel training
�� A Eurail pass to explore Europe at your own pace
�� Expert guidance from Blake Boles and Ivey Patton
�� Then you launch into Europe with newfound friends and confidence

When & Where?
�� June 9-19, 2025
�� Brussels, Belgium

�� June 19-?, After your 10 days of intense (and fun!) travel training in Brussels, you will set out on your own European Adventure with your new friends, with our continued support!

Who Can Join?
�� 20 young adults (ages 18-23) eager for adventure

Cost:
�� $1900 before Dec 1, 2024
�� $2100 after Dec 1, 2024

Why is this the Best Deal Ever?

Here's the kicker: The cost of Gap Year Launchpad is the same as my regular gap year counseling package. If you were already considering signing up for my gap year coaching services, then now is the time – because you'll receive a European adventure alongside all my counseling services…for free! If you weren't considering gap year counseling, it's still an amazing deal. Summer programs for young adults are wicked expensive and this offers so much more! We will share ways to raise money for your trip as well as ways to travel safely on an extreme budget, so if you want a big bang for your travel dollars…THIS IS IT!

Travel is better with friends, and this is the perfect way to learn, connect, and explore before diving into your independent travel journey. From safety and budgeting to creating meaningful experiences, we'll cover it all during our 10 days in Brussels. Then, it's up to you: with a Eurail pass in hand and new friends by your side, your adventure continues – for as long as you want!

This program isn't just about travel. It's about learning by doing, growing with peers, finding your path and feeling the thrill of exploring the world with confidence. You'll live in the bustling heart of Brussels, join in on workshops, small-group adventures, and get hands-on travel training. Most importantly, you'll leave feeling ready to make your travel dreams a reality.

Spaces Are Limited – Apply Now!
�� Travel, train, and explore with us this summer. Spots are limited, and applications are open now! Don't miss your chance to save $200 and join the adventure of a lifetime.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY NOW

How to Write a College Deferral Letter

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 14:00:48 GMT

A guide to writing a deferral letter for students taking a gap year

Taking a gap year can be a life-changing decision, offering a break from the academic grind to explore the world, gain life experience, or discover new passions. However, if you've been accepted to a college and want to defer your enrollment, you’ll need to formally request this from your school. Writing a strong deferral letter is the first step in securing approval for your gap year.

Why a Gap Year Improves Your College Experience

Time for Personal Growth: College is demanding, and taking a year to grow personally can enhance your confidence, maturity, and readiness to dive into university life.
Clarify Academic and Career Goals: A gap year can help you figure out what you really want to study by giving you hands-on experiences related to potential career paths.
Cultural Awareness and Empathy: Living or volunteering abroad offers exposure to different perspectives, which makes you a more well-rounded student.
Combat Burnout: After high school, many students feel exhausted. A gap year offers a mental and emotional reset.
Better Academic Performance: Studies show that students who take a gap year tend to have higher GPAs than their peers who go straight to college.

Writing the Perfect Deferral Letter

When writing your deferral letter, be honest and specific about your plans for the gap year. Be sure to:

Address the letter to the admissions office (or the specific person handling deferrals).
Mention your excitement for attending the college, showing that you still plan to enroll.
Detail your gap year plans—whether they involve travel, work, volunteering, or personal development.
Explain how the gap year will enhance your college experience, making you a better student.
Be concise and thank the admissions team for considering your request.

Sample Deferral Letter

Emily Neiman
325 Maple St.
Denver, CO
emilyneiman@email.com
122-333-444
Sept 21, 2024

Admissions Office
University of Colorado
123 Main St.

Boulder, CO 123456

Dear [Admissions Team or Specific Name],

I am writing to formally request a deferral of my enrollment at [College Name] for one academic year, beginning in [year]. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the incoming class and remain very excited to attend [College Name] in the following year.

During my gap year, I plan to [briefly explain your plans]. These experiences will allow me to gain valuable life skills, broaden my cultural understanding, and clarify my academic and professional aspirations, which I believe will enable me to contribute meaningfully to the campus community when I begin my studies.

I truly appreciate your consideration of my request. Please let me know if any additional information is required.

Thank you again for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to attending [College Name] in [year].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Reasons to Defer College for a Gap Year

Travel and Cultural Exploration: A gap year allows students to experience new countries, languages, and cultures, giving them a global perspective that will enrich their college experience.
Professional Experience: Whether through internships, work, or volunteering, students can gain real-world experience that makes them more mature and goal-oriented when they begin college.
Service and Volunteering: Many students use their gap year to give back through volunteer programs, learning empathy, leadership, and community-building skills.
Personal Passion Projects: A gap year can give you time to pursue passions, whether it’s writing a book, starting a business, or learning a new skill.

Are you a stressed out senior?

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 18:04:53 GMT

The gift of time...a gap year is an excellent alternative

One thing that I often hear is that the senior year is very stressful. I believe that stress is largely a good thing, but high school seniors truly do have a load on their shoulders. Let's look at just a few of the things that might be stressing them.

College Applications
Competitive Admissions
Financial Concerns (HUGE debt that might take a lifetime to pay off.)
Decision-Making Pressure (please tell us what you want to do with your life right now so that you can study it for 4-12 years AND pay for all of that.)
Expectations from Others
Fear of the Unknown (Leave home, start a new life…)
Balancing Responsibilities
Pressure to Succeed
Social Comparisons
Parental and Peer Expectations
Testing Stress
Fear of Rejection
Time Management
Transition Anxiety

OK folks. Can we agree that this is a doozy of a list?

I was listening to a podcast from one of my favorite gap year providers (he's been at it for 25 years) and he said that the enormous weight of 'figuring it all out' is the hardest part of being a young adult. That we take away the magic of discovery when we weight it with so much expectation and expense. Especially now, when their future is somewhat maligned by the state of the world.

When I was in college it was affordable and not so darn stressful.

LOOK AT MY COLLEGE INVOICE ABOVE!

I lived in the dorms! It was $293 per quarter!

Tuition was $414!

For the meal plan it was $333 for 20 meals a week FOR THE QUARTER!!!! Books….$100???!!!

I can't stop with the exclamation points!!!!!!!

If you have a kid in college you know that this is crazy. I can't open an email without a random $80 fee tacked onto it.

The crazy business of visiting colleges from here to Timbuktu hadn't begun. There was really only one option and you're looking at it. When I attended, college offered a great opportunity to explore and try on different fields of study. I wasn't bankrupting my future or my parent's retirement. I could dabble (and dabble I did) and I could fail. (did that, too) But I wasn't penalized financially because of it.

Long story short…a gap year is a great choice.

Embarking on a journey beyond the traditional bounds of academia can be a transformative decision for a high school senior, and a gap year stands out as a compelling choice. As a senior, the pressure cooker of college applications, competitive admissions, and financial concerns can feel overwhelming. A gap year offers a powerful antidote to these stresses, providing a unique opportunity for personal and academic growth.

Consider the freedom to breathe and reflect outside the whirlwind of application deadlines. A gap year allows you to step back, gain clarity, and define your dreams and aspirations on your terms. This pause is not just a break; it's a chance to see the bigger picture and make more informed decisions about your future.

Standing out in college admissions is a universal aspiration, and a gap year can be your secret weapon. Use this time to build experiences that set you apart, not only making your applications shine but also enriching your understanding of the world. This isn't just about getting into college; it's about preparing for a future where your unique experiences become your greatest assets.

Financial concerns often loom large, and a gap year isn't a detour—it's a bridge. Take this time to work, save, and alleviate those worries. Use your earnings to invest not only in your education but also in a broader perspective that will serve you well in the long run.

Decision-making pressure is real, and a gap year provides the space to explore interests and discover your true passions. It's a chance to redefine success on your terms, untethered from external expectations. Take control of your narrative, and let your journey be the guide.

Social comparisons and the fear of rejection lose their grip in the face of a gap year's resilience-building power. Embrace the unknown, face rejection with a newfound understanding that it doesn't define you, and bounce back stronger. The lessons learned during this year of self-discovery become an invaluable part of your narrative.

In a world that often feels like a race against time, a gap year is your time. It's a deliberate pause, a structured adventure, and a tool for building resilience, confidence, and a unique perspective. So, high school senior, consider the power of a gap year—a bridge to a future where your journey is as important as the destination.

I could go on and on….and I did. :) Please reach out if you know a dear young soul who is eager to explore the world, themselves and how those two things can intersect in harmony. I have ideas and inspiration for every budget.

