PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A New Kind of Gap Year Experience
The Future Framers Gap Year is a hybrid, part-time, 9-month program for young people ages 17-25 who want to understand their world and make their mark on it. It is designed to support your self-directed gap year experience and leave you with the skills, knowledge, and connections to move powerfully toward your goals.
The program consists of two in-person camps, one in fall (Charter Camp) and one in spring (Capstone Camp). The rest of the sessions are online 6-8 hours per week. Please read more below or visit the Schedule page for detail.
We welcome applicants from around the world. Based on timezones, the program is well-suited for students in the Americas and Western Europe. Instruction is in English.
Program Approach & Values
EXPERIENTIAL
Experiential education enriches learning by providing hands-on, real-world experiences that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering skill development, personal growth, and confidence. We have “flipped classroom” activities giving students opportunities to lead.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
Our balanced and interconnected approach to health integrates physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, examining all of what makes a high quality of life.
JUSTICE, EQUITY. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We acknowledge and discuss power, history, and social justice. We aim for a wide diversity of identities and ideas throughout the program. Each student and team member brings unique and valuable life experience and knowledge, and we strive to create an environment that is safe for all to be their authentic selves.
SOCIAL & COLLABORATIVE
Social connection and collaboration within the program, with family and friends, and the broader community makes for deeper learning, health, happiness, and fun. Students are viewed as collaborators, leading in “flipped classroom” opportunities and co-creating portions of the program.
RELEVANT & FUTURE-FOCUSED
The program content is highly relevant and addresses how changes in environment, technology, and culture are impacting people now and in the future. Skills in long-term thinking and present day planning will be developed.
INQUIRY-BASED
We actively explore real-world questions, problems, or scenarios, encouraging curiosity-driven engagement, critical thinking, a deeper understanding of concepts, and lifelong learning skills.
IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY & SELF-EXPRESSION
Embracing imagination, creativity, and self-expression cultivates a vibrant learning environment that empowers students to think critically and problem-solve innovatively, building personal and societal resilience. Sharing ideas, emotions, and identity supports well-being and establishes meaningful connections with others.
FLEXIBLE & ADAPTIVE
We reach people where they are at and adapt to fit into participants’ lives whenever possible. The program is not static, but evolving based on best practices, changes in the world, and feedback–especially students, our primary stakeholders.
Self-Efficacy: The Key
A large emphasis of our program is on developing your confidence and ability to manifest your ideas in the real world. Self-efficacy is this belief in your ability to achieve your goals.
The Future Framers Gap Year develops participants' self-efficacy by providing frequent opportunities to develop goals, take action, create, and influence, building a portfolio that demonstrates success to yourself and others.
Instructors and speakers share proven tools and exercises that develop focus, self-discipline, organizational and project management skills, clarity of purpose, and sustained motivation. We also invite you to create and share your successful practices and celebrate your achievements with us.
Curriculum
The curriculum is eclectic, united by the three themes of the program: personal and professional development, the changing world, and action. The variety keeps things fresh and fun. Each hour "module" is created with our diverse staff, instructors, and program advisors, as well as feedback from you and your fellow students.
We believe that the deepest learning comes from experience, so there are daily exercises and opportunities to practice. Time for personal reflection and small group discussion are also built into each day's modules.
While the content and speakers may be political or provocative, we strive to present a variety of ideas and approaches to allow students to draw their own conclusions. Sensitive topics give us opportunities to practice effective communication, empathy, and openness to new ideas.
Our emphases on action, creation, and self-expression means that a portion of each week is focused on writing, making, or doing. In particular, we will be focused on writing and digital media: video, podcasts, social media, illustration, and more. Online safety, ethics, and healthy habits will be explored.
Social & Collaborative Learning
The Future Framers Gap Year takes a social and collaborative learning approach to promote interaction, cooperation, and feedback between learners and instructors.
All participants will join our internal social network as a private space to connect with their cohort as well as instructors, staff, and mentors.
This approach elevates the learning experience and cultivates a sense of community during your gap year journey and beyond.
Hybrid
Looking for flexibility in your gap year? Look no further. The Future Framers Gap Year is designed to give you a combination of adventure travel and life skills curriculum while leaving your schedule open for work, volunteering, or additional travel and courses.
The program organizes Fall and Spring in-person camp experiences that give students a chance to build friendships within the cohort, meet the Future Framers team, discover exciting new adventures, and have fun.
Key Dates 2024-25
PROGRAM BEGINS
CHARTER CAMP
WINTER BREAK
SPRING BREAK
CAPSTONE CAMP
COMPLETION
What is success?
Success in the program is measured by you. At the start of the program, we help you to define your short and longer-term goals.
We take many opportunities over the course of the year to reflect on progress towards your goals, adjustments to your goals, and whether the program can support you in a different way.
Regular attendance and participation in the two camps and online group time is the only requirement. Beyond that, you choose your level of engagement. Full participation will deepen your learning about yourself and the world, and build confidence and healthy habits.