When can I apply for Denver gap year? What are the age requirements? Can International Students attend?
We are currently accepting applications for the 4 and 8 month options of September 2023 and January 2024! Currently applications will be accepted until August 21st, 2023. Please be aware that spots available are limited. You can fill out your application HERE. Those between 17-22 years old can attend Denver Gap Year. Anyone under the age of 22 can apply at any time. In regards to accepting participants that are under 18 years old we understand that some students graduate early and that others might not yet turn 18 before our program starts. If the parents, young adult and Denver Gap Year all agree they are mature enough to attend the program then we are happy to accept someone that is 17 years old.
In regards to whether international students can attend Denver Gap Year - please contact us so we can look into it on an individual basis. We can tell you that we are currently unable to sponsor you for a student visa. We also know that most people can get a 3 month travel visa into the United States and that Canadians can acquire a 6 month travel visa. For non-Canadians it could be possible to have you attend the program for 3 months instead of 4 or look into extending your visa.
What are the program dates?
Denver Gap Year runs from September through the end of April with 4 and 8 month options. There are two options for participants. Our full 8 month program that begins in September and ends in April or a shorter 4 month program that begins in either September or January. Our mission trips will be at the end of the 1st semester and 2nd semesters. Participants will have a one week break during Thanksgiving week, two weeks off for Christmas and one week off for Spring Break. For detailed information on our program dates and schedule click here.
How much does the program cost? Will i need spending money?
The cost of the program is $14,000 for the full 8 month program and 7,000 dollars for the 4 month semester option. a 500$ deposit is required upon acceptance but applies towards tuition costs. The cost of the program is tax deductible whether support raised or paid for by the participant. This will cover food, housing, classes, adventure excursions and our international trips. Bringing spending money isn’t required but is encouraged for those that want to explore Denver, supplement the food provided and use public transportation. Students are also expected to arrange and pay for transportation home or find somewhere else to stay during our scheduled breaks. Our staff also take these breaks as well which means no one will be at the house. We can help you try to find lodging in the Denver area but don’t guarantee availability.
What Are the options available to pay the tuition?
Participants can pay the tuition themselves or raise money for their tuition via tax deductible donations given in their name on the donation page of the Denver Gap Year website. Those that choose to raise money for their tuition will be connected with a Denver Gap Year staff member dedicated to giving the participant the help and resources they need to succeed. Participants can either pay in full or chose to pay in three installments set up in our payment plan.
Can I work while attending Denver Gap Year?
We don’t allow participants to work formal jobs while attending because we feel it takes away from the gap year experience. Participants schedule will already be full with classes, volunteering, adventure trips, nightly dinners and international travel.
Can I attend only one semester? What’s the difference between the two semesters? Can I change to 8 months during the fall?
Participants do have two different options for attending Denver Gap Year. Our full 8 month program that begins in September and ends in April or a shorter 4 month program with fall and spring semester options. The fall semester goes from early September to the week before Christmas and the spring semester from January to the end of April.
The first difference between the 2 semesters is price. The full 8 months costs 14,000 and the 4 month program is 7,000. The second difference is where you will travel to internationally. Participants that attend the full program will go to two different countries. These are selected from our 30+ international partners/contacts. While the Fall participants will go one country. Everything else about the program will be the same between the two semesters except of course the obvious differences such as more adventure trips, classes, community service and time in the community house for 8 month participants. It comes down to your preference, scheduling and financial needs.
Participants attending in the Fall are allowed to change to a 8 month program after choosing to attend only 4 months. The deadline to change to a 8 month program will need to be made during the Fall semester by November 1st. Finances will need to be considered and agreement to a new payment plan will also be required before another 4 months can be added.
Essentially these are your options:
1) Commit to the 4 month version of the program in September or January.
If you’re coming just for the January term this doesn’t apply to you.If you're coming in September - there's potentially an option to decide to return for the second 4 months in January after you arrive here. Typically that decision must be made by November 1st.
The advantage of this option is flexibility and the chance to see how you like the program before deciding on 8 months. The disadvantage is that available spots for the January term could get taken up by other September students who committed to the 8 months before you or students that originally applied to January term. In this scenario we would not have a spot available to you.