The Last Frontier Still Exists

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 18:28:54 GMT

It's time to stake your claim

Since childhood I have lamented that there was no new frontier to be discovered. No new land beyond the horizon to be charted or unspoiled continent to explore. We've done a great job of spoiling and conquering and have left very few stones unturned when it comes to exploration. As a child, my favorite days were spent exploring the woods, creeks, abandoned properties, train trestles, back roads and ponds of south Georgia, always via bike. I think that I was always looking for snakes or some sort of child-sized danger. I'm thankful that my parents gave me almost total freedom to slog through swamps, trespass willy nilly, and step into a world of my own design. After a long (hot) morning of exploring you'd find me either at the library, in the cool dim stacks or at the club, playing Marco Polo in the pool or Spades around a table under the shade of an umbrella, probably drinking a grape Fanta and eating peanut butter crackers. Sometimes I'd hit tennis balls on the backboard. At the end of the day I'd roll my swim suit into my towel and pedal home with stories to tell, along a trail that I had made myself.

I'm so thankful that cell phones didn't exist and that kids weren't yet a casualty to fear and the need to schedule and achieve. I got to experience pure freedom and to do the things that sang to my soul. My parents let me be and they themselves weren't being 'influenced' to interfere with my childhood. I don't think we can even imagine that these days.

There's no ‘moral of the story' here. I've just been pondering how lucky my generation was and how unlucky the current generation is to be raised with ever-present screens. If you love a child, make sure you keep them from screens. If you love a teen, consider giving them the gift of time. Time to unplug and explore, time to chart their own path in the proverbial woods…free of a nagging and negative world. A gap year perhaps. To me, travel and nature are the last great frontiers. Thank goodness, we all get to discover new places and cultures. We each get to discover Italy and Paris, the coast of Maine or the steep mountain trail, and we get to discover ourselves along the way.

That's all I've got right now. If you are still thinking about a gap year for this-coming fall, you aren't alone, but we need to get busy! :) If you are thinking about next fall or spring, then let's get started. More people than ever are choosing a gap year.

UPDATE ON WHAT THE CHILD OF A GAP YEAR CONSULTANT IS DOING!

People often fear that a kid who takes a gap year might never come home. I'm here to confirm that it can happen. If you recall, middle child did three semesters abroad in Seville, Florence, and Argentina through a VERY COOL program. He fell in love with the Spanish language and, a year later, is still in Argentina. He is learning the language full-time and has great friends, an apartment and has started a language exchange with kids from all over south America. He created a plan to pay for this all himself and is more purpose-driven than he's ever been. During his gap time he has completed his freshman and sophomore year of college credits, with plans to finish. His gap year(s) opened up a new world that he never would have witnessed any other way.

This family said NO to a gap year

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 15:07:07 GMT

Have you made a life list yet?

Do you want to know the biggest objection I hear to a gap year?

Here it is. I heard it yesterday…”A Gap Year is disconcerting to us out of fear of losing focus.”

To which I say, it’s quite the opposite. A gap year ignites passion & purpose. It inspires and lends clarity.

ALLLLL the research points to this. You can read more about it here and here .

A 17 yr. old boy texted me the other day. (You can’t imagine how unusual that is!) He wants to take a gap year and says that there is no way his parents will ever let him. He’s a great student and will be able to go to any college he chooses. He wants a break. A short one, just one semester. He wants to experience new things and see a new part of the world before going to college. He’s willing to pay for it himself. He asked me to reach out to his dad and I did. I told him that it was unusual for his son to have found me, reached out, and asked for help. We talked about a gap semester. He said no way, no how. He said he’d outgrow this idea and that his parents knew best. .

Have you heard of Jim Goddard?

At the age of 15 (in 1939), he overheard his father talking with some friends. They were lamenting that they had done very few of the things in life that they actually wanted to do.

Jim wanted no part of this.

He “sat down at his kitchen table in Los Angeles and wrote three words at the top of a yellow pad, "My Life List." Under that heading, he wrote down 127 goals. He completed 109 of those goals. These were not simple or easy goals. They included climbing the world's major mountains, exploring from source to mouth the longest rivers of the world, piloting the world's fastest aircraft, running a mile in five minutes, and reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica."

Do you want to see the list of 15 yr. old Jim Goddard? You should. He didn’t outgrow it. It shaped his life. It’s here.

I’m not proposing milking poisonous snakes or retracing the travels of Alexander the Great. I'm just proposing a gap year.

Life is big, folks. There are so many right ways to go about living it. Let me help you chart a path. As always, please reach out with questions and join us below on Instagram to stay connected! If you know someone who would like this, please share!

And P.S. It's never too late to make a life list!

July 2021 Update

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 14:10:30 GMT

River Trekking, Walking the Camino, Road Trips and Pythons

This is my newsletter for July 2021.

I hope this finds you well. In southwest Colorado summer is heating up! The mountains are green and tourist season is in full swing in Durango. It's much appreciated after this past year. After my last two newsletters I had complaints, and I am here to rectify the problem! Several of you were miffed because I didn't include links to things that I find interesting or useful, as I have done in the past. Well, I'm so sorry. I didn't know and I'm on it.

The world is awake and these people are hiring! You can still get jobs this summer in beautiful locations with room and board provided. You're welcome.

During the pandemic I became a bit obsessed with a few different regions of Great Britain. I'm not sure why. I want to do this walk very badly, and the notion of pilgrimages and cathedral walks are fascinating to me.

I've always loved wild swimming, but this burley Brit is taking it to the next level and has basically invented his own new sport that's just pure genius. Why didn't I think of River Trekking? And the Lake District looks spectacular. Cornwall is also calling me and to scratch that itch, we've been watching this show from PBS Masterpiece Theater, which, unlike so many series these days, is fine for the whole family. If anyone is interested in an adult walking tour of England, let me know as I'd love to take a group! Seriously…reply to this email.

With all of this Brit love, you can imagine that I'm SUPER STOKED to be sending a client to go do this ! (next summer)

My other full-time obsession is walking the Camino de Santiago , known in English as the Way of St. James. There's too much information to share here, but know that there are many, many routes and it's on many a bucket list. Along the way, you can stay in either municipal or private albergues , special hostels designated solely for pilgrims on the Camino. I want to do the French route first, as it starts with a bang - crossing the Pyrenees before dropping into Spain.

Why the obsession with walking? A few years ago we took a family gap trip to Europe. In Rome, we went to the Vatican and were standing out front, in St. Peter's Square. An older couple, with backpacks and walking sticks asked us to take their picture, and we started chatting. They had just walked to Rome from Florence. We had just taken the train to Rome from Florence. I couldn't help but feel that they had certainly had the richer experience. We talked for a long time about the trail systems in Europe and they shared their favorites and that was it…the bee has been in my bonnet ever since and if you know me, you know that I have researched it ad nauseam.

The world’s happiest people eat this for lunch , day in and day out. Could you do this?

This article about travel and how to have a ‘happy vacation’ is good. After watching people maniacally video the fireworks on the 4th…which always befuddles me…it's good to know that I'm not alone on this. Want to have a better vacation? Take fewer pictures…and don't post them.

This serves no purpose whatsoever, but is probably my worst nightmare, so I thought I'd share. Just imagine the horror.

Along the same lines, next week I'm competing in this challenge , not because I'm a hunter or like killing…I don't. Why, you ask? It's not for the prize money…I have no designs on that. I'm doing it because invasive apex predators are NOT cool and destroy their ecosystems. The wholesale bird killing especially irks me. Florida birds are so amazing. And by the way, no guns are allowed. I had to get certified in order to compete, which was totally fun. I've ordered my snake hook…

As someone who has taken almost endless road trips, I found this list of road trips and scenic drives to be new and refreshing! You'll be pleased to know that it does NOT feature Route 66. Also, watch the ‘lake lodge’ video embedded in this article…they are good ones!

OK. Here is some amazing gap year information for you. Do you have a ho-hum student who didn't get into their top choice schools, or maybe any school? They want to go to college and stay on a 4 year track but would also love an adventure? Does Costa Rica sound fun? I am very excited to be working with a program that has an ingenious solution AND after a semester or year of study abroad guarantees college placement with full transferable credit. They also accept FAFSA and offer a $10,000 grant to folks with an income under 65K per year. This is big! If you are swift, I might could still make it happen for fall…but definitely spring! Reply to this email.

And lastly, hopefully, this popular link is at the end of its useful service…Where can US citizens go right now? Here is the updated list and it's obviously grown since the last newsletter.

I hope you are all feeling fine and stretching your 'adventure' muscles. Someone said, and I concur…"the world is a book and those who never travel read only a page." Whether you're 19, 49 or 69…consider a gap year. Your best life awaits and I've got inspiration and ideas galore!

What does a Gap Year Counselor do?

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:07:07 GMT

We inspire a year of adventure and self discovery!

Let's take a minute to talk about what a gap year counselor does. I get emails all the time from folks wanting help finding the right program for their young adult. They don't want just ‘any program’….they want to know what I think is the best program to fit their needs. And in a nutshell, that's what a gap year counselor does…recommends great programs from great providers that are vetted and time tested. We do not get paid by providers in any way. We offer our knowledge and experience within the gap year industry as a counselor, coach, or consultant.

