If you are looking to lead a gap year program but are having trouble finding organizations to apply to, here is a list of 15 gap year organizations to help you find a job.
Photo Credit: Michael Baron
What to Know
What is a 'gap year' program?
The gap year programs these companies provide are generally for people between the ages of 17-24 to spend a fall or spring semester traveling to gain skills and experiences. They offer domestic and international programs that focus on aspects of cultural emersion, service learning, outdoor education, and more.
What does a gap instructor do?
A gap instructor (also referred to as a team leader, gap leader, expedition leader, etc...) leads a team of young adults on their gap semester/year from start to finish. While each company has specific tasks and expectations of their instructors, leaders generally will be in charge of travel logistics on the trip, overall budgeting, communication with accommodations and partner companies they will be working with, and facilitating/leading meetings, activities, overall group dynamics, and more.
When do gap year programs hire their instructors?
While gap year programs hire year round due to unexpected job vacancies, most hiring processes take place 6 months before the start of the program. Fall programs themselves usually run from September to November. Spring programs tend to run from February to March/April. It is common for these organization to do their hiring from within first and then look at outside applicants.
What looks good on a resume for the job?
Generally companies are looking for people over the age of 23 or 25+ who have experience working with young adults ages 18-24. While some provide the opportunity to gain a medical certification, they usually ask for a Wilderness First Responder certificate or equivalent. Your resume should spotlight your experience as a leader and showcase your group management ability. It should also reflect any type of skills that they advertise on their programs, such as; environmental education, service work and volunteering, outdoor skills, travel abroad, language ability, etc...
What if I do not fit all the requirement?
Just because you do not check off every box does not mean you are not as qualified as everyone else applying. As long as you check most of the boxes, I suggest applying anyway. While these jobs can be competitive, many companies do need a lot of instructors. If you need more experience or want to test the waters first, take a look at these Summer Programs to lead a summer trip.
How/Where can I apply?
Each link below will bring you to the program's hiring page. If there is nothing posted or no page to be found, it may mean that they are not currently hiring and to check back later. Some programs will have an application for you to submit, and others will ask you to send a resume and cover letter to the hiring manager. Follow the instructions each company has outlined in order to apply.
Gap Programs & Organization
1. Carpe Diem
Placement Locations: USA (AZ & HI), Central America (Guatemala & Costa Rica), Asia (India, Nepal, Thailand, & Cambodia), Europe (Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, & the UK), South America (Ecuador & Peru), and Oceania (Australia & New Zealand).
About Their Programs: They offer 10 different spring and fall gap programs for youth ages 18-22. Each program focuses on multiple topics such as; cultural emersion, service learning, outdoor adventures, language studies, community engagement, environmental conservation and more.
Employee Requirements: Direct experience living, working, or independently traveling in the regions for which you apply. Have experience leading/facilitating groups (preferably with students age 17-22) and have a WFA and CPR certification. There is no minimum age limit but they normally hire ages 25+.
Placement Locations: Oceania (Fiji, Australia, & New Zealand), the USA (HI), Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, Nepal, & India), Europe (Greece & Croatia) South America (Peru, Ecuador, & the Galapagos), and Central America (Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, & Guatemala).
About Their Programs: They offer 15+ different spring and fall gap semester programs. Their programs focus on blending experiential education, cultural immersion, personal & leadership development, volunteer & community service, and ecotourism & sustainability. They also offer summer programs.
Employee Requirements: Instructors are usually ages 25-33, have a WFR certification, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, have experience leading groups on multi-day trips, are fluent in English, and have experience traveling abroad.
Placement Locations: Africa (South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, & Uganda), Europe (Spain & Portugal), the USA (HI, AK, MT, WY, CO, UT, AZ), Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, Sumatra, India, & Nepal), Oceania (Fiji & Australia), South America (Peru & Patagonia), and Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, & Belize).
About Their Programs: They offer 9 different spring and fall gap semester programs that focus on one or more of the following themes: Environment & Conservation, Literacy & Education, Public Health, The Movement of People, Indigenous Rights & Histories, and Social Justice. They also offer summer programs.
Employee Requirements: Ages 23+, WFR certified, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, experience either traveling abroad or guiding in the outdoors, and experience leading groups. Preference is given to those who can speak the language of the host country (specifically Spanish).
4. Gap Force
Placement Locations: Oceania (Fiji & Australia), Central America (Costa Rica), Europe (the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, & Germany), Africa (South Africa), Asia (Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), and South America (Peru & Ecuador).
About Their Programs: They offer 16 gap programs in the spring and fall that focus on one or more of the following topics; Adventure Travel, Marine Conservation, Outdoor Course(s), and Volunteering. They have summer programs as well.
Employee Requirements: Have experience with young adults or students, have first aid training, and a clean DBS or criminal record background check.
Placement Locations: Caribbean (Bahamas), the USA (ME, CO, TX, UT, CA, OR, FL, NC, MN, WA), Central America (Panama & Costa Rica), and South America (Patagonia).
About Their Programs: They offer 12 different spring and fall programs, as well as many summer programs. Their programs focus heavily on hiking, canoeing, sea kayaking, climbing, backpacking, camping, or a mix of each outdoor skill/sport. Most programs have a heavy emphasis on developing leadership skills.