2) Commit to the full 8 month program upon acceptance.
The advantage of this as stated above means your spot is locked in for all 8 months and you are guaranteed a spot in the program the entire time. The disadvantage is losing some of that flexibility in waiting to decide. It is also a larger commitment financially.
We have seen students decide to do all of these different options and everyone that comes gets a lot out of the program. So deep breath - don't stress too much about your decision!
What will the weekly schedule be like?
Throughout the week participants will attend classes, volunteer for a local nonprofit, worship together and enjoy nightly dinners as a community. Day hikes, exploring Denver and adventure outings will also be a part of the schedule. Click here to see more details on the weekly and monthly schedule for a Denver Gap Year participant.
Are the International trips covered by tuition?
Yes our international trips are covered by tuition. Participants just need to cover the cost of their passport and spending money. Additional funds are sometimes raised via soliciting donations as way to enhance and further the mission of our local contacts. If desired, international travel insurance can be purchased through a preferred and trusted insurance broker of Denver Gap Year or independently by the participant.
What kind of classes will students take? And what supplies are needed?
Our required classes cover a wide range of topics picked specifically to grow participants in faith, purpose, and passion. Topics range from leadership, theology, identity, holistic living, etc. Participants will be exposed to a variety of teaching methods from our staff, industry leaders, and pastors. As far as supplies go, basic school supplies are needed. A journal, pens, and a bible are essential. Necessary books and reading material will be provided by Denver Gap Year. Laptops are recommended for in class and personal use but not required.
WHAT MAKES YOU A CHRISTIAN GAP YEAR? dO I HAVE TO BE A CHRISTIAN TO ATTEND?
We are proud to be a Christian Gap Year program. The purpose of our program is to help participants dig deeper into their God given identity and connect that to their lifelong God given purpose. Therefore a large focus of our program is about who God is, what intimacy with God looks like and how that relates to each person’s identity. Then from that base we study what God’s purpose in the world is and how that relates what Christians should be doing. You can also find out more about our Christian foundation by reading our Statement of Faith.
All that being said, identifying as a Christian is not a requirement to attend our program. We accept participants at all different parts of their journey. We do ask for participants that choose our program to maintain an open mind and curiosity in regards to the Christian faith.
How is my non-profit service set up and coordinated? What will the commitment and time requirements look like?
The volunteer partners found on our website were well researched and carefully chosen. Students will volunteer together at the same nonprofit every Friday. For example, most of the Fridays during our 2022-2023 gap year were spent at Denver Rescue Mission coordinated and chosen by different students each week. Other Fridays each student has a chance to research and coordinate a different volunteer opportunity for their classmates that they are particularly passionate about. Students will spend between 2-4 hours a week in their nonprofit commitment. We are an active and helpful partner between you and your chosen nonprofit. Also, colleges love seeing volunteering on applicants resume! Click here to learn more about why we value nonprofit service so highly.
What will the living situation be like?
Participants will live in a house that is supervised by house parents who are part of the Denver Gap Year staff. They will share rooms similar to a college experience with men and women staying in separate rooms. Opposite genders will not be allowed in each others rooms. The house will be fully furnished including furniture , appliances kitchen items, houseware and beds. Participants will be responsible for bringing bedding, towels, toiletries and personal items. Details on the exact location will be given upon acceptance into Denver Gap Year but housing will be located in urban Denver with access to shops, parks and public transportation.
Do i need to bring my vehicle? Will i have access to public transportation?
Because of limited parking and our location in a busier part of Denver participants will only be allowed to bring a vehicle if pre-approved by Denver Gap Year. Housing will be located close to public transportation and within comfortable walking (or biking) distance of a grocery store, restaurants and cafes. To find out more about Denver’s RTD extensive light rail and bus lines click here and if you want to see a map of Denver’s 184 miles of bike’s lanes click here.
What does visitation by parents, friends, and perspective students look like?
Parents will have opportunities throughout the year subject to prior coordination with staff to visit their children along with updates from Denver Gap Year staff. We also give you all the information you want and need for our international trips as well. Friends can also visit on allotted dates conditioned on prior approval. Students can also stay in touch with family and friends as much as they need as long as it’s not interfering with the program.