One google search sends most folks running to a counselor because it's logistically overwhelming. There are literally thousands of programs. And if you're planning on spending between 10K and 50K, it just makes sense to consult an expert on the subject for a very reasonable fee.

After completing the survey and our initial interview, we will have established some goals and guidelines. That's when it gets fun. We will begin to recommend programs, trips, and plans for your gap year depending on your budget, desires and goals. We hope to stretch you a little and find an itinerary that will surpass your own expectations and we will certainly introduce some ideas and programs that you never would have thought of.

Here are some frequently asked questions about our services.

Do you apply to programs for me?

No. We recommend programs and you must apply. We can offer guidance and support, but it's very important that you be a good fit for your program.

Do you arrange travel for me?

No. We can recommend reputable companies to work with, but your travel arrangements are yours and you need to understand them inside and out, as you will be the one in the airport in Nairobi with a missed connection. :)

Do you work with parents or the young adult?

Excellent question! I primarily work with the one who will be taking the gap year! Makes sense, right? There is parent involvement at a certain level, but we will need to communicate primarily with the gap year participant for many, many reasons.

We offer other services, but the primary objective of a good counselor is to recommend a gap year provider or series of programs that is a ‘near perfect’ fit for your young adult…one that will impact their life and set them up for the best possible experience. We have several packages at GYBC and I think you'll find once we get started that the questions are plentiful and you'll be so glad to have a support system to lean on. We've introduced a new product, the Quick Consu lt, for those who have more basic needs and just want to ask a few questions. There is a counseling package to fit your needs and I think you'll find that it's an incredible value to have guidance and support for such a grand undertaking!

Is a gap year a good idea? Statistics say Yes!

iveypatton@gmail.com (Ivey Patton) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 17:30:17 GMT

Deep wisdom from an 18 year old who isn't ready for college...

Happy New Year! I'm so grateful for a fresh start! Here's a true story for you. The other day, at the grocery store, a parent of four wonderful kids stopped me in front of the pasta section, and in hushed tones, as though it were a bad thing, shared this sincere concern:

My youngest may not be ready for college.

That was rather anti-climatic, right? But she was so worried and at odds with the situation. She is part of a world, where, no matter what, kids go to college directly after high school. Her son, both smart and accomplished, had gotten into his top three schools, but had expressed no eagerness for the next step. His mother thought he was perhaps depressed or that there was an underlying problem. Dad was opposed to any choice other than college. She wanted choices….options. She wanted to know if I would chat with him. Well yes, of course.

I have two surveys and he filled out both. Some of his answers really made me laugh and some were soooooo insightful. He said that I could share them with you.

My second survey is designed to identify strengths and weaknesses so that we can compliment the first and fortify the latter. When you answer honestly it's revelatory.

It quickly became clear that this smart and funny 18 year old was 100% fine. Better than fine, actually. He was crystal clear on the fact that he had no idea what he wanted to pursue in college and that he wasn't ready to begin four more years of aggressive study. He had done well in high school, but it lacked meaning for him. He had just been checking off the boxes. It left him feeling flat and that surely there was more to ‘education.’ He had done ‘service projects’ for his college applications and participated in clubs and activities that were solely for show. This felt awful to him. After learning more about gap years and all the possibilities, he got excited. According to his mom, ‘he lit up.’

Do you know how fun it is to talk with young people and really listen to their needs and desires? So dang fun! It's even more fun to help create a gap experience that speaks to their ideas and furthers their field of inquiry.

THIS IS THE QUESTION ON THE SURVEY THAT GOT HIS ATTENTION.

QUESTION: By nature, are you able to advocate for yourself when things don’t happen as expected. Examples: a flight is cancelled and it affects all your plans, or your host family is not what you expected and you feel awkward and lonely, or your excursion is cancelled and you have to make plans on your own for the weekend…in Sri Lanka. No wrong answer here...but there are definitely travel situations to avoid if you are not one who can think on your feet, self advocate, and be flexible. Again no wrong answers...just mismatched programs! (Gap years DO fail and it's often because the reality of travel was not fully imagined and fear grabbed the wheel rather than persistence.)

He loved this question. Weird, huh? Here is his awesome answer. And high-five to being more self aware than most adults I know!

Everything in my life goes ‘as expected’. I am ready for the unexpected. I am ready to feel nervous and to solve problems that are real and matter TO ME. This makes me want to get on a plane to a foreign country right this minute, because I can feel the energy of what I don't know.

WOW! Poster child for a gap year, folks. He feels the energy of what he doesn't know. And wants to know it. And wants real world experience.

Most people, at age 18, are not equipped with the information needed to make decisions about the rest of their life. Pressure to know your career path is, in and of itself, detrimental. Not to mention pretty silly. At 18 and 19 we should be an open book. Yet we send our kids to college to declare a major that costs upward of 32K a year, and often much more. We give them complete freedom and expect them to make very mature decisions overnight in a setting that is known to be fraught with new temptations, peer pressure and real vices.

Here are some statistics providing evidence that it doesn't always work…

30% of students drop out of college after their first year.

Only 46% of students who attend college graduate

61% of college grads would change their majors if they could go back

80% of students in the United States end up changing their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

51% of college students struggle with anxiety and depression

IN CONTRAST

American universities say that students who took a gap year achieve 23% higher grades than students who went straight to college.

60% of gap year students said that they took their academics more seriously after taking a year off from education and had more clarity around their goals.

60% of gap year students said that a year out helped them decide their major and realize their future career direction, thus saving money by eliminating costly changes in majors.

I say it ALL THE TIME, but I'll say it again. A gap year is NOT a year off. It is a year of personal growth, empowerment, learning, adventure, relationship building, self discovery, and burgeoning awareness. It is for everyone…not the late bloomer or the poor student or the alt-learner. In fact, the majority of Gap Year Base Camp clients have gotten into their college first choice.

Those who include a gap year in their educational track have a STRONG advantage over those who do not. The gap year providers that we work with offer programs that will challenge and motivate your young adult to be their best self. Some are very expensive and worth every penny. I also love to create affordable gap year plans because a gap year should be available to EVERYONE!

If 2020 has taught us anything it's this…our world is shifting and changing. To be on the leading edge will require more than the status-quo and the college classroom is not the hallowed hall that it once was. Our willingness to pay exorbitant fees for a degree that ‘doesn’t pay' is being questioned. Colleges themselves are seeing the educational value of a gap year and are scrambling to build out their own experiential programs. Princeton offers a gap program to a select few freshman and it has been proven that the students who participate emerge with greater global competencies and a vast array of soft skills that make them more hirable than those who opted out of a gap year. Harvard encourages their incoming freshman to take a gap year. Because they know…

Gap Years are an integral part of education in Europe and Australia. If you have a high-achieving student, they have likely been running full tilt for the past four years preparing for admission to a selective college or university. A Gap Year offers a welcome opportunity to do something completely different before the next hard sprint.

But more importantly, it offers the first step in the truest and most vital education…knowing yourself and knowing the world that you will one day need to find your place in.

And did I mention that it will likely be the best year of your life? That's what most people say, when it's all said and done.

At GapYear Base Camp our students must take an oath of sorts. It's quite simple.

We believe that your gap experience will change you.

We believe that changed people create change.

We believe that you will become a better version of you in this process.

Stronger, kinder, wiser, bolder.

At the end of it all, we need for you….the world needs for you….to use your new super powers for good. To go forth and do good.

If you can say YES to this, then let's begin.

You'll need to jump right on it as our favorite programs are filling fast for 2021. Take the survey and let's begin the process.

Here's to 2021! The world awaits and you're invited!

Your online college plans just got awesome!

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:48:00 GMT

Hello All!

I hope your summer is shaping up! Southwest Colorado is lovely, with sunny days, cool nights, lush green mountains and sparkling waters. I’m grateful for my little mountain community, but am also eager to travel the world again. I’m popping in to update you on some AMAZING opportunities for this fall!

If you are absolutely & completely bummed about the idea of college being offered online then you aren’t alone. Or you might be dreading a campus where everyone is in masks, are distanced and extracurriculars are cancelled. My son is a senior and is considering taking a year off if his campus is virtual or highly restricted.

Gap year providers have been hard at work trying to pivot in these uncertain times and I am seeing some wonderful solutions!

If online college is in your future here is a GREAT PROGRAM from one of our partners. Read on….

“Think about it! As long as your classes are online, YOU CAN BE ANYWHERE! We have created something completely new- a remote campus located in the heart of adventure where students from ANY university taking their classes online can come together to learn and grow! So grab your friends or just make new ones and let’s all go to a lodge in Hawaii, a hostel in San Diego, a summer camp in North Carolina, or a resort in the Florida Keys, or any of our other incredible locations. We will make our own bubble of 12-30 students, head to the middle of somewhere amazing, and still have an epic semester of community and adventure while every student completes their own classes online. Think of it as taking your dorm room on the road, only better.