Employee Requirements: Ages 21+, have a WFR certification, and high & low ropes facilitation experience.
Placement Locations: Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Bhutan, & China), Central America (Guatemala), South America (Peru & Bolivia), Europe (British Columbia), Africa (Senegal & Morocco) and the USA (CO & Lake Superior area).
About Their Programs: They offer 12 gap semester programs rooted in responsible travel and immersive hands-on experiences. They have summer programs as well.
Employee Requirements: Have experience and have strong contacts in the location/region you are applying to lead in, have language skills related to the program(s) applying for, are WFR certified, and have experience teaching and/or leading groups.
Placement Locations: USA Regions: Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Southwestern States.
About Their Programs: They offer 1 spring and 2 fall gap programs for ages 18+. Each program focuses heavily on backcountry skills such as; camping, hiking, canoeing, etc... They also have summer programs.
Employee Requirements: Ages 21+, have an excellent driving record, are WFR certified, have experience teaching and leading youth, and have a college degree or be in the process of completing your degree.
8. NOLS
Placement Locations: Africa (Tanzania), Asia (India), Oceania (New Zealand), South America (Patagonia), Mexico, Canada, and the USA (AK, WA, OR, CO, SD, MT, ID, UT, NV, NM, WY).
About Their Programs: They offer 12 gap programs that focus heavily on hiking, canoeing, sea kayaking, climbing, backpacking, camping, or a mix of each outdoor skill/sport. They also have summer program opportunities.
Employee Requirements: Qualifications not stated. They do expect their instructors to be educators and be WFR certified. Instructors must complete a NOLS instructor course.
9. SEA Mester
Placement Locations: At sea sailing to destinations around Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
About Their Programs: Their programs are focused on sailing and many positions require knowledge of sailing, scuba diving, marine science, or experience at sea. They offer 6 spring and fall semester sailing programs. They also have summer programs.
Employee Requirements: Be fluent in English and be CPR/First Aid certified. Other requirements are job specific and revolve around sailing or ocean education. They prefer instructors to sign a one year contract.
10. Semester at Sea
Placement Locations: Onboard the ship, sailing to locations across: Africa (Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Morocco, & Ghana), Asia (Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, the UAE, & Jordan), and Europe (Portugal, Spain, & Greece).
About Their Programs: Their programs run more like a study abroad course, with the students participating in classes during sea days. There is no elements of camping/backpacking. They have spring and fall itineraries.
Employee Requirements: They have many types of positions on board and requirements are specific to each role. Preference is given to those who can commit to two semesters.
11. Adventure Treks
Placement Locations: The USA (Pacific Northwest & NC) and Costa Rica.
About Their Programs:They currently offer 2 fall semester programs that focus on outdoor skills such as; backpacking, canoeing, wilderness medicine, and hiking. They do offer multiple summer programs.
Employee Requirements: Ages 21+, have a bachelors degree or be in the process of completing one, have experience working with youth, have experience leading in outdoor education, have proficient outdoor skills, and a clean driving record.
12. Rustic Pathways
Placement Locations: Asia (Thailand), South America (Peru), Central America (Costa Rica & the Dominican Republic), and Oceania (Fiji).
About Their Programs: They offer 2 spring and 2 fall gap programs for students ages 17-22. They have multiple summer programs too.
Employee Requirements: Ages 22+, fully vaccinated, CPR/First Aid certified, proficient in the language of program placements (specifically Spanish speaking host countries), a valid drivers license, experience working with young adults, experience living abroad, and relevant experience as related to their program focuses.
Placement Locations: USA (CO, UT, AZ) and Patagonia.
About Their Programs: They offer one spring semester, one fall semester, and one year long gap program for students ages 18-22. They also have a spring and fall semester for high school students ages 15-18. Their programs focus on outdoor skills such as hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, and skiing. They offer summer only trip opportunities too.
Employee Requirements: Unknown.
14. SOAR
Placement Locations: USA: Wyoming & North Carolina.
About Their Programs: They offer 2 separate full year gap programs for youth ages 18-24 who have ADHD and/or other learning disabilities. It is not a wilderness therapy program but all programs focus on outdoor education and wilderness skills. They offer summer programs as well.
Employee Requirements: Ages 21+, have a WFA and a Lifeguard certification, and 4 years of college or professional experience in the following fields; special and secondary education, counseling, or outdoor and experiential education. You must be able to lift up to 60 pounds, hike up to 10 miles a day, and paddle up to 20 miles a day.
Placement Locations: At sea, departing from New Zealand.
About Their Programs: Their programs are focused on sailing and many positions require knowledge of sailing, scuba diving, marine science, or experience at sea. They offer 1 spring and 1 fall semester sailing program and each has an 'on shore' component.
Employee Requirements: They have different positions on board and requirements are specific to each role. Most surround experiences such as; cooking, sailing, marine science, and vessel management.
Bonus
These companies have programs all around the world and offer more than just semester or gap years abroad. It can be challenging to find a gap instructor job due to how their programs run.
Conclusion
Hopefully this list makes things easier for you to find the perfect job leading a gap program. If you like the idea of being a gap leader but are looking for a smaller time commitment, check out these companies that have Summer Programs where you can apply to lead trips during the summer. Good luck during your gap year!