WHY I RECOMMEND THE JOURNEY GAP YEAR
Jesus modeled a method of discipleship that included extensive time with his disciples and a pattern of retreat into the wilderness. The Journey Gap Year effectively follows this model of discipleship through adventure in their 8 month program. Christian leaders rise up from this program to replicate more leaders who disciple and sharing with love of God with others.
JOURNEY’S MISSION
BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW JOURNEY GOT STARTED AND WHY IT EXISTS
Journey is an 8-month gap year internship designed to help young adults discover identity, find purpose, and gain foundational skills in both service and outdoor adventure. It is a program of Camp Bighorn a Christian adventure camp located in western Montana along the Clark Fork River. Bighorn started in 1985 as a place for Christ followers of all ages to enter the wilderness, encounter the creator and be equipped as leaders to impact their churches and communities.
Participants receive one-on-one discipleship, face challenges in the wilderness, and travel to experience new cultures and broaden their worldview. This community practices radical hospitality, loves audaciously, includes outsiders, trusts God’s story, and partners with Him to put the world back together. Significant time is devoted to personal and spiritual growth, and participants will finish with deep friendships, a sense of identity, and proven leadership skills.
DURATION OF TRIPS
Within the 8 month program there are trips lasting between 3 and 21 days.
EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING ELEMENTS INCLUDED ON TRIPS
- Daily devotion or quiet times
- Solo experience (either a few hours or day-long solos)
- Teachable moments or trail talks along the journey
- Having participants share their testimony or life-story
- Peak climbs
- Backpacking
- Practicing and Teaching Leave No Trace Ethics
- Rock climbing
- Rapelling/Abseiling
- Rafting
- Sea Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Backpacking
- Practicing and Teaching Leave No Trace Ethics
- Winter skills including; camping, skiing, snowshoeing, shelter building and survival
WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL WILDERNESS TRIP?
Life change is the goal of wilderness and adventure trips.The discovery of a personal, spiritual or leadership truth that alters they way an individual engages life in the present and the future is the mark of a successful adventure.
HOW JOURNEY POINTS PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND HELPS THEM GROW IN THEIR FAITH
Jesus lived and walked in community with his disciples and followers, demonstrating the Father’s heart of love and redemption. In a similar way, Journey seeks to create community where the heart of God is lived out in everyday life.
COST
The 8 month program minimum cost is $9400.
WEBSITE
PROMO VIDEO
TESTIMONIAL
It’s in the small moments where the true impact of the Journey program is seen, heard, and felt because that is how Journey works. It’s how it changes lives – in the daily acts of life, adventure, and devotion together. – Joyce A.