There are lodges, hostels, and summer camps that are sitting empty right now and we have booked them all to ourselves. Each location will have great WIFI, study halls and staff dedicated to helping you study and do your coursework during the day – and trips & adventures over the weekend! Kick off the semester with a week long adventure excursion to get to know your new “classmates” and spend the semester creating your ideal college experience.

This is the college semester experience you never knew you wanted! Let’s use this crazy time as an opportunity to do something different. Take your normal university classes online during the day and hit the the waves or the woods after class. You can still have college classmates and spend the semester with a smaller group that is able to create a safe yet dynamic and tight knit community!”

The price is similar to a typical dorm and offers tutors, support, small study groups, exciting extracurriculars and weekend adventures.

If this sounds interesting please respond to this email and we can schedule a consult.

Do I have other ideas for fall? Of course I do.

One of my favorite Gap Year providers has shifted their usual international program to an amazing domestic semester! Visit KROKA to learn about their Rio Grande Semester. My son says that the world should be required to attend Kroka…they are in the business of shaping great humans. It’s not fluffy. You will work hard for your reward. And you will emerge a different person. Stronger, tougher, better…with the confidence that comes from grit and perseverance. Starting in New England and making their way to the glorious canyons of the Rio Grande, this is a unique program that deserves your full attention, especially if you long for immersion in nature and deep community. And the time of your life!

What else?

A Great Western Gap Semester…

"Take a road trip to explore the gems of the west from the stunning peaks and plains of the Rockies in Wyoming and Montana, to the diverse rainforests and waters of the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. Our Northwest Gap Semester program builds upon our 38 year history of running programs right here in the United States, and provides access to experiences and partnerships seldom accessed by the average traveler. Hiking through Grand Teton National Park and taking a quick plunge in a turquoise alpine lake, we explore some of the most pristine wilderness of the west. Partnering with local conservationists in Yellowstone National Park, we understand the current threats to native wolf and grizzly bear populations. Getting our hands dirty and learning some of the basics of construction, we help provide an essential home for a family in need. Sleeping under the stars on a sailboat cruising through the San Juan Islands, we learn about marine ecosystems and life on (and under) the water. Trekking through the pristine wilderness of the Big Island of Hawaii, we fall asleep to the sound of waves meeting the sand and soak up the towering peaks and valleys of this unique volcanic landscape. The newfound insights gained from this in-depth look at some of the most famous landmarks of the American West leave our perspectives and appreciation for our own backyard changed forever."

“Can I take a Gap Year and get college credit?”

I get this question once a week!

The answer is yes. The Kroka program I mentioned above offers credit for its semester programs, as do many others by partnering with colleges for a win/win. If this is interesting to you, please reach out and we can take a deep dive into programs with sponsoring colleges.

There is more to share, but this was supposed to be short….so I’ll sign off. I will say that what I thought was going to be a non-existent gap year is turning into the biggest gap year ever and I am so proud of the youth who are saying no to compromise and yes to real learning, service, self exploration and a deeper experience. And to the providers who are ever committed to the fact that ‘not all classrooms have four walls!’

Forward ho, people!

Cheers to you all,

Ivey @ Gap Year Base Camp

The post Your online college plans just got awesome! Fall 2020 may be the best ever! appeared first on Gap year base camp .

What Does a Gap Year Look like for Fall 2020?

Wed, 27 May 2020 22:54:00 GMT

Hello All!

So much has changed since I wrote last! We started 2020 with high hopes, enthusiasm, and grand plans! The hopes were dashed, the plans cancelled and enthusiasm was replaced with a big dose of disappointment. We’ve made lemonade out of lemons and loved on that silver lining, but dang, what a bummer. We’ve embraced that too, because it’s how you move forward.

In the gap year world, when a virus moved across the planet, thousands of kids and families were put on alert, then red-alert, and then in a flurry of flights and lost memories, were sent straight home to quarantine. It was hard and sometimes scary and was a disappointing end to so many life long dreams.

Gap Year Base Camp had students in programs around the globe. Literally. They had passed that phase in the experience where it’s difficult and awkward, and were forming strong bonds with new friends and getting comfortable in their new culture. They were experiencing the satisfaction of feeling ‘a part of’ rather than ‘a stranger to’ when we had to slam on the brakes. It’s over. You must come home. And insult to injury….’you can complete this online.’ Well, no not really. Let’s be honest.

A grand adventure can’t really happen online. You can’t laugh under the stars with new friends online. You can’t taste that salty sweet Vietnamese rice concoction online. Or feel that unique travel anxiety of trying to figure out a train schedule in Chinese…. The deep learning that happens in a gap year has to do with pushing personal boundaries and crossing cultural ones. It’s not an online thing.

However.

I have total faith that we will one day soon be planning gap years abroad again. We are seeing shifts in that direction already. There have been lots of programs that have been cancelled for fall due to logistics, but we are also seeing plenty of programs that are pivoting and focusing more domestically and in smaller groups.

As some colleges are announcing online curriculums for fall, there are many students who are opting out of that compromise and choosing another path. The conversation around options is getting more and more creative, which is a hallmark of youth and ingenuity! I love it!

Read on to see what your choices might look like for a 2020 Gap Year and if you’d like to join a Fall 2020 Gap Year Cohort, well, right now is the time! We can help.

Reach out to me directly by responding to this email if you’d like to explore a fall adventure. We can hand tailor a unique experience…it’s what makes us tick at GYBC!

At Gap Year Base Camp we are quite busy keeping the faith! We hang our hats on travel and the promise of meeting our global friends…the one’s we don’t know yet…in foreign lands or on the journey.

We want to help you do the same and will be here when you are ready!

Big Love,
Ivey and the Gap Year Team

Wilderness Programs
Wilderness programs have an advantage during this strange time in that they are traditionally smaller groups and they happen in the wilderness. Most states have published guidelines that fall easily into line with current best practices, making it likely that your trip won’t get cancelled. We HIGHLY recommend Wilderness Programs for a transformative experience that will make you stronger, wiser, and will give you lifetime tools for excellent mental & physical health. Our favorite program still has some availability!

The Great American Road Trip (and a little Canada, too)
We live in amazing country and most young adults have seen very little of it! We have coordinated a trip with three friends that makes me jealous to think about! They are purchasing a van with saved funds, retrofitting it to travel/live in and have collectively created a network of friends and family to visit and work for along the way. They have a bucket list of things to do, eat, see, surf, hike, climb and jump from. By utilizing a work exchange program their trip will cost very little. Go gang!

A Personal Odyssey

Jack and Jillian, and yes, those names are for real, were sent home from their study abroad program this past spring. They are both juniors in college and have no desire to take their senior year of college online. So they aren’t. They are taking a semester off and going on an odyssey. These two friends, both history buffs, will travel the Lewis & Clark Trail by foot, bike, boat and 1996 Subaru. By all means, honk if you see them…somewhere between Washington DC and Washington state.

Links you’ll love & Inspiration for Adventure!

I’m a long time fan of Patagonia. They have created a volunteer action network that is truly revolutionary. If you have some spare time, lend a hand where you can. Especially right here right now, this meaningful work can make a difference.

Are you a parent with a child in high school, college or not? We have amazing, affordable programs that may provide that missing link of relevance and connection. (And PS…any age is the right age for self discovery.)

For the guys. Have you heard of EVRYMAN ? The New York times describes it as “crossfit for your emotions.” During normal times they offer transformational retreats and wilderness trips for men. Right now they are offering meetings and chances to connect personally online.

Studies show that people who take a gap year are better prepared for college, jobs, life, and strong relationships. Colleges actually advocate for students to do this because they come back more focused and prepared! Read all about it!

With deep regret, we have cancelled our 2020 Gap Year Training trip on the Oxford canal in England . We plan on putting it back on the schedule for next year and have left the trip listing up so that you can read all about it!

We will also be offering a trip to France and will be posting it in the coming months. If you’d like to be put on the wait list for either of these trips just respond to this email and let us know! See below.

We’ve been watching movies that sort of satisfy our wanderlust. This one is such fun!

Travel is not a reward for hard work, it is education for living. Give yourself or your young adult the gift of time. Time to learn, time to find their strengths and improve their weaknesses, time to dream, time to pursue that which sings to the soul. Time to experience their gifts and time to discern their path. No one has ever regretted a gap year.

Do you want to experience the nitty gritty wonder of India without leaving the couch? My son just finished this and loved it! And this . And this . He’s a HUGE reader. He was on Semester at Sea and one of his professors wanted his reading list after they got to talking…

And my absolute favorite instagram account is @1bike1world for pure happiness and travel inspiration. Dean, a burly welder from Scotland, decides to ride his bike around the world and is riding in Greece when he hears a tiny meow. Just follow him, please!

I just love this! Do you ever set unusual goals for yourself? This fellow made A LOT happen in 24 hours! Read the credits at the end carefully for a little fun bonus!

There are literally tens of thousands of gap year choices and they are overwhelming. You can spend hours, days, weeks, researching and still not know the right choice to make. Let our expertise make your experience better. We know the best programs, the ones to be avoided like the plague, and the many layers of details that need managing. In short, we’ve got your back. Gap Year Base Camp is ground zero for your Gap experience.

The post What Does a Gap Year Look like for Fall 2020? appeared first on Gap year base camp .

A Typical Gap Year: Part 2

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 17:35:00 GMT

I am often asked about a typical gap year trip. Here is Part 2 of a fun gap year experience! Read the first part in this series here.

After almost 3 months of fairly constant rowing and sailing, it was time for some land travel! Jack met his family in Den Helder, Netherlands, the northernmost tip of the country and they spent several weeks touring Europe: Amsterdam, Belgium, France, and back to England. In London they parted ways. Jack was headed to southern Italy. In high school, Jack’s family had hosted Alessandro Petrosulla, the local Rotary exchange student. Now Jack was going to stay with his family in Bari, Italy in the Puglia region. It would be tight…Mom, Alessandro, his older brother, Jack and their bizarre dog in a small apartment.

Bari, Italy

This is where planning a Gap Experience, or any experience for that matter, gets interesting. Bari isn’t in the travel guides. It’s a working class mid- size city that’s not especially noted for much. It’s not Rome or Florence or Venice. Jack was staying in a working class neighborhood with no remarkable architecture or landmarks. No trendy clubs or Michelin stars.

But here’s the kicker. Those things don’t matter. Jack was staying with a family who loved him. They treated him like a long lost brother, which he sort of was. They were grateful for Alessandro’s time in America. Alessandro shared his closest friends and despite the language barrier (that pesky language barrier…we keep meeting!) they howled with laughter, played soccer till deep in the night, cooked lavish pizzas together in outdoor ovens and met up at every opportunity. Alessandro’s sweet mother never stopped cooking, despite a full time job and a death in the family while Jack was there.

Jack loved the odd sweet breakfasts of espresso and sweet cakes, followed by more espresso and cigarettes at the little cafe down the street. He loved how they dressed so well for no occasion. He loved the pasta, pasta, and more pasta. He loved the fresh seafood, whole fish served on plastic platters. He did NOT love the raw fish, which Alessandro (and friends) would bang on a rock and eat. He loved how brutally honest the family was…grown children still at home, common in Italy, yelling and loving in tight quarters. He loved drinking a tiny limoncello after dinner and retiring to the balcony for yes, another cigarette. They road tripped and saw the sights, but mostly they just lived. A normal Italian life.

And there’s the beauty, folks. That’s special. Jack got to live, however briefly, a normal Italian life. It only cost him a plane ticket. Jack didn’t hit any bucket list destinations, or check off the classic tourist sites. He got something much better. He knows that the good life is as simple as a bowl of pasta with people who know how to laugh. He and Alessandro keep up and will meet again and again. Alessandro is in medical school. No one has died from smoking. Or carb overload.

After living his normal Italian life, Jack decided he’d like to see Athens, Greece. Our anxious 18 year old is now making international travel plans on a whim. He booked a ticket and hopped on a plane. He had researched hostels, and after landing made his way to his hostel. This sounds easy enough, but Greece is well, Greek. It’s bustling and chaotic and huge. Jack made friends at the hostel, saw the sites, and sometimes felt overwhelmed. All this too, is an education. He learned that he’d rather travel with a friend or companion. We all have a preferred comfort zone and it’s ok to push on it a bit, if you are safe and smart.

After ten days, Jack hopped on another plane, this time to Rome where he would then board a train to Florence for Part 2 of the Italian adventure. His travels included Switzerland, Germany, and back to France. Hello to the new person who can now hop on and off trains, flights, crush a language barrier, and navigate the unknown with ease and grace.

To make a long story short, Jack returned in time to enroll for a full load at his community college, made all A’s, and finished his freshman year with a 4.o and a passport that was full of stamps and memories enough for a lifetime! He used his sailing skills to land a fantastic job as a sailing instructor at a camp in North Carolina and made new friends and connections. He transferred to college, receiving a full merit scholarship and says he’s not done traveling!

UPDATE: Jack spent his junior year studying abroad in Madrid, Spain and on the MV World Odyssey Semester at Sea program. He had to order a new passport to fit it all in! He will graduate on time and is looking at medical schools...in Europe. The adventure continues.

What will your gap year experience look like? I bet it’s not typical!

Travel Note: Air travel in Europe is wildly affordable if you book in advance through certain airlines and follow the guidelines. Jack’s ticket to Greece was $45 dollars and his ticket back to Rome only $35.

Are you wondering about Tall Ship Adventures? Jack and his brother both received scholarships as first time ocean sailors. These are available to most everyone. GYBC can help you secure a scholarship for your sail adventure!

The post A Typical Gap Year: Part 2 appeared first on Gap year base camp .

A Typical Gap Year: Part 1

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 08:31:00 GMT

What does a typical gap year look like? I get that question fairly often. The truth is this. There is no typical Gap Year!

A gap year should be as unique as the person embarking upon it. There are literally thousands of choices and options available, both amazing opportunities and some that should be avoided. Gap Year travel is big business and there is a massive amount of information to wade through. A Gap Year should be personally tailored to your passions, your purpose, your goals and your budget.

Instead of a typical gap year, let’s look at an example of a great gap year. It’s not typical…it’s personal!

Jack graduated from high school in Durango, CO in 2017 with good (not great) grades and a full semester of concurrent enrollment in a local college under his belt. This means that as a high school graduate he was also half way finished with his freshman year of college core classes. This is available through many high schools and is financially a very good choice, as most concurrent classes are free or have a very nominal fee. The college credits, however, are exactly the same.

Jack wanted a break from the classroom. After 12 years of desk learning he wanted something different. He had a taste for travel and wanted to push himself outside of his comfort zone. Shortly after graduation, a fit and healthy 18 years old, he jumped right into his gap year. By nature a bit anxious, it was daunting but exciting to think about.

He had been invited to visit a musician friend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he said yes. Getting on the plane alone was stressful, but once it was done it was accomplished. (He was packed for 9 months of travel!) All connections went mostly smoothly. His friend lived with his grandmother, a spry, outspoken, and vibrant woman in a high rise building on the lake. All brand new and exciting for him. Jack loved Milwaukee, seeing his friend, and enjoyed the friend’s grandmother. While there, they saw the sights, ate lots of great food, met new friends, and filmed and produced a music video. For a Colorado kid, Milwaukee proved to be dynamic, interesting and diverse. After a few weeks, he made his way to the airport and on to his next adventure.

Welcome to Kroka Expeditions

Two flights and a shuttle later, Jack found himself in Marlow, New Hampshire at Kroka Expediti ons. Kroka is a farm based non-profit wilderness expedition school with a beautiful mission that shines through in every aspect of programming that they offer. They believe that consciousness and altruistic will can be fostered through a living relationship with the natural world and by finding our best fit within community. They invented the word ‘authentic’ and every aspect of their programming is intentional and impactful. He spent four days on the farm preparing for what would prove to be a very tough and life changing experience. They gathered provisions, packed and did their fair share of farm chores while camping in hobbit like berms and doing all of their own cooking and cleaning. The day arrived to depart the farm. Jack, along with four others, paddled and sailed (mostly paddled) a hand built umiak from Lake Champlain to the Richelieu River to the St. Lawrence River to Quebec, over 400 kilometers. They were completely self sufficient and practiced extreme LNT (leave no trace) principals. They rowed from sun up to sundown. It rained for much of the trip. Jack slept in a wet sleeping bag on soaking ground. They cooked in a cast iron pot with wet wood. He said that when a carrot with mustard looks good you know things are rough. He was always hungry because they burned so many calories. He was unintentionally getting into the best shape of his life.

They reckoned with tides and locks that would leave them carrying their very heavy boat through thick mud. He had very little in common with his boat mates. Jack wanted to quit. He was sunburned, sore, hungry, exhausted, and always uncomfortable. He began to think of the whole trip as punishment. It was ‘mentally crushing’. His words. He thought about taking off, literally walking away, but something stopped him. He knew that if he did, they wouldn’t make it. That physically, they needed him.