Will i earn college credit during the year?
Participants will not earn college credits during their time with DGY. Our program is designed to offer an opportunity for participants to discover purpose and direction within a pressure free environment. We fully support pursuing a college education and/or other career and life avenues after DGY. In an effort to create an expectation free environment, keep our costs affordable, and to allow participants an opportunity to solely focus on their spiritual development, we have decided not to link our program to any earned college credits.
Will universities defer my acceptance and what happens to any scholarships i’ve received?
We highly suggest you talk with the admission department of the university you want to attend after your gap year. Most universities are adept at accommodating gap year participants and have policies in place in regards to acceptance and scholarships. For example, Harvard has been encouraging incoming freshmen to take a gap year for over 30 years.
What is your response to concerns involving visiting an international orphanage?
At Denver Gap Year we take seriously the concerns people have about foreigners volunteering at international orphanages. Without ongoing relationship, proper training and knowledge of what the community needs people can do more harm than good. In worse situations, children at orphanages can develop a detachment disorder or volunteers can fall prey to scams run by illegal orphanage tourism companies.
Which is why our trip to Children’s Garden in the Philippines is designed differently. There will be extensive training before and after the trip that teaches our participants how to properly visit a developing country. We will go over mistakes that visitors from foreign countries make and train them on how to actually help an overseas children’s home. And throughout all of this, we will work closely with our longtime partner, Children’s Garden, to make sure our actions and visit is beneficial to them.
Click here to learn more about what we are doing to address this issue, how Children’s Garden started and why they value visiting teams so highly. Contact us if you have any questions.
Your website says you are a member of the Gap Year Association. What does that mean?
The Gap Year Association is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization for gap year education in the United States. They oversee a robust accreditation process for gap year providers and consultants.
Essentially what this means is that they are the official accrediting body for gap year programs in the United States. They ensure certain standards are met and best practices are followed. And work to promote gap year programs as a viable option for young adults.
We are proud to call ourselves a member while working towards the next step of accreditation and to be part of growing the gap year movement. Learn more about the Gap Year Association at: https://www.gapyearassociation.org/
How long has Denver Gap Year been around?
Nate Evans, the director of Denver Gap Year, has been working in the gap year field for over 10+ years. From 2016 through 2021 Nate, current staff member Kevin Odom and many others worked hard to launch Denver Gap Year. We did so in the Fall of 2021 and have been operating yearly since then. You can find a more in depth answer on the when, how and why behind our organization on our History Page.
How many students attend Denver Gap Year during a typical year?
Currently we rent one house for students and staff to live in. That house can only fit 9 people which means 7 students per 4 months and 2 staff members. (house parents) This makes for an intimate experience for those that attend the program. Because we have grown rapidly and the program usually fills up 6 months in advance we are considering adding a 2nd house and expanding to 14 students a year. For some this makes our program a perfect fit and for others they want something larger. We understand either way.
I see that you partner with many different organizations and churches. What is the nature of their role in Denver Gap Year?
We are proud to have multiple churches, nonprofits and international partners. Their relationship to Denver Gap Year is based on mutual partnership, friendship and service. None of the organizations listed have authority over Denver Gap Year or dictate the nature or substance of the program. Staff, the board of directors and volunteers all play a role in leading and guiding Denver Gap Year.
Can you tell me more about the adventure part of the program? Will I have to skydive?
The outdoor/adventure part of Denver Gap Year is an important and encouraged aspect of what we do but none of it is mandatory. We do things as simple as "car camping" or day hikes and as intense as skydiving or skiing/snowboarding. But we won't force you to do something you don't want to do. Examples of adventures in addition to above include ziplining and hiking a volcano on our international trips or exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.
What kind of things will we do in Denver? Is all of it covered in the price of the program?
There is a budget to help students explore Denver. In past years the Denver Art Museum, a Colorado Rockies game, Meow Wolf (look it up!) and a scavenger hunt were all covered. But there are also a lot of things students can do on their own free time (which is provided especially on the weekends) even if they only have a bus pass and an adventurous spirit. Save up what you can for spending money though because it gives you more options.