Self Exploration
GAP Year at SOAR is designed for 18-24 year olds with ADHD/LD that have graduated from High School or obtained their GED. Our Gap Year is a year-long program with two location options, Wyoming or North Carolina. Throughout the program, we strive to empower our participants through travel, college classes, and volunteering.
Grow with us
We encourage participants to pursue new and existing interests and strengths, develop social skills via communal living, increase life skills through expedition planning for cross-country and international travel, and practice independent living in a small group setting. During the program, participants alternate between residential campus phases and expeditions which last about two weeks each.
GAP West
College Credit
Participants attending GAP West have the opportunity to receive college credit hours from Central Wyoming College.
Location
GAP West is located just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This program opperates mainly in the Western region of the United States surrounded by big mountains and a snowy atomosphere.
Accommodations
Life on the ranch provides a community for Gappers to learn and grow in. While on base participants will stay in dorm style housing with one or more roommates.
Experience
While out west participants will get to experience six expeditions, including one international trip. GAP West is a year round program opperating from Septemember to May.
GAP East
College Credit
Participants attending GAP East have the opportunity to receive college credit hours from Southwestern Community College.
Location
GAP East is located just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. This program opperates mainly on East Coast of the United States. While Gappers will still have mountainous views, there is less snow than Wyoming and the program is not as remote.
Accommodations
Life in the mountains provides a community for Gappers to learn and grow in. While on base participants will stay in group style housing similar to a bunkhouse with multiple roommates.
Experience
GAP East takes adventure and expedition to a new level. Participants will have the opportunity to earn additional certifications such as Lifeguard, WFA, CPR, and SCUBA. This GAP Year program can be semester based or year long.
SOAR GAP Info
Our Participants
The GAP Year at SOAR serves young adults, we call Gappers, with ADHD and other learning disabilities (LDs) that include but are not limited to Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Executive Functioning challenges. This program was created to meet the needs of those who have graduated from high school but are not quite ready to step into a university or work-force setting.
Gateway Adventure Programs
“A gap year is about what happens after school, how you make decisions, how you figure out who you are, where you want to go, and how you need to get there. It’s about the skill set you need to live your life.” – Gail Reardon of Taking Off, US News
Gateway Adventure Programs (GAP Years) are gaining popularity for young adults to find out who they are, what they would like to do next, and make plans for the future. The GAP Year at SOAR provides this opportunity for young adults with ADHD/LDs that may need a more hands on approach as they navigate adulthood. Our combination of adventure and life skills development provides the opportunity for gappers to develop and experience independent living, community involvement, high adventures activities, expedition planning, college coursework, international travel, and volunteer opportunities.
Life Skills
While attending the GAP Year at SOAR, emphasis is placed on developing the life skills needed to experience success as an independent adult. We understand the social and executive functioning challenges that many of our gappers face and work with them during all aspects of our program to better understand the challenges and how to overcome them. From learning to prepare healthy meals, to budgeting, to keeping personal spaces clean and organized, to learning to develop positive relationships, gappers are able to learn and grow through real life experiences. While on residential phase and on adventure expeditions, participants are surrounded with support from their mentors while also learning to be independent adults.
” A gap year is about what happens after school, how you make decisions, how you figure out who you are, where you want to go, and how you need to get there. It’s about the skill set you need to live your life.”
– Gail Reardon of Taking Off, US News
Quick Facts