He kept on. They met interesting people as they camped in parks or fields along the river. People would cheer them on from the banks in their strange boat, rowing upstream. Once they made it to Canada, the cultural shift proved fascinating. Strangers welcomed this rag tag group of smelly kids into their home (and showers) and let them camp on their green lawn. A veritable luxury. They brought them sodas! Unbelievable! Jack spent an evening in a row boat with a very old and kind Canadian man who spoke no English (and Jack knows no French). They rowed to a neighboring island and filled the boat with firewood for cooking and warmth, never exchanging a word, only appreciation. His bond with his boat mates began to blossom based on shared experience.

They finally arrived in Quebec and rowed alongside several tall ships arriving for a tall ship regatta. (This is foreshadowing!) They docked in the heart of the city and then realized that they would have to carry their boat to its storage berth. Through the city. On highways, up and down hills, for several miles. A construction crew, seeing them, left their jobs to help carry the boat through busy traffic. Horns honked and people just pulled over and watched. It was awkward and difficult, which was now par for the course.

But Quebec was beautiful! Jack adored it! He met some Swedish girls in the hostel and again considered running away, but didn’t. He was all in. After a few days in Quebec, they made their way back to Kroka where farm chores replaced rowing and they helped prepare the farm for the winter months ahead…chopping and stacking firewood, harvesting the gardens, cleaning the chicken coops and mucking the stalls. The food improved because Kroka food is amazing – farm raised, fresh and hearty. The adventure was coming to an end. What once felt odd and difficult, now felt cozy and familiar. Fancy that.

Jack confirms that his Kroka experience was transformative. It changed him. Made him tougher. Made him better. An anxious nature took a back seat to sweat and adventure. He will still assert that parts of it were utterly miserable, but clearly sees that those were the days that made it special. He says that the world would be a much better place if a Kroka experience were mandatory. He had an inkling that this experience and his new level of fitness and endurance, would help him in the coming months. Boy, was he right.

Jack’s time at Kroka came to an end and he made his way to nearby Boston to recharge, do TONS of laundry, see the city, and gain back lost weight in preparation for the next leg of his gap trip. His mom met him and they visited museums, researched the best ethnic foods in the city and then ate it, went to the movies, figured out the metro system, went to Walden Pond, swam, walked, and relaxed for a week. Jack checked his gear, and in particular his foul weather gear. He’d worn it for weeks on the river. Sweat in it, slept in it, and worked in it. It was nasty, and only at the very beginning of its useful life. (Now would be a good time to shout out to Patagonia! Thanks! Your gear is bomb proof.)

Trans-Atlantic Voyage via Tall Ship, the Alexander Von Humboldt

It needed to be ship shape, so to speak, because after a week of re-grouping Jack was headed north to Halifax, Nova Scotia to board the Alexander von Humboldt, a German Tall Ship, for a trans-Atlantic crossing to Portsmouth, England in the final leg of 2017 Rendevouz Tall Ship Regatta. His rain gear was just beginning its official tour of duty! As was Jack, our shy and anxious 18 year old, although not so much anymore….

Jack hopped on the plane in Boston, which now seemed ridiculously easy, and flew to Halifax. He caught a bus at the airport in Halifax and got off at the stop nearest his youth hostel. He checked in, put his stuff away, and made new friends within minutes. They walked to the harbor to see if the tall ships had arrived and many had. Halifax was hosting a huge tall ships festival and the town was buzzing with energy. It was a fun few days of festivities, bands, and tall ship tours as all the ships arrived at the final starting line. Jack was nervous about the trans-Atlantic crossing, which is perfectly normal. A seasoned sailor will tell you that an ocean crossing is physically difficult and emotionally taxing. Throw in hurricane season and things get really exciting!

The day came to board and with great fanfare the race began. Jack found out that he was the only American on the ship. With a crew of over 100 people this was a bit unusual. The official language on board was/is German. Hhhhmmm. Jack would become the ship scribe because the language of transcription when they connected to satellite every 24 hrs was English. This meant that loved ones all over the world were hanging on his every word. He shared the ship’s log, coordinates, conditions, the weather report, general moral of the crew, maritime shipping channel updates, and marine wildlife sitings and encounters. He also worked the 4am to 8am shift and the 4pm to 8pm shift. Bearing in mind that this journey was actually a race AND the final leg of a race, AND it was a German boat, things weren’t exactly low key for an anxious 18 year old.

Tall ships are big. The Alex, a 213 ft. three masted steel barque with 24 sails is the largest in its class. It’s distinguished by its green sails and is breathtaking to see, absolutely unique.

The journey was not without challenges. They hit the doldrums early on. Zero wind. The sea as calm as glass. After almost a week of no movement, the race was called and all ships were allowed to travel by motor to a new designated starting line. Somewhere south of Iceland, 38 tall ships convened in the open sea to begin the race again. I bet it was beautiful. Jack said it’s hard to imagine how beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the stars at night or the pods of whales that would accompany them for days or the porpoises that would literally play with the ship. Or the ocean taking its deep breath, never ending, through the porthole window. But not quite as beautiful as Hardy, Margaret, Timo, Christoph, Lawrence, and the host of friends he would make from all over the world. All different ages and different walks of life, but all certified partners in adventure, risk-taking and boldness.

Rigging a tall ship is no small thing. The masts are over a hundred feet tall. It’s precise work and conditions can be bad, cold, wet, dark. The instructions were issued in shouted German. Jack can now rig a tall ship in German in foul weather. It might not seem like a useful skill, but you’d be surprised at how interviewers respond to this notation on his resume. Of course, it speaks to much, much more. Jack is not your usual job candidate. He’s proven grit, resourcefulness, and determined fortitude. He works well with others under extreme circumstances. He’s a problem solver and an excellent communicator. He’s the guy who gets it done. In whatever language. In whatever weather. Thank you Gap Year.

The Alex did not win the race, but no one cared too much… they made it. Across the Atlantic. 48 days later they arrived in Portsmouth, England with a ship full of hungry (apparently running out of food on boats is not uncommon) and excited sailors. They docked and found the nearest pub and ate their fill of fish and chips and called home and celebrated. Jack was exuberant. Who wouldn’t be. They spent several days in England and then set off on the final leg of their journey to participate in the 500th (!) Anniversary of the Harbor in Le Havre, France. Perhaps the largest Maritime celebration of the century, fifty tall ships gathered for the occasion, which in France, is no small thing. The crew of the tall ships were treated like royalty. Screaming crowds greeted the ships as they entered the harbor, one by one through the locks. Docked, hull to hull, it was an impressive sight. The boats were available for touring.

The Morgenster, Tall Ship #2

To a boat, they are gorgeous. Most are owned by trusts and are impeccably maintained…gleaming brass and polished wood, tidy bunks and miles of rope and sail. The Sultan of Oman and his ship, the Shabab Oman were there – bedazzled and truly decked out with lavish oil paintings and ornate rugs. After four days of festivities, boat parades, elaborate seafood feasts accompanied by the regions best wines and hard ciders, music, and fireworks it came to an end. Sort of.

Jack’s younger brother joined him and they hopped on another tall ship, a Dutch barque, the Morgenster and set sail once again. This time, a relatively short voyage to return the ship to its winter home in Den Helder, Netherlands via the North Sea and the West Frisian Islands where they stopped to visit the local sheep. (they’re special…google it!)

While this trip was only 10 days, Jack said he learned more aboard the Morgenster than the Alex. He was allowed to do more. The crew was a third the size. They were both taught, then trusted to carry on and work through the details. The Germans had been so rigid that there was no room for a learning curve. The captains of the Morgenster were relaxed, kind and encouraging. And, drum roll please, the chef aboard the Morgenster was amazing. “Best food ever” was the report from the brothers.

Note: Not all tall ships are alike. Some are better than others and they have different training objectives. And some should be avoided. Which is why a Gap Year advisor is a good thing.

They docked in Den Helder and spent a few nights helping to ready the ship for the winter (another odd skill to add to the list) and then had a reunion with family members who had come to welcome them ‘home’ from their voyage.

Click here for Jack’s Gap Year Part 2

We would love to meet you and help you plan your gap! Jump over here and take the survey and then we can schedule a FREE consultation. Gap Year travel is our passion! We offer counseling/consulting , portfolio/resume programs , and super affordable gap year training trips .

The post A Typical Gap Year: Part 1 appeared first on Gap year base camp .

Top 10 Reasons to Take a Gap Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 16:49:00 GMT

(Excerpts from Huffington Post)

The Top 10 Reasons for Taking A Gap Year

With the recent news that Malia Obama will take a gap year before her freshman year at Harvard, the world will surely watch with anticipation to learn how she will spend the 365 days between high school and college.

While it’s less common in the U.S., taking a gap year is considered the norm in countries all over the world, including the United Kingdom and Australia. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. not only accept applicants who choose to take gap years, but also actively encourage enrolled students to study abroad during their college tenures. According to study abroad organization CIEE, Harvard College has seen a 33 percent increase in the number of their incoming students taking gap years.

