Self Exploration
The GAP Year at SOAR is designed for young adults that have graduated from High School or obtained their GED. We strive to empower our participants through travel, college classes, and volunteering. They discover their talents, increase their self-reliance, and experience life-changing adventures while preparing for their future.
Grow with us
The GAP Year encourages participants to pursue new and existing interests and strengths, develop social skills via communal living, increase life skills through expedition planning and exploring the Western USA, and practice independent living in a small group setting. Participants alternate between residential campus phases and expeditions.
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
