Quite simply, there is no other gap year programme available that offers as comprehensive an experience. The skills you will learn are broad adult skills that will help set you up for your entire adult life. From personal budgeting to how to hang a picture. You will come out with many certifications that will give you a significant advantage when you want to enter the workplace. You will also be exposed to many avenues for career opportunities and entrepreneurial options that you aren’t even aware exist. In short, our programme is not just you taking a year off, but a year that will ensure you take off.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who have completed school, from all walks of life and corners of the globe are welcome to apply. We limit our intake and as such you will be put through an application and interview process.

If you are accepted, we work on a first pay first served basis. As part of the application form, you will be required to complete a confidential questionnaire. Understanding the objectives of the program is important as a panel of facilitators will be evaluating your answers to determine if you are open and committed to yourself for personal growth, positive change and future preparedness. The calibre of young adult our programme churns out is high, and we want to ensure your success from the beginning by assessing your suitability and commitment from day one. 

As with any gap year programme, there are always hidden costs to factor in. We have compiled a personal expenses list and this will be forwarded upon application and can be requested via email. One can do this course with almost no extra costs, apart from a small amount of pocket money. However, there are a few instances where optional outsourced courses can be taken and these are paid for separately. In most cases, we do enjoy a substantial discount on the normal prices for these courses.

YES! We are continuously updating our content to stay current, and with all modules we include as many useful certifications as possible. At the end of your time with us, we will issue you with a folder of accumulated certificates, as well as a final certification of completion. 

During programmes and activities, cell phones will be off or stored in your room. Other means of communication are via email and postal services. Should friends and family wish to contact you urgently, they can either email or phone any one of the leadership team, who will in turn ensure that you are able to take a call or receive (spelling error) an email. If you are in the bush, there may be limited reception but you will also be given the opportunity to “catch up” when back in Base Camp in-between activities. We will also publish a blog that your access-granted family and friends will be allowed to follow – you will each take turns to post blogs and photographs throughout the programme.

The closest town, Hoedspruit, is approximately ?? kilometres from the Base Camp. There are doctors and a private & provincial hospital. We also have a direct connection with local police, ambulance, farm, and fire association in place. Be assured that the utmost care is taken when doing extreme activities. 

Facilitators are responsible and available 24/7 to take care of the future leaders. This well-organised team lives on the premises and they arrange and manage the group’s activities each day. There are currently 6 permanent staff members and approximately 30 external facilitators, each a specialist in their area of expertise. Future Leaders do activities in a group. During free time, you are able to occupy your time with your own choice of leisure activities, reporting back for meal times. We use a Buddy System so that someone is always aware of your location. You will not be permitted to leave the premises without authorisation and arrangement through your camp leaders.

Supervising staff will always carry a cell phone and spare battery pack when out and about. There is cell phone signal almost everywhere we conduct our activities. Should we enter an area of known cell phone signal loss, our facilitators will be carrying two-way radios and will be in contact with someone who has communication with the outside world. Our facilitators are also expected to constantly monitor signal so that they are aware when the signal has dropped, as well as where last they were when they had signal. This will help speed up the search for signal in the case of an emergency. 

We travel in our own vehicles to all destinations. There is no need for you to bring your own vehicle to the Base Camp. We do not allow outside vehicles to be on our property. 

Future Leaders GYP prides itself on being an inclusive programme, and so we accept any applicant but our programme involves a lot of physical activity and so being able to get around freely would be an essential criteria. That being said, we interview each individual applicant and make an assessment at that point, as to whether we would be able to accomodate them within our program or not. A complete willingness to give the programme everything is required in order to gain optimal growth through the programme. The ability to spend a long time away from friends and family is highly recommended. Our students need to have a passion for living and a willingness to be stretched outside of comfort zones. 

We encourage you to bring up past challenges as well as current goals during your interview with us. If there are any physical, emotional, social, or mental health challenges that impede your experience or that of others (fellow students, staff, and local contacts), then we may have to consider your early return home. It is our policy to consult our own independent advisory mental health specialist for professional perspective, but the final decision to send any student home always rests with our organisation.

Should you become ill whilst on the program, we will arrange for you to see a local clinician who will advise on a way forward for your treatment. 

When students are on prescription medication, we expect them to manage this themselves. They will however be advised on safe storage and responsibility in the use thereof. Students on long-term medication must ensure availability of this drug here in South Africa, if coming from abroad, and make necessary arrangements for repeat scripts. 

While many students can benefit from our Gap Year Programme, those that are adjudicated, court-mandated, or requiring regular in-field therapy are beyond the expertise of our staff and therefore not provided for in our programme. 

Yes, you will need a Port of entry visa (Tourist Visa).  The following website link will give you the specific application process for this visa, as well as addresses of South African Missions in the United States: 

http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/tourist_permit.htm

You cannot put a price on an experience that will have a positive influence in every area of your future preparedness. Wisdom is powerful. Experiences and adventures are priceless.  

Our programme is excellent value for money. Consider the value of each activity, workshop, and course that is included. Add to that, time, fees, transport, food, equipment, accommodation, experiential value, support, coaching, certification, and exposure. And then try to put a price on being equipped with adult wisdom and skills that will set you up for the rest of your life. It is invaluable. 

Contact us directly for prices. 

Upon registration you will be issued with a list of outdoor retail agents available in South Africa