That might be due, in part, to the school’s acceptance letters. According to U.S. News & World Report, acceptance letters from Harvard even suggest that students might want to take time off before they enroll.

Taking a gap year between high school and college can be tremendously beneficial to one’s personal growth, whether you decides on enrolling in a structured gap year program, spend time volunteering abroad or simply traveling the world. Regardless, taking a gap year means that you’re living life to the fullest. Here are 10 reasons why.

1. You’ll perform better in college.
Students might worry that college admissions officials or professors will look down on them for taking a gap year. This isn’t true: many schools report that gap year students have higher GPAs and are more involved on campus, so their attitudes toward gap years are positive and encouraging.

2. You’ll realize what you love before you start studying.
More often than not, college students commit themselves to one area of study, realize it’s not for them, and then swap to a completely different major… often two or three times . You’ll cut down on coursework, tuition bills and stress if you take time before college to decide how you want to spend your academic experience before you get there.

3. You’ll get to adventure at your prime.
When else are you going to be 18 years old with no job, no mortgage payments, no significant other, no kids, no homework and no worries? Never. The answer is never.

4. You’ll know what’s important in life before most people do.
College is ridiculously fun, but it’s easy to get so caught up that you begin to believe your fraternity or friend group is the absolute center of the universe. As such, any small crisis might seem like the end of the world. However, if you’ve traveled the wider world in all its complexity and glory, you’ll understand there are bigger issues for humanity than a failed date night or lost game of beer pong.

5. You’ll be an expert at adapting to new places.
On a gap year, you’ll be forced to integrate into a new society, a new group of friends, and maybe even new languages or cultural norms. College requires similar adaptation skills, and you’ll be much more ready to handle it if you’ve already shifted societies once before.

6. You’ll have something to talk about.
Skip the same old “where are you from?” and “what’s your major?” chitchat, and nail the “what’d you do this summer?” question with stories from your gap year. You’ll have first-hand opinions to share about people, places and ideas that your peers might have never even heard of.

7. You’ll have a shinier resume.
Oftentimes, a gap year involves staying in one spot and soaking up its culture, part of which means getting a job. No matter where you work — a sandwich stand in India or the embassy in London — you’ll have valuable (international!) experience for your resume and can explain your ability to do business with customers from different cultures. If you travel on the cheap, you might even have some earnings left to use on college tuition. A Gap Year Portfolio will show future employers and schools that you have real world experience, problem solving skills and maturity.

8. You’ll pick up the pieces you missed in high school.
Slept through every Spanish class? Head to Argentina for your gap year, where you’ll be forced to speak the language every day. Wish you knew more history? Spend time touring government buildings in Europe. Your math skills will have real world application when applied to budgeting, converting money and calculating travel plans. A gap year is your time to refine the specific skills you feel like you’re lacking and sharpen them up for college.

9. You’ll have time to think.
Life feels like it’s unfolding fast right now, and in college, things only move faster. Give yourself room to think and breathe and be on long train rides from country to country or in days spent strolling through new towns. You’ll be surprised where your mind wanders when you give it free rein.

10. You’ll make new friends.
How cool would it be to go through life knowing you have a best friend in Italy or a pen pal in New Zealand? Their unique perspectives on life will hugely enrich yours as you compare all the major events that happen in your 20s and beyond. Plus, you’ll have crazy awesome places to visit during college breaks.

Gap Year Base Camp is here to help you find a reputable program that will fit your hopes, goals, and budget. Whether you choose our personal Consulting Services, our DIY Gap Year Program, or to utilize our Portfolio Program let us help you plan the most meaningful year of your life.

We would love to meet you and help you plan your gap! Jump over here and take the survey and then we can schedule a free consultation. Gap Year travel is our passion! We offer counseling/consulting , portfolio/resume programs , and super affordable gap year training trips .

The post Top 10 Reasons to Take a Gap Year appeared first on Gap year base camp .

Your Education Starts with a Gap Year

Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:07:00 GMT

This post is for parents! With three children, we’ve experienced the benefits of a Gap Year first hand. We know that it enhances an education exponentially! We’ve also taken two family gap travel trips. Read on…

Gap Year Base Camp is a one stop shop for all of your Gap Year needs. We hope to offer guidance and support, but most of all, we hope to inspire. We are firm believers that a gap experience is a fundamental part of a complete education. In other words, a college experience without a gap year is going to be lacking. A vital component will be missing and the full experience will fall short, often the most formative part. Other countries embrace a gap year as the first step towards college. The US, because colleges have become enormous money making marketing machines, is slow to follow, but is waking up! Hooray!

A Gap Experience can shape a college outcome, adding value and most importantly adding clarity and direction. Expectations of a college freshman (or sophomore or junior, for that matter) are unreasonable. We expect them to have a firm grip on their life direction, to declare their future and then to spend enormous sums of money to move towards it, when they have yet to experience life outside of a small boundary.

Let Gap Year Base Camp share with you how a Gap Experience will not only make college more cost effective, but will infuse the experience with deeper meaning, purpose and dedication. Statistics show that gap year students are more focused because they are clear on their reasons for being at college and are motivated to succeed in order to apply their knowledge to their passions. They typically are more resourceful, better at advocating for themselves, and have better communication skills. Their resumes are potent, powerful and personal, with real world expertise in skills that matter in the workforce. They also are grateful for the opportunity to learn…. having been rekindled and ignited by the greatest motivator possible…real life encounters with our amazing world and the beautiful scope of all human kind. A gap experience is an education and will enhance your college education exponentially. Let us help you plan the best year of your life.

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Gap Year: What Does the Research Say?

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 00:06:00 GMT

For American high school students, applying to college sometimes feels like a full time job. Grades and transcripts, sports and extracurriculars, essays and SATs, AP classes and early admissions—the pressure can be intense. After all of that work, postponing matriculation for a year might feel a little counterintuitive.

In Europe and Commonwealth countries, however, the “ gap year ” has been a well-established tradition since at least the 1960s. The concept is simple: after twelve-plus years of constant schooling, a year away from the classroom gives young people the chance to reassess, take stock, and enjoy a different type of learning experience—be it in the form of travel, paid employment or internship, studying a foreign language, or performing service work. Recharged and with a year of real-world experience under their belts, students can then face the college workload with greater maturity and equanimity.

But however romantic it might sound to pack your bag and grab your Eurail Pass , are gap years a good idea? Let’s take a look at the research.

EXPERIENCE AND EXCELLENCE

In a 2015 national alumni survey conducted by the American Gap Association in conjunction with Temple University, students who had chosen to take a gap year were asked about their motivations for doing so: the top answers were to gain life experiences and grow personally (92%), to travel and experience other cultures (85%), and to take a break from the academic track (82%). One in two respondents also included exploring academic options and volunteering as key motivations.

As to whether their experience during the year had proved fruitful, the response was almost unanimously positive: 98% said their year had helped them develop as a person, 96% found it increased their self-confidence, and 93% agreed that it had increased their communications skills. Robust majorities also reported that their gap year helped them acquire skills to be successful in their careers, develop a greater understanding of other cultures, and made them see themselves as global citizens.

Taking a gap year may also improve students’ future academic performance. According to a study of GPA results by Robert Clagett, the former Dean of Admissions at Middlebury College, gap-year students tended to outperform in college by 0.1 to 0.4 on a 4.0 scale, with the positive effects lasting over the entire four years. And as for the worry that a temporary step away from formal schooling might cause people to abandon the academic track altogether, some 90% of gap-year takers return to college within a year.

Many choose to gain admission to their college of choice first, then ask to defer. Many schools not only allow this type of deferral, but are also offering gap-year opportunities themselves : Princeton, for example, offers a tuition-free year for students who wish to do service abroad, while the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers financial assistance to select students to fund their service year.

At Florida State University, all students who apply for a gap-year deferment are automatically considered for financial assistance to fund their activities. Financial aid options are critical in order for gap years to not become the exclusive domain of those who can afford to take them.

A CREATIVE TIME-OUT

In addition to personal fulfillment and extensive skill-building, gap years could also help address a serious problem in American education: mental health. Mental health in American schools has reached crisis levels , with one-third of American college students experiencing diﬃculty in functioning due to depression, and nearly half having experienced overwhelming anxiety in the last year.

Most alarming of all, over 30% of students seeking mental-health services report having seriously considered committing suicide at some point in their lives. Students under a panoply of pressures, including studies, work, loans, and relationships, often find themselves unable to cope. Many will drop out: only 56% of American students complete their bachelor’s program within six years, the lowest rate among developed nations. In the worst cases, students turn to drugs or other addictions as a way of coping.

This is where gap years can work as a productive, creative time-out from sources of stress, helping equip students to go to college in the right frame of mind—and with greater capacity to handle emotional and academic stress.

