GAP at SOAR
Welcome to GAP where participants experience real-life responsibilities in a real-life setting—interacting with peers, cooking meals, doing laundry, organizing their space, and planning for their next trip with a staff to participant ratio of 1:5.
All About GAP
During the Base Phase of the program, GAP participants will be offered internship or volunteership opportunities with local businesses and programs such as: Cataloochee Ranch, Cataloochee Ski Area, or The Swag of the Smokies. This experience will provide an opportunity to practice applying and interviewing for jobs as well as interpersonal skills. Soar partners with Southwestern Community College to offer college coursework in Outdoor Leadership to the GAP participants. GAP also offers certifications such as Lifeguarding and Wilderness First Aid.
Build Life Skills
During the GAP, participants develop and practice skills under the experienced supervision of the Soar Mentors. Each participant will work towards their own individual goals revolving around personal, professional, and holistic categories. While the staff provide guidance, these young adults are empowered to live as young adults making decisions for themselves. Soar Mentors will help facilitate their growth as they work toward becoming autonomous humans by the end of the GAP experience. The final expedition of each semester will be planned and facilitated in totality by the GAP participants with the Soar Mentors driving the van and providing supervision.
- Menu Planning, purchasing and preparation
- Budgeting / Fiscal Responsibility
- Organization / Responsibility of personal items
- Expedition Planning / Travel Expertise
- Laundry / Personal Hygiene
- Social Skills
- Community Involvement
- Goal Setting and Orientation
- Time Management
Gap Facilities & Campus
North Carolina Awaits!
GAP operates out of The Stables, a lodge built of antique barn logs. At an elevation of about 4,900 feet, the wraparound porch looks out over Smoky Mountain National Park; specifically, the Cataloochee Divide Trail.
The property features rustic cabins, tent platforms, a rock climbing wall, and some low ropes elements. There are trails leading to beautiful views that overlook the Balsam Mountain Range.
Enjoy Bunk Style Housing
The Stables has 3 floors: the recreation room basement, the main floor with a kitchen, tables, and bathrooms, and the upstairs bunk rooms. There are 2 bunk rooms with many bunk beds.
Next to The Stables, there is a commercial kitchen and office space. Meals are mostly eaten on the wraparound porch where there are many tables.
Weekly Expeditions
Plan weekly expeditions with fellow Gappers! From white water rafting to backpacking, gappers are guided by staff how to plan and prepare well for each expedition.
Close to Asheville
Gap East neighbors Cataloochee Ski Resort and Cataloochee Ranch.
How to Apply
Complete the online application here.
Required
- $100 Application Fee
- Academic Transcript & Current Grades
- IEP or 504 Plan (if available)
- Psychological Evaluation (if available)
- 2-3 References
