Your Gap Year
At A Glance
While living together in a large community home, students and Resident Leaders will practice regular rhythms of meals, chores, recreation, adventure, study, mentorship, prayer and worship.
Know
Study scripture, engage in worship and practice regular times of prayer. Learn new spiritual disciplines and come to know more of God and the way of Jesus.
Grow
Witness different expressions of Christian vocation. Work, serve and engage in the local Hamilton community. Seek justice and reconciliation, locally and globally.
Prepare
Discern future pathways in a supportive community while exploring outside your comfort zone. Be mentored to discover your gifts and passions.
2025-2026 Program Schedule
Curious about what your gap year will look like? Below is a glimpse into the key activities for each term, from adventure trips to community life.
* Please note that the following dates represent key activities but do not include all program activities throughout the year.
First Term - Fall 2025
| Sept 1, 2025 (Labour Day) | Move-In Day & Welcome Details for move-in day will be provided in August. |
| Sept 2-4 | Orientation, introductions and settling into Hamilton |
| Sept 5-7 | Lessons at Russet House Farm |
| Sept 7-19 | Wilderness trip up north with Coldwater Canada trip, including 9-night canoe trip through Temagami |
| Oct → Dec | Life in Hamilton, exploring the Biblical Story, learning from Indigenous communities, and preparing for Field Placements and Cross Culture Service Trip |
| Oct 9-13 | Weekend Home – Thanksgiving/Reading Break |
| Oct 30-Nov 1 | Trip to Windstone Farm |
| Nov 12-16 | Trip to Manitoulin Island |
| Nov 21-23 | Weekend Home |
| Dec 1-5 | Amazing Race & End-of-Term Retreat |
| Dec 12 | Head home for Christmas |
| Dec 12, 2025-Jan 4, 2026 | Christmas Break |
Second Term - Winter 2026
| Jan 4, 2026 | Move back to 75 Blake St. |
| Jan 9-28 | Cross Culture Service Learning Trip to El Salvador with Resonate Global Mission OR the Southern USA with World Renew DRS |
| Feb 13-15 | Weekend Home – Family Day |
| Feb 5 → Apr 2 | Field Placements: These will be determined in the fall term |
| Feb 25-28 | Coldwater Canada Winter Camping Trip |
| Mar 6-8 | 48-Hour Prayer Weekend |
| Mar 20-21 | Retreat |
| Apr 3-6 | Easter Weekend at Home |
| Apr 6-11 | Coldwater Canada Backpacking Trip in Virginia |
| Apr 12-17 | Final Projects & Goodbyes |
| Apr 18 | Act Five Graduation & Move Out Day |
Weekly Schedules at a Glance
These schedules give a sense of what to expect during Act Five’s times at Blake St, though details week-to-week are subject to slight changes.
First Term
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Morning: Morning Coffee: Info to Start the Week | Morning: | TECH-FREE Morning: Sleep in | Morning: | Morning: | Morning: House Breakfast & Church | |
Morning: | Morning: | Morning: | Morning: | FLEX FRIDAYS: Field Trips, Workshops, Trip Prep, and Fun | Optional Fun, Trips & Events | Sabbath Rest |
| Afternoon: Study Hall, Grocery Shopping, Chores & Free time | Afternoon: Study Hall, Chores & Free time | Afternoon: Committee Meetings, Chores & Community Fun | Afternoon: Study Hall, Grocery Shopping, Chores & Free time | |||
 | | | | | ||
| Dinner | Dinner |  | Community Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner |
| Evening: Play & Pray Night | Evening: House Meeting | Evening: Free Evening | Evening: Evening with Storytellers | Evening: Free Evening/ Events in the City | Evening: Evensong |
Second Term
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Morning: Morning Coffee: Info to Start the Week | Morning: | TECH-FREE Morning: Sleep in | Morning: | Morning: | Morning: House Breakfast & Church | |
Morning: | Field Placements | Morning: | Field Placements | FLEX FRIDAYS: Field Trips, Workshops, Trip Prep, and Fun | Optional Fun, Trips & Events | Sabbath Rest |
| Afternoon: Study Hall, Grocery Shopping, Chores & Free time | Afternoon: Committee Meetings, Chores & Community Fun | |||||
| | | | | ||
| Dinner | Dinner | | Community Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner |
| Evening: Play & Pray Night | Evening: House Meeting | Evening: Free Evening | Evening: Evening with Storytellers | Evening: Free Evening/ Events in the City | Evening: Evensong |
Soul Care
Weekly Spiritual Formation Sessions
Body Care
Exercise, Sports & Physical Activity
Spaghetti Wednesdays
Bi-Weekly meal open to all family, friends, neighbours and other guests OR dinner with neighbouring community homes
Morning Walk, Prayer, and Quiet Time
Morning circuit through the neighbourhood followed by a prayer liturgy and time for personal devotions/ journaling/ reading.
Class Time
For a full listing of all courses that are part of the Gap Year program, go here.
