Name
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First Name
Last Name
Email
Phone
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Address
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Address 1
Address 2
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal Code
Country
Date of Birth
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MM
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YYYY
Will you be 18-23 years old by June 9, 2024?
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What Gap program are you applying for?
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Do you have a driver's license?
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Do you have a car and do you drive on a regular basis?
Have you ever had a roommate (other than siblings)?
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Describe your current level of physical activity?
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Do you require a special diet for any reason?
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Please list your current prescription medications.
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What are you hobbies?
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What are your favorite outdoor activities?
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How did you hear about The Gap at Sawmill Meadow?
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Family member
Friend
Online Search
Social Media
College or Career Fair
Event
Do you currently have specific college or career aspirations?
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Tell us about your high school and/or college experience?
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If you attended college, what was your area of focus and why did you leave?
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Are you or have you had any struggles with addictions (alcohol or other drugs, including nicotine or vaping, pornography, sex, video games, technology, shopping, gambling, etc.)?
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*Please note that having an addiction does not preclude you from being considered. We just want to know that you have a recovery plan in place.
Are you currently seeing a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Life Coach?
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Have you ever seen a LPC or Life Coach?
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Describe a challenge or hard thing that you have experienced.
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What is something that you would like the host couple to know about you?
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What major mistakes do you NOT regret? Why not?
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Describe a time you were asked to do something you didn't know how to do.
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Describe your work history.
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What do you think are your biggest contributions as an employee? What gifts do you bring to a workplace?
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Describe the boss who would get the very best from you. What do you expect from your boss?
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Tell about a time you had to be especially bold or honest in a work situation despite the risk.
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How would you describe your relationship with your parents/guardians?
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How would you describe your friendships?
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How would your friends describe you?
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What role did your parents/guardians have in your decision to apply to The Gap at Sawmill Meadow?
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What does living in community mean to you?
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Describe your experience with church.
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Describe your current relationship with Jesus.
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Describe the relationship you would like to have with Jesus?
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What do you feel the benefits of a Gap program would be in your particular situation?
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What about THIS Gap program is appealing to you?
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How would you describe your outlook on the future?
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The Gap at Sawmill Meadow is not a recovery program but more of a discovery program. What does that mean to you?
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What does "thriving in purpose" mean to you?
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What does "thriving in responsibility" mean to you? Are there specific areas in your life you would like to become more responsible?
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What would need to happen in this program for you to say that coming to The Gap was the best decision of your life?
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REFERENCE 1
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Non-peer, work-related reference
REFERENCE 2
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Non-familial adult (ex: teacher, mentor, pastor, or neighbor)
REFERENCE 3
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Parent/Guardian
Thank you for applying to The Gap at Sawmill Meadow!
YOU ARE ALMOST FINISHED!! PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE AND CLICK THE LINK TO COMPLETE THE 7 MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE.
We will be in touch soon.
What should I expect after applying?
Expect to have an initial panel interview with Gap advisory committee members and/or mentors. Expect to hear back from the panel within one week after your interview before a second interview is scheduled. Acceptances are handled on a rolling basis.
How much will it cost?
Our program is designed to be financially attainable to anyone who applies. We are structured such that each gap attendee will pay a monthly fee of $1100 to cover room and board and 70% of all meals July through March and is due on the 15th of each month from July through March. Additionally, there will be an $1100 non-refundable deposit to secure the spot of accepted applicants and will cover June housing and meals. Each accepted attendee will also be required to obtain $2500 in donations as a one time donation or a monthly, $250 donation.* Additional costs of the program are funded through generous donations from people, churches, and businesses who have a strong desire to invest in the lives of the next generation.
What about Thanksgiving Christmas breaks?
There will be several days around Christmas and Thanksgiving where there is no scheduled Gap programming and therefore an opportunity to request “time away.” However, each attendee will be responsible for meeting the expectations of their respective employers and any time away must be pre-approved by Gap staff prior to any travel arrangements being made. Recognize that the weeks around Christmas are a busy tourism season and many businesses employing Gap attendees will be counting on consistent employment during those weeks. There will be 3-4 nights around Christmas and Thanksgiving where the host couple will not be onsite.
Will I have a roommate?
Yes. Accommodations at The Spruce Lodge are similar to what one would expect in a dorm living situation with anywhere from 1-3 twin sized beds per living space sharing one bathroom. There are multiple common areas throughout the property attendees will have access to.
Do I have to get a job and how will I get a job?
All accepted attendees are expected to be employed for the length of the program and will have a virtual interview in April/May, prior to the program, with one of the businesses who have partnered with our organization. Working in the local, South Fork community has 3 purposes:
🦬 To learn the responsibility of self-funding a valuable Gap experience,
🦬 To practice being in the world as a follower of Jesus without becoming of the world.
🦬 To serve a community by filling positions that help close the gap of their workforce needs.
We will assist in connecting each accepted member with a hiring manager. Offers of employment will be extended by the business per their usual operational protocol and work will commence within the first week of arrival.
What does it mean that The Gap has secured local “business partnerships?”
Businesses in the local community that have “partnered” with The Gap at Sawmill Meadow have indicated that they will guarantee an average of 25 hours per week of work over the span of the program in order to ensure that each attendee will earn enough wages to pay for their experience. Additionally, they have agreed to allow time off for pre-determined, Gap sponsored activities, including monthly adventures and monthly seminar Saturdays. Each business has their own requirements of employment that each employee is expected to meet.
Do I need a car?
Yes, you will need your own transportation. There is no public transportation in South Fork. Additionally, having your own car will allow for exploration of the area during “off” times.
Is The Gap at Sawmill Meadow affiliated with a specific denomination or group?
No. The mission of our organization is inspired from the words of Jesus from Mark 12:29-31.
Will I earn any college credit while attending?
The Gap is not affiliated with any college nor do we offer college credit. Launching adults thriving in responsibility may look like an adult who independently seeks to enroll in online coursework, pays for it themself, and meets the other expectations of The Gap programming.
Do you allow friends and family to visit?
There will be specific dates during the program where friends and family may visit. Each attendee is expected to continue to fulfill their obligations of the program which include sleeping in their room and participating in all activities of the program.
Do I have to be a Christian?
All of The Gap programming and curriculum will revolve around the words of Jesus - “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” Beginning the program with a baseline understanding of who Jesus is and a desire to follow Him is helpful.
Are donations tax deductible?
All donations are tax deductible.
How will this Gap Year program prepare me for the world?
The Gap at Sawmill Meadow will allow new adults to PRACTICE being a Christ following, responsible adult:
🦬 in a safe space with a community of other new adults in the same life stage and
🦬 in the world through their employment and service experience.
Living as a follower of Jesus IN the world and not OF the world is most impactful when there is a community of like-minded believers who are supporting you and living that same experience. From that posture, habits are developed to be carried down the next path after this Gap experience.
What is the content source for the discipleship portion of the programming?
Several pastors are members of our advisory board and will be involved with the content creation, assimilation and delivery. Much of the spiritual formation content comes from or is adapted from practicingtheway.org. Similar to Practicing The Way, we believe that formation and growth comes from knowledge that leads to integration of practices that cultivate a desire to know Jesus, be with Jesus and then do what Jesus did. We believe that one of the most important elements to formation is living in community with others who are also actively integrating growth practices into their lives.
