Live the Good Life
An action packed gap year program for adventure seeking folks. Experience new cultures. Find your people. Dive into yourself.
- Who
15-18 participants ages 17-22 - Where
Colorado wilderness, Mexico, Guatemala, and options to travel to Australia, Thailand, Spain and more. - When
Sept 1, 2021 to April 27, 2022 - Cost
$9,850-Includes travel to and from Guatemala from Phoenix. Does not include optional winter travel.
THE HIGH DESERT CENTER GAP YEAR PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF THREE PHASES:
Fall – The Simply Living Semester
September 1 – November 10
The first semester of our gap year program is about wilderness challenge and life experience in rural Colorado. Together we will practice the skills of self-sufficiency and community living. We will explore what makes us feel alive and how we adapt to challenges. We spend a lot of time outdoors: backpacking, camping, hiking and watching sunsets. Canyons, mountaintops and swimming holes on the river will be our playground. When we aren’t out in the wilderness, we’ll explore at home: canning peaches, making bread, meeting people, making music and enjoying the simple life. (This program can also be joined as a stand-alone gap semester.) Fall – The Simply Living Semester details
The Winternship
November 11-February 10
We support you in designing and executing your dream-learning-adventure. The options are endless. You can arrange independent apprenticeships, travel, or find meaningful work. We have partners abroad in places like Thailand, Spain and Australia where you can dive into a new culture and learning. We provide weekly support on the phone during this phase of the year. Learn more about The Winternship
Spring – The Wanderlust Semester
February 11-April 27
The final phase of our gap year program gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in Guatemala’s rich culture. You will create your own adventure this semester, choosing how to spend your time. You can study the language and the history, volunteer with a reforestation project, or explore volcanoes, jungles, and beaches. As you explore, complex global issues that influence daily life in Guatemala will come into focus. Together, we will travel over land, on public transit, through the entirety of Mexico rather than flying. This gives you a more real experience and spews less carbon. Spring – The Wanderlust Semester details