the pioneer project

What is a Gap Year?

According to the American Gap Association's website, a Gap Year "is a structured period of time when students take a break from formal education to increase self-awareness, learn from different cultures, and experiment with possible careers.  Typically these are achieved by a combination of traveling, volunteering, interning, or working. A gap year experience can last from two months up to two years and is taken between high school graduation and the Junior year of their higher degree."

I don’t have enough money, but really want to come! How can I fund my program?

​We first urge you to visit the American Gap Association website for its list of resources regarding ways to fund your gap year.

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Until we have forged a solid partnership with a university, you will not be able to use Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) to directly fund our program.  However, if your university will grant credit for our program, you could potentially use your FAFSA funds to at least partially subsidize your tuition with us.

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We do offer some scholarships to applicants who demonstrate financial need.  See our scholarship page for more info.
 

Your best bet is to spend some time working, saving, and fundraising for the program.  Often times, students find great support within their families and communities, especially when they really showcase their passion for taking a non-traditional path and aren’t afraid of requesting assistance.

What is your policy around cell phones, computers, and other technology?

Though students can bring their cell phones, no other technology is allowed during the program.  The Pioneer Project is intentional about this policy because we believe students should have the opportunity to try to live without "screen time" on a daily basis.  When these devices are unavailable groups spend more quality time together, sleep better, and find more productive uses of their time.  

However, a land line will always be available for student use to call home and keep in touch and a computer can be made available for student use if absolutely necessary.

Is it safe?

We take our students’ health and safety very seriously and attempt to avoid risk of harm in every activity.  Our experienced instructors have taught many students and do their best to mitigate the risks inherent to their respective crafts.  Moreover, students will have 24-hour access to an instructor with Wilderness First Aid certification at a minimum and medical facilities are also within 20 minutes of the homestead.

What if I'm interested in one particular component of the program? Can I focus on that?

Our program is intended to introduce you to a variety of different topics.  If you just want to do one thing you see on our list of activities, we encourage you to open yourself to experiencing the others, or find another, more focused program to meet your needs.  However, there will be some opportunity to work with area crafters to focus on a particular interest, though time to do so will be limited to about once a week and will be dependent on other program activities.

Is this a therapeutic program?

No. We are not licensed, certified, or intending to run a therapeutic program. That being said, this is a place for students to make positive changes in their lives with the support of a community and mentors.  However, we are not prepared to manage students who are in need of deeper, professional support for addictions, depression, anger management, violence, active eating disorders, personality disorders, or other mental health concerns.  If you are unsure about whether we can support you (if a student) or your child (if a parent) due to a history of mental health concerns, please contact us to begin a dialogue.

What if my parents don’t think a Gap Year is a good idea?

It is understandable that many parents are apprehensive about the idea of a Gap Year.  It’s scary to think of their child not going to college.  Nevertheless, few parents recognize that there are high quality, structured, programs that students can choose from for their year off and are nervous about the logistics and mystery of the Gap Year.  However, anecdotes abound of students who have developed substantial direction and passion for their lives through this option.  In addition to an abundance of anecdotal evidence, data has also been compiled as more students opt for Gap Years, and current research is endorsing this option as a pathway to success for many students.  See the American Gap Association​​​​​​'s website for many of these statistics.  In fact, the research is so overwhelmingly favorable that many of the country’s top colleges, including Princeton and Harvard are leading advocates of this option for their freshmen because of the remarkable outcomes students demonstrate.

Who comes?

You, if you want. And others who share the same interest in this program.  We welcome students from all over the world.  They come from urban and rural areas, and various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Essentially, whoever is passionate about our mission is welcome here regardless of gender, region, nationality, political leanings, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.  We believe that, as in all biological systems, diversity leads to strength and resilience, so we strive to foster an open environment that creates a safe space for anyone who comes here.

Can I bring a car?

You are welcome to bring a car to the project.  However, please contact us to ask if we have parking space.  It is somewhat limited here and if every student brought a car, it would quickly become an overwhelmed driveway.

What else should I bring?

Your true self!  As for material things – pack light.  You will have all you need and more available to you here, but will need to bring your own outdoor equipment, clothing, and some other supplies.  Once you have been accepted to the program, we will send you a comprehensive packing list to ease your packing anxiety.

What kind of outcomes can I expect to walk away with?

• A clearer idea of what you’re doing with your life​
 

• Plenty of valuable, and increasingly marketable practical skills like growing your own food, making useful crafts, feeling comfortable traveling in the wilderness, how to work with a community effectively, and many others​
 

• Interpersonal skills like Non-violent Communication, effective leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution, active listening, and facilitation of useful discussions​
 

• An increased level of confidence, independence, and self reliance that will empower you to make change in your own life and affect your community in positive ways

What’s the climate like?

The climate here is decidedly mild.  The summers are characterized by warm, humid mornings and stormy afternoons, while the fall, spring, and winter are quite temperate and rarely result in heavy snows.  The elevation of the homestead helps ease the summer heat, but isn’t so high that we get harsh winters.  It is an ideal climate for a long growing season and year round wilderness expeditions.

I want my child to attend, but they’re not interested. What do I do?

Well, be gentle and don’t push the idea too hard.  No one wants to be forced to do anything – especially at the 17-24 year old range when young people are transitioning into adulthood and seeking their own path.  Perhaps make the suggestion, but don’t get attached to the idea of your child doing anything they aren’t excited about.  It’s a recipe for unmotivated students suffering from parental resentment, in our experience.  This being said, plant the idea in their heads, show them the website, and have them get in touch with us!  A non-parental voice can make all the difference in your child’s motivations to take the non-traditional track.