“Gap year experiences,” write Joe O’Shea and Nina Hoe in Quartz Magazine , “have been shown to equip students to approach college from a place of increased mental stability. Research…shows that gap years promote qualities such as resilience, tenacity, and grit.” It is important, the authors conclude, that the gap-year experiences be properly designed in order to “challenge students with new roles and perspectives that accelerate their growth as thinkers and citizens.”

The research is there. But at Gap Year Base Camp we are all about the adventure and the experiences that will change your life forever. Yes, we know that it will enhance your future college experience, but we believe, from the bottom of our wild hearts, that a gap year is a stand alone experience that will serve to enlighten, ignite, and inspire you to become the absolute best ‘you’ possible. Not all classrooms have four walls.

Join us at base camp! We’d love to meet you and help you plan your gap! Jump over here and take the survey & then we can schedule a free consultation. Gap Year travel is our passion! We offer counseling/consulting , portfolio/resume programs , and super affordable gap year training trips .

The post Gap Year: What Does the Research Say? appeared first on Gap year base camp .

5 Things a Gap Year Is Not

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:16:00 GMT

Last night, at my daughter’s 8th grade graduation, I sat with a table full of parents chatting. I was sharing about Gap Year Base Camp and most parents love the idea and want more information. They get it. However. One dad chimed in and offered up “a gap year is not so great when your kid is in the basement playing fortnight the whole time”.

I love this because it lends clarity and insight into my work as a Gap Year Advisor/Counselor/Consultant.

I shared that a Gap Year is NOT a “Year Off” and that spending a year in a basement playing video games wouldn’t fall into any definition of a Gap Year. He nodded with disbelief and I’ve been pondering ever since! (As I have been for years, actually)

There are many reasons that parents are dubious about a gap year, and it mostly comes down to fear. And all these fears are normal, BTW. Here’s a short little list to help those parents! Rather than delving into all the many gifts a gap year bestows on a developing human, let’s kick some of the myths to the curb to help those doubting dads out a little!

5 Things a Gap Year is Not

Let’s elaborate a bit.

A gap year is structured and comprehensive. A good Gap Year counselor can help you dive deep into personal and educational growth. You will probably learn more during a well planned gap year than you will in years of college, but it will be hands on, deeply personal and hard won.

Let’s Party! I’ve never partied more in my life than I did in college. Might you party on your Gap Year? Let’s hope so, but you’d be hard pressed to trump college partying and your transcript isn’t on the line. Americans would do well to learn the restraint and discipline offered in other countries (hello Italy and France) where drinking is not taboo till we leave home, and then all caution is thrown to the wind. Moderation in all things is a good rule to live by, at home, in college, or on a gap year.

A Gap Year is an ASSET to your resume and to your college transcript or application. A well documented gap year will show a host of skills that employers and schools are looking for!

Research shows that a Gap Year creates students who are motivated and focused. They have real world experience that has infused them with purpose and passion! Read the studies! Harvard loves their gap year students!

So who is a gap year for?

A Gap Year is for ALL STUDENTS, PEOPLE, FAMILIES who want to become knowledgeable, inquiring, and reflective citizens. Who know that learning takes many forms and are willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zone in order to be empathetic ambassadors committed to a lifetime of personal, local, and global enrichment in our integrated world. Is that you?

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Oh, the Places You’ll Go: The Benefits of Taking a Gap Year Before College

Sun, 05 Feb 2017 17:50:00 GMT

The post Oh, the Places You’ll Go: The Benefits of Taking a Gap Year Off Before College appeared first on Gap year base camp .

5 Advantages of a Gap Year

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:06:00 GMT

According to Business Insider magazine , there are many advantages of gap years. Taking a gap year is very beneficial for one’s social, academic and personal growth. Some students enroll in structured gap year programs or they spend their time traveling or volunteering abroad. Regardless of the reason, taking a gap year will result in the five benefits below.

1. Accelerated Maturity

One of the biggest advantages of gap years is that students will be more mature when they begin college. Most gap year participants will know how to be a good student, but they will lack quality life experiences. Gap years provide students with opportunities to interact with others, take on more responsibilities and become more independent. Whether the student is living in a different country or working in a different state, they must take care of themselves as an adult for the first time. After gap year students begin college, they will be better prepared to deal with the challenges of college.

2. Improved Academic Performance

Another one of the college gap year advantages is that students will academically perform better compared with non-gap year students. However, many students worry that college admission boards and professors look down on gap years. This isn’t true because a gap year demonstrates confidence, accountability and a drive for success. Gap year students tend to have higher GPAs and become more involved on campus because they are more mature and ambitious. Students who take a gap year are much more likely to return to college within one year because their new experiences help them to identify academic programs that fit their personalities and career goals.

3. Gain a New Perspective

Another one of the advantages of gap years is that students are challenged to leave their comfort zone. Students are usually engaged in something entirely new in a totally different environment. Living and working in an unfamiliar climate and learning a new language will broaden the student’s horizons. Spending a whole year doing something special will help the student gain new perspective on life, academics and relationships. For instance, a history class will be so much more meaningful if the student has actually lived in the country and visited the museums and places of interest. Gap year students will experience an enhanced understanding of global issues, cultural diversity and abstract ideas.

4. A Chance to Re-focus

One of the advantages of gap years for current college students is that they will have the opportunity to regroup and refocus. College can be a stressful time for students, especially for those who are participating in a program that doesn’t meet their needs or interests. Many students feel worn out between dealing with university academics, maintaining personal commitments, managing financial aid debt and trying to have fun all at the same time. Temporarily changing course and doing something totally new will provide a much-needed psychological break. Students can take a step back from what they are doing and deeply think about where they really want to go in life.

5. Improve Career Opportunities

Gap year students who return to college invigorated about life will experience new motivation and confidence to make the most of their college experience. Gap year travel, which includes new cultural and language knowledge, will make a big difference to future employment prospects. In order to meet the needs of diverse customers, most employers seek bilingual and bi-cultural job candidates. Those who volunteer abroad will stand out from the crowd because they will have unique skills and commitment.

All of the advantages of gap years result in students receiving a head start in life that will make all the difference in the end.

Join us at base camp. We’d love to meet you & help you plan your gap! Jump over here and take the survey and then we can schedule a free consultation. Gap Year travel is our passion! We offer counseling/consulting , portfolio/resume programs , and super affordable gap year training trips .

The post 5 Advantages of a Gap Year appeared first on Gap year base camp .

The Gap Year Experience: A Life-Changing Opportunity

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:07:00 GMT

Excited about college but not quite ready to start? Or are you ready for deep learning that doesn’t include four walls and a desk? Each year, students across America are choosing to postpone their traditional academic plans and participate in a gap year experience. This is a standard practice in European countries, for so many reasons, and the US is catching on!

What is a Gap Year?

A gap year is a year spent taking time off between life stages. An increasingly popular option, it provides time for traveling, volunteering, learning a new language, or experiencing any number of other activities for personal growth. Typically, students take a gap year after graduating from high school and before attending college.

Why Take a Gap Year?

While there are many compelling reasons to take a gap year, one of the most common is the opportunity for students to explore their interests and develop a purpose for their future. Students can take a break from intense coursework and focus on enriching life experiences.

Whether they spend the year traveling, volunteering, working, or all three, students who have completed a gap year are often revitalized for their return to the academic world the following year. According to David Hawkins, director of public policy and research at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, taking a gap year …could actually help students succeed in college, since participants may be more focused, mature, and motivated for their undergraduate experience.

Many students also find that their gap year allows them to help others. For students choosing to spend the year volunteering abroad, some of the benefits include:

Gap Year Options

There are no rules when it comes to taking a gap year, so the possibilities are truly endless. Luckily, there are organizations that specialize in helping students organize their adventures. For example, some companies assist with everything from finding a host family, to setting up the volunteer project, to taking care of meals and travel insurance.

Areas of focus students may choose from for their gap year activities include:

Things to Consider

As exciting as a year off before college may sound, there are several important issues to consider before embarking on a gap year.

Featured Program:

Gap Year Base Camp is here to help. There are thousands of companies offering Gap Year travel experiences, whether it’s volunteering, educational, cultural, or a guided gap year. Begin to google and it’s quickly overwhelming and can be very expensive. Gap Year Travel is big business and not all companies are reputable. At GYBC we can streamline your choices according to your desires and tailor a program that is PERFECT for you, your educational track, your passions, and your aptitudes. AND with groups and organizations that we know to be doing amazing work. We can work within any budget and offer scholarships and a sliding scales to those who need it, because we think EVERYONE benefits from a gap year experience! To read about a very unique Gap Year go here . It illustrates how powerful the experience can be. Get excited! You could be next.

This article is excerpted from the Princeton Review.